Need Help. Door won't unlock!
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
Need Help. Door won't unlock!
The driver's side door on my '80 won't open. 
Just for background, the power locks don't work. I always leave it unlocked. (i know, not a good idea, but i just bought the car and haven't fixed it yet)
Yesterday, I let a friend drive it. Windows were down, t-tops were off. I get in the car last night and the door won't open. Using the key on the outside doesn't work, pulling the interior handle doesn't work, forcing the mechanism open doesn't work. When I turn the key in the outside lock, I can hear some type of electrical clicking, but nothing.
What do I do?
Climbing in the passenger seat just doesn't look very cool.
Any suggestions? Please help.
Just for background, the power locks don't work. I always leave it unlocked. (i know, not a good idea, but i just bought the car and haven't fixed it yet)
Yesterday, I let a friend drive it. Windows were down, t-tops were off. I get in the car last night and the door won't open. Using the key on the outside doesn't work, pulling the interior handle doesn't work, forcing the mechanism open doesn't work. When I turn the key in the outside lock, I can hear some type of electrical clicking, but nothing.
What do I do?
Climbing in the passenger seat just doesn't look very cool.
Any suggestions? Please help.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by fast idle
you need to remove the interior door panel to get at the mechanism.sorry there is no other way to my knowing.real fun with the door closed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,477
Likes: 1,495
From: Little Rock AR
Yes it is possible. I had the same problem with my '80 a few months ago. The lock mechanisim is jammed with 25 years of crud and dried grease. You can squirt it with PB Blaster and try to hope for the best. This is the best way. 
The other way is to use a hacksaw blade in the door jamb from the interior side of the car and cut the striker off. It sounds worse than it is and the striker is cheap and easy to replace. just be sure the mechanisim is clean and working right before you shut the door again.
-Mark.
The other way is to use a hacksaw blade in the door jamb from the interior side of the car and cut the striker off. It sounds worse than it is and the striker is cheap and easy to replace. just be sure the mechanisim is clean and working right before you shut the door again.
-Mark.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 511
Likes: 4
From: Phoenix AZ
Does the door mechanism have the plasitc theft resistent sheid still in place? This is plastic cover that prevents easy acess of the latch mechanism from the window. With the window down look down inside the door at the latch mechanism. Can you see it, or is it covered by a piece of black plastic?
If its there, you'll probably have to take the interior door cover off.
If the cover is not there, you may be able to pop the lock at the mechanism. Looking down at the mechanism, the rood connection to the outside is the latch and the one to the inside is the lock. Unfortuanly if it's like mine was operating the lever did not unlock the door. I had to hose it down with penetrating oil and wd-40 quite a bit (through the window).
Good luck
If its there, you'll probably have to take the interior door cover off.
If the cover is not there, you may be able to pop the lock at the mechanism. Looking down at the mechanism, the rood connection to the outside is the latch and the one to the inside is the lock. Unfortuanly if it's like mine was operating the lever did not unlock the door. I had to hose it down with penetrating oil and wd-40 quite a bit (through the window).
Good luck
