Door lock
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 385
Likes: 3
From: Leesburg VA
Door lock
OK, so I have looked at all my reference material and still don't have a good feel for how the lock cylinder connects to whatever mechanism actually locks the door.
My current situation is that I can lock the door from the inside, but I can not unlock the door using the key from the outside. The key turns the appropriate amount, but it feels like it is not connected to anything. I have not taken the door panel off yet, but would like to work on this soon. Anyone have a picture of what everything should look like once I get the door panel off? I am hoping that this will be a simple matter of reconnecting the locking rod that has come loose, but we all know...very few jobs are as easy on a Corvette as they would appear to be.
Thanks a million!
John
My current situation is that I can lock the door from the inside, but I can not unlock the door using the key from the outside. The key turns the appropriate amount, but it feels like it is not connected to anything. I have not taken the door panel off yet, but would like to work on this soon. Anyone have a picture of what everything should look like once I get the door panel off? I am hoping that this will be a simple matter of reconnecting the locking rod that has come loose, but we all know...very few jobs are as easy on a Corvette as they would appear to be.
Thanks a million!
John
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 230
Likes: 7
From: Monroe Michigan
This will help a lot once you pull the door panel off, just scroll down to the locks & doorhandles section! 
Link: http://tech.corvettecentral.com/2011...glass-service/
Link: http://tech.corvettecentral.com/2011...glass-service/
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 789
Likes: 129
From: Los Banos CA
The outside lock cylinder has a 'pawl' that attaches to the lock cylinder that moves up and down when you lock and unlock the cylinder. This pawl (you can look up a picture of one) has a hole in one end that goes onto a lever on the door lock/latch mechanism (no clip, it just slips over the lever). There is no 'connecting' rod, but it is possible that the pawl slipped off of the lever, or that the pawl itself fell off of the lock cylinder.
BTW, I'm assuming that both lock AND unlock work correctly from inside, and neither one works from the outside. If that's not the case, then forget everything I just said.
I just removed/repaired my locks/latches/door handles on both sides, as neither lock was functioning (inside OR outside)....fun time!
BTW, I'm assuming that both lock AND unlock work correctly from inside, and neither one works from the outside. If that's not the case, then forget everything I just said.
I just removed/repaired my locks/latches/door handles on both sides, as neither lock was functioning (inside OR outside)....fun time!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 385
Likes: 3
From: Leesburg VA
Thanks everyone! Looks like it should not be too much trouble unless pieces have fallen off and are down inside the door...
I will let everyone know the results after I get in there and get it fixed.
John
P.S. Bradley you are correct in your assumption. The inside lock works correctly.
I will let everyone know the results after I get in there and get it fixed.
John
P.S. Bradley you are correct in your assumption. The inside lock works correctly.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 385
Likes: 3
From: Leesburg VA
OK, finally got around to taking my door panel off. The locking cylinder is connected to the arm as approriate. Here is a picture of what I am seeing:
When I turn the outside lock, that shaft turns within the arm...the arm does not move. When I turn the inside lock, everything moves correctly, including the arm on the lock cylinder. I am confused as to what is happening.
The only issue is that when I use the key in the lock cylinder, it turns freely in that arm. The arm won't turn to unlock the door from the outside.
Any ideas?
John
When I turn the outside lock, that shaft turns within the arm...the arm does not move. When I turn the inside lock, everything moves correctly, including the arm on the lock cylinder. I am confused as to what is happening.
The only issue is that when I use the key in the lock cylinder, it turns freely in that arm. The arm won't turn to unlock the door from the outside.
Any ideas?
John
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 789
Likes: 129
From: Los Banos CA
There is supposed to be some rotational movement of the cylinder before the arm starts to move. This gives the ability to rotate the key to either the lock or unlock position, and then move the key back to the center position (to be able to remove the key). I think you either have a bad cylinder shaft or pawl (that's the 'arm' part) that is allowing too much movement (shaft is freely spinning without moving the arm), or something is jamming, and not allowing you to turn the key all the way.
If you 'help' the arm from inside of the door while turning the key, does it lock/unlock?
P.S. I 'think' my key almost turns 90 degrees both ways when locking/unlocking. You should compare the key movement in this door versus the key movement in the other door.
If you 'help' the arm from inside of the door while turning the key, does it lock/unlock?
P.S. I 'think' my key almost turns 90 degrees both ways when locking/unlocking. You should compare the key movement in this door versus the key movement in the other door.
Last edited by bradleyb66; Dec 16, 2014 at 05:02 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 385
Likes: 3
From: Leesburg VA
UPDATE: Went back out to the garage...sprayed the crap out of all the linkages and lock cylinder and applied some good old fashioned force, and it is working. Not smooth as silk, but the key will now lock and unlock the door.
Another item checked off the list.
John
Another item checked off the list.
John
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