Door Locks
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 307
Likes: 4
From: Thousand Oaks Calif.
Door Locks
On my 81 I never locked the doors because every time I unlocked the doors, it took so much effort that I was concerned I was going to break the key in the lock. I hit nearly everything with WD40 with no success. This problem is with both the drivers and passenger doors.
If I hit the lock / unlock button the doors lock and unlock so I figured everything was plugged in and working.
I purchased a rebuild kit for my windows so I can quiet all the raddling and figured while I was in there I replace the door locks hoping that would help.
After I pulled the door panels off I noticed something interesting.
On the passenger door there is a what seems like an actuator that goes around the door lock and has a plug into it.
On the drives side, there is a plug but there is no actuator around the lock so it looks like somebody removed it and never replaced it.
When I go to Eklers to find a replacement I find "Corvette Power Door Lock Actuator, Electric, 1978-1984 Replacement Actuator"
Part Number 27081
But it doesn’t look like the one on the passenger side. Now granted it’s not easy to see though the 4x3 inch area that I can view it.
Is this the correct part?
Thanks
If I hit the lock / unlock button the doors lock and unlock so I figured everything was plugged in and working.
I purchased a rebuild kit for my windows so I can quiet all the raddling and figured while I was in there I replace the door locks hoping that would help.
After I pulled the door panels off I noticed something interesting.
On the passenger door there is a what seems like an actuator that goes around the door lock and has a plug into it.
On the drives side, there is a plug but there is no actuator around the lock so it looks like somebody removed it and never replaced it.
When I go to Eklers to find a replacement I find "Corvette Power Door Lock Actuator, Electric, 1978-1984 Replacement Actuator"
Part Number 27081
But it doesn’t look like the one on the passenger side. Now granted it’s not easy to see though the 4x3 inch area that I can view it.
Is this the correct part?
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 307
Likes: 4
From: Thousand Oaks Calif.
So I have a few more clues but that only brings up more questions.
On the passenger side door the item around the door lock looks like this:
On the drivers side it looks like this:
If I go to Ecklers the only item they have looks like this:
When I talked with them they said they haven't seen this before.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
On the passenger side door the item around the door lock looks like this:
On the drivers side it looks like this:
If I go to Ecklers the only item they have looks like this:
When I talked with them they said they haven't seen this before.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
I'm wondering if what you have around the passenger door lock is part of an aftermarket alarm system, that maybe is non functioning now? I found door alarm wiring in the driver's door on mine.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 307
Likes: 4
From: Thousand Oaks Calif.
Ahh. now that makes sense.
So back to my orginal question. My door locks are fairly hard to unlock. I've WD40'ed everything from the lock, all the rods to the lock assembly. Is this a typical problem?
Thanks
So back to my orginal question. My door locks are fairly hard to unlock. I've WD40'ed everything from the lock, all the rods to the lock assembly. Is this a typical problem?
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,692
Likes: 29
From: Texas
I also have the same problem and also wonder about breaking off the door key inside. But, when I keep mine WD40'd, the alarm system does open and close the lock. But the key is always stiff.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 202
Likes: 1
From: Millstone Twp NJ
Just a thought....are you using the original key or are you using a duplicate key? Sometimes the cuts on a duplicate key are a bit off and while they do open the lock it could be a bit stiff....Pete
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Coastside California
My 81 has the same problem. Using power locks generally doesn't work, manually locking/unlocking from inside requires vice-grip strength, and using the key runs the risk of snapping it off. After some research, I found that the problem may actually be with old power lock actuators. I'll try to find the source, or at least cite for reference.
I was skeptical at first, but the article referenced all the problems I stated above. Anyway, everything indicates that by changing out the actuators, locking the doors both manually and by power switches will be improved.
I haven't had the chance to do this change for myself yet (next on the list), but from what I found, this points to being the solution we're looking for. Good luck.
I was skeptical at first, but the article referenced all the problems I stated above. Anyway, everything indicates that by changing out the actuators, locking the doors both manually and by power switches will be improved.
I haven't had the chance to do this change for myself yet (next on the list), but from what I found, this points to being the solution we're looking for. Good luck.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Coastside California
Forgot to add that the "nub-thing" in your pics for the passenger side should also be on the driver side - at least it's there on my 81. It has to do with the factory alarm and being able to arm/disarm from the door locks via key.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
I've had a similar problem with the door locks being very hard to operate manually on my power lock doors. What I found was if I disconnected the linkage from the power actuator, it was not hard to turn the key any more. My resolution was to oil the shaft on the lock actuator so it slides in and out easily. It made all the difference in the world.
