1980 Door problems... help
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Winnipeg
1980 Door problems... help
Hi guys,
I was wondering if anyone knows of a way to open my driver side door.
the latch seems stuck...the key will turn but it won't engage any further.
I can see most of the moving parts if I roll down the windows all the way and look from above.
I did try to remove the door panels but no luck.
or do I bring it to a chevy dealer.
does anyone have a detailed drawing of the door locking system?
thx in advance.
I was wondering if anyone knows of a way to open my driver side door.
the latch seems stuck...the key will turn but it won't engage any further.
I can see most of the moving parts if I roll down the windows all the way and look from above.
I did try to remove the door panels but no luck.
or do I bring it to a chevy dealer.
does anyone have a detailed drawing of the door locking system?
thx in advance.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Avon Connecticut
i had the same problem,
mine was caused by my lock inside was pushed in halfway,
pushed in enough to engage the lock
but not pushed in enough for when you turn the key it pushes it back out.
so after 20 minutes of jimmi-ing my key and shaking the door handle it eventually came loose.
i just dont bother locking my doors any more.
(well maybe I should seeing as my car starts without a key now...
)
mine was caused by my lock inside was pushed in halfway,
pushed in enough to engage the lock
but not pushed in enough for when you turn the key it pushes it back out.
so after 20 minutes of jimmi-ing my key and shaking the door handle it eventually came loose.
i just dont bother locking my doors any more.
(well maybe I should seeing as my car starts without a key now...
)
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
To start spray down the door lock mechanism with wd 40 and then start working the lock inner and outer and both inner and outer handles.If you do get it to open it could have just been gummed up or worn enough that its going to take some adjustment.If it is the adjustment thing then do it now since the door is open-next time the wd40 might not work.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 0
From: San Diego California
To start spray down the door lock mechanism with wd 40 and then start working the lock inner and outer and both inner and outer handles.If you do get it to open it could have just been gummed up or worn enough that its going to take some adjustment.If it is the adjustment thing then do it now since the door is open-next time the wd40 might not work.
WD40 worked on my 80. Now I keep the locks and hinges better lubricated.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 124
From: Wichita KS
You may need to unlatch the lock with a coat hanger, etc.
Remove the PASSENGER'S side door panel.
With the passenger's side panel off, you can examine the lock mechanism and determine where the coat hanger needs to go to unlatch the lock.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,202
Likes: 4,187
From: Kannapolis NC
If the outside door handle is partially depressed (the rod that goes from it down to the latch ***'y) the door won't unlock. If you can reach down with a wire or coat hanger and pull up slightly on that rod, it may open. The handle cover itself may spring back up. It has a separate spring from the spring on the mechanism. I finally got mine open this way and then adjusted the nut around the rod for a longer throw after I got in. You might also try pushing down on the handle cover and releasing quickly to try to get it to pop up just enough to get past the point where the door lock will work. If this is your problem, the inside door lock also won't slide as far as it normally should. Compare it to the passenger side.
