Cannot open door

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Feb 13, 2005 | 07:06 PM

brking

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From: blue ridge georgia

Cannot open door

On my 1975 coupe, I cannot open the passenger door from either the outside or inside. I assume door mechanism is broke. Does any one have an idea how to get open to repair (like try to remove door panel, etc).

Thanks
Don

Feb 13, 2005 | 08:10 PM

GTR1999

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From: Connecticut, USA

Is the lock jammed? I had htis happend with every C3 I had and several friends too. Look in the archives if they're working because Ed T posted pictures of where to use a long screw drive to pop the latch. If the lock is jammed I working the inside lock **** and handle together freed it up to open the door, it took a while though. Once you get it open then remove the lathc assembly and clean it with brake cleaner and lube it with white grease , install and adjust the handle throws.
I never tried to remove the door panel with the door closed not sure you'll get the front panel screws.
Gary

Feb 13, 2005 | 09:10 PM

autorecycler

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I just had this worked on my blue 82, what they did was push down the outside handle and spray down the mechanism with some WD40 and now it works just fine....

Feb 13, 2005 | 09:22 PM

Corvus

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From: Elizabeth New Jersey

Yup had same problem, besides a rod being missing, only problem was 30 year old dirt/grease that messed up the mechanisim.

Feb 13, 2005 | 11:14 PM

OneBrokenSmile07

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From: Manahawkin NJ

My 81 seems to keep me out more than it keeps theifs out.

The locks always break.

Feb 14, 2005 | 06:46 PM

brking

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From: blue ridge georgia

Thanks guys will try these procedures this weekend to open.

Don

Feb 14, 2005 | 07:20 PM

1970 Dave

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From: Minnesota

Ed T is exactlly correct--however--there is a plastic shield covering the latch mechanism to prevent this exact thing--something the GM engineers much have come up with-- the only way to deal with it is look down the window slot with the window down and take a flashlight and look down there--if it is there about the only way is to take a thin screwdriver and slowing go around it and basically break it as you go--once broken it will just fall down to the bottom of the door panel to be dealt with once you get the door open and the panel off--kinda of a PITA

SEMPER FI--1970 Dave

Feb 14, 2005 | 08:18 PM

Aflac

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From: Smalltownville Michigan

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St. Jude Donor '09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corvus

Yup had same problem, besides a rod being missing, only problem was 30 year old dirt/grease that messed up the mechanisim.

I had a drivers door give me nothing but fits! after about an hour of jiggling and sweating, it finally popped open. I took the latch assembly out and sprayed it with brake cleaner then re lubed it.. works like a champ now!