Muddy
Locked door...Q.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 25
door lock.......
Hi muddy......it happened to me too. on my 81. tripple a time. they can get it open, but tell them in advance so they send out the right gang member. on another note........were in merced ca. you guys ever go to cherries jublie thing in monterey? pretty cool for the price. and gets us out of the valley heat for the weekend. I think we will take the vette this time. good luck with the door.......bryan.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,347
Likes: 9
From: Salinas Ca.
Hi muddy......it happened to me too. on my 81. tripple a time. they can get it open, but tell them in advance so they send out the right gang member. on another note........were in merced ca. you guys ever go to cherries jublie thing in monterey? pretty cool for the price. and gets us out of the valley heat for the weekend. I think we will take the vette this time. good luck with the door.......bryan.
Yea bring the Vette.Speakinf of shows...have you seen this link? http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...nterested.html
Check it out...and come along!!! Here is my email. donniechaney@aol.com Muddy (Don)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,049
Likes: 124
From: Wichita KS
With the window DOWN on the offending side, you will have enough room to get a tool (coat hanger) down into the door lock mechanism.
The problem may be a worn door handle mechanism or a gunky lock.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Check out this thread... there are lots of excellent pictures...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...ock-101-a.html
Scroll down to DB's thread and he has an excellent picture of the door lock mechanism with the "key" lever you must push to release the door latch. Once you find the lever, you can reach down from the window opening with a long screwdriver and place the blade on the lever. Give the screwdriver handle a sharp blow and the latch will release. You can do this with nothing more than having the window down all the way.
Here's the picture... copy it to your files or print it out... if you own these cars long enough, you're gonna need it...
Good luck... GUSTO
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...ock-101-a.html
Scroll down to DB's thread and he has an excellent picture of the door lock mechanism with the "key" lever you must push to release the door latch. Once you find the lever, you can reach down from the window opening with a long screwdriver and place the blade on the lever. Give the screwdriver handle a sharp blow and the latch will release. You can do this with nothing more than having the window down all the way.
Here's the picture... copy it to your files or print it out... if you own these cars long enough, you're gonna need it...
Good luck... GUSTO
Last edited by GUSTO14; May 15, 2009 at 07:02 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
First thing to check is make sure the outside door handle is all the way up. If its sagging, the lock mechanism won't unlock, or if the linkage to the outside door handle is out of adjustment, same issue.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,347
Likes: 9
From: Salinas Ca.
Check out this thread... there are lots of excellent pictures...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...ock-101-a.html
Scroll down to DB's thread and he has an excellent picture of the door lock mechanism with the "key" lever you must push to release the door latch. Once you find the lever, you can reach down from the window opening with a long screwdriver and place the blade on the lever. Give the screwdriver handle a sharp blow and the latch will release. You can do this with nothing more than having the window down all the way.
Here's the picture... copy it to your files or print it out... if you own these cars long enough, you're gonna need it...
Good luck... GUSTO
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...ock-101-a.html
Scroll down to DB's thread and he has an excellent picture of the door lock mechanism with the "key" lever you must push to release the door latch. Once you find the lever, you can reach down from the window opening with a long screwdriver and place the blade on the lever. Give the screwdriver handle a sharp blow and the latch will release. You can do this with nothing more than having the window down all the way.
Here's the picture... copy it to your files or print it out... if you own these cars long enough, you're gonna need it...
Good luck... GUSTO
Thanks Gusto
I'll pass this on...
Two issue though, the linky does not work, and the other issue is, (well for me anyway) is, that my 72 has a plastic guard over the mechanism
Muddy
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,347
Likes: 9
From: Salinas Ca.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Yes there is a plastic cover that sits on top of the lock mechanism. It is a very lightweight plastic cover that keeps water from running directly over the lock that finds it's way inside the door. You should be able to move it aside without damaging it and get to the lever on the lock that needs to be depressed.
Funny the link and picture worked last night when I posted it.
I do have the picture on my hard drive at home and can email it to you if you'd like. Just send me an email address if you want it and I'll shoot it off to you.It's one of those tasks that if you've done it a few times, you have no trouble locating the lever and opening the door. It has been a lifesaver for more than a few friends over the years.
Good luck... GUSTO
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,156
Likes: 3,965
From: Connecticut, USA
I had this happen with my 69 years ago before I removed the levers and latch assembly to clean and adjust.
I was able to work the lock **** and inside handle until it released. Try to unlock the **** while ratching the inside lever. If this work pop the panel and look closer. I had the 90* rod ends bent on one and the latch gummed up. Remove the latch, clean with brake cleaner and dry lube it. Then setup and adjust the rods.
About as much fun as grouting Mexican tile.
I was able to work the lock **** and inside handle until it released. Try to unlock the **** while ratching the inside lever. If this work pop the panel and look closer. I had the 90* rod ends bent on one and the latch gummed up. Remove the latch, clean with brake cleaner and dry lube it. Then setup and adjust the rods.
About as much fun as grouting Mexican tile.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
I noticed that the picture is once again linked above. If you place the tip of a long handled screwdriver on the lever (arrow is pointing to) it will release the latch.
I agree with what others have said, if you remove the latch mechanism and clean it good with a strong solvent it should remove all of the old grease. Once you get it thoroughly clean re-lubricate it with lubriplate (some call it white grease) it should be good for another 10-20 years.
It's been my experience that these things tend to get gummed up from old grease well before the fail from wear.
Good luck... GUSTO
I agree with what others have said, if you remove the latch mechanism and clean it good with a strong solvent it should remove all of the old grease. Once you get it thoroughly clean re-lubricate it with lubriplate (some call it white grease) it should be good for another 10-20 years.
It's been my experience that these things tend to get gummed up from old grease well before the fail from wear.
Good luck... GUSTO
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,347
Likes: 9
From: Salinas Ca.
I had this happen with my 69 years ago before I removed the levers and latch assembly to clean and adjust.
I was able to work the lock **** and inside handle until it released. Try to unlock the **** while ratching the inside lever. If this work pop the panel and look closer. I had the 90* rod ends bent on one and the latch gummed up. Remove the latch, clean with brake cleaner and dry lube it. Then setup and adjust the rods.
About as much fun as grouting Mexican tile.
I was able to work the lock **** and inside handle until it released. Try to unlock the **** while ratching the inside lever. If this work pop the panel and look closer. I had the 90* rod ends bent on one and the latch gummed up. Remove the latch, clean with brake cleaner and dry lube it. Then setup and adjust the rods.
About as much fun as grouting Mexican tile.
Thanks for the tip! Btw TG, I pullled mine out...and completely cleaned and lubed...still working sweetI noticed that the picture is once again linked above. If you place the tip of a long handled screwdriver on the lever (arrow is pointing to) it will release the latch.
I agree with what others have said, if you remove the latch mechanism and clean it good with a strong solvent it should remove all of the old grease. Once you get it thoroughly clean re-lubricate it with lubriplate (some call it white grease) it should be good for another 10-20 years.
It's been my experience that these things tend to get gummed up from old grease well before the fail from wear.
Good luck... GUSTO
I agree with what others have said, if you remove the latch mechanism and clean it good with a strong solvent it should remove all of the old grease. Once you get it thoroughly clean re-lubricate it with lubriplate (some call it white grease) it should be good for another 10-20 years.
It's been my experience that these things tend to get gummed up from old grease well before the fail from wear.
Good luck... GUSTO
Muddy
