Door Lock Problems? Some Help maybe!
Racer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 261
Likes: 1
From: Montgomery TX
Great thread Wilcox! When I got my 81 the locks would not move. I pulled the door panels and 1. PA had removed the lock motors and brackets, 2. the lock mechanism was caked with hard black/brown gunk.
I emptied a can of brake parts cleaner on each door lock assembly leaving a big black puddle of goo in the driveway. Everything loosened up and a little lithium spray lube has kept it working smooth. I also found used brackets for the lock motors, new motors and switches on eBay. Had to replace the connectors and re-wire grounds on both sides to get everything working.
Also one of the clips holding the lock rod in place was missing, I used a speed nut instead and its still holding after 8 months.
I completed one window guide roller replacement and waiting for the skin to grow back on my hand before I tackle the other.
I emptied a can of brake parts cleaner on each door lock assembly leaving a big black puddle of goo in the driveway. Everything loosened up and a little lithium spray lube has kept it working smooth. I also found used brackets for the lock motors, new motors and switches on eBay. Had to replace the connectors and re-wire grounds on both sides to get everything working.
Also one of the clips holding the lock rod in place was missing, I used a speed nut instead and its still holding after 8 months.
I completed one window guide roller replacement and waiting for the skin to grow back on my hand before I tackle the other.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 261
Likes: 1
From: Montgomery TX
My passenger side outside door handle wont work 
I had panel off and not really sure. It seems to me that the rod needs adjusted but how the heck is it done 
? The door handle is almost impossible to get at nuts nolding it in are so cramped 
. Any and all help would be appreciated. 
Thanks, ACE
I had panel off and not really sure. It seems to me that the rod needs adjusted but how the heck is it done ? The door handle is almost impossible to get at nuts nolding it in are so cramped . Any and all help would be appreciated. Thanks, ACE
Getting it back together was a major challenge. I had to use some long nose right angle pliers to replace the rods and clips but it took multiple tries and lots of cursing. I wrapped some masking tape around the tip on my finger sticky side out and stuck the nut on it to get it on the stud and turn just enough to catch a thread Again it took multiple tries.
Good luck, maybe one of our senior members knows a simple trick!
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,782
Likes: 223
From: Lebanon Pa
Hi Mr. Wilcox, I'm kinda new here, I bought a 82 vette about three weeks ago for my wife and the doors are giving me problems... I know this is an old thread, and none of the pics open now...I was wondering if you ever did this in a PDF file yet,and if you did, could you send me a copy at, (grampyopa@verizon.net) thank you...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 9,426
Likes: 124
Okay, made post earlier what caused my 72 vette doors not to unlock with key or **** once door latch was closed. I am not a mechanic, but pretty good at figuring out puzzles. Like stated earlier, when I replaced outside door hanbles, did not make adjustment to acuator rod that connects to handle. This caused the door not to unlock when closed with key or ****. I figured this out by closing door latch then locking door with door opened and door panels removed. Could not unlock with key or ****, Where the outside handle rod connects to the latch, I pushed up on this arm and then I could lock and unlock with key and **** (can not have to much down force on latch). Shortened rod 1/4 inch, worked fine from then on. The only way I could get the driver side open once it was locked (had door panels on) was to push with a screw driver on the arm that the door handle rod was connected to, had to force the door handle rod up enough to get unlocked. Very easy to check with door panel off by just pushing up on outside door actuator rod and you should be able to unlock door, Hope this helps
Linkage adjusted too long.
There is also a weak spring in the latch that either breaks, or is too weak to push the part the door handle rod connects to back to it's original position after the door is opened so it acts like there is pressure on the door release, and will not unlock once you lock it.
In other words if the car is locked, and you hold the door handle down, it will not unlock unless the door handles are fully released. So if they are sticking, or are adjusted too long the locks will stay locked.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,782
Likes: 223
From: Lebanon Pa
After reading your message I went out and tried shortening the rod,, I can now open the door from the inside but not the outside door handle.. I think I may have a weak or broken spring in there... Now the fun part is trying to locate replacement parts... Thank you for the info... Jeff
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 823
Likes: 57
From: Austin TX
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,782
Likes: 223
From: Lebanon Pa
Well, this morning I took the door lock mechanism off the pass. side and I'm going to let it soak in gasoline overnight, then clean it out and spray lithium grease in it and see if that works...
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Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
When we moved the site over to the new site we lost the pictures from this thread... Let me see if I can dig those up for you on Monday, they are very helpful.
Willcox
Willcox
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
My pleasure... I'm out of town until Monday morning but as soon as I can I'll convert the pictures so they will show up..
-Willcox
-Willcox
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Fixed...
Pete... You are amazing I can't believe you saved it...
The pictures were still on the old site, (I still have it active for just this exact reason) but to avoid a site clash we had to change the address and when that happened all the old pictures I've posted here went bye bye.. Its just a matter of me digging up the new links on the new site.
Pete... You are amazing I can't believe you saved it...
The pictures were still on the old site, (I still have it active for just this exact reason) but to avoid a site clash we had to change the address and when that happened all the old pictures I've posted here went bye bye.. Its just a matter of me digging up the new links on the new site.
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Nov 22, 2015 at 01:40 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,782
Likes: 223
From: Lebanon Pa
Update, yesterday I pulled the locking mechanism off the pass. side, then soaked it in gas overnight... This morning I blew all of the gas out and then sprayed it with lithium grease, then I worked all of the mechanisms,then sprayed it again... Then I wiped all of the extra grease off, then installed it.. I then installed the rods and gave it a try... Works great!!! I did have to adjust the outside door opener rod a couple times... Now it's off to the drivers side,get that one done... P.S. Make sure when you soak the mechanism to use a gas proof container,I used a ice cream bucket and the gas started eating thru the plastic... Jeff
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Door locked and will not open
I discovered my door lock was half way engaged and I could not open the drivers side door. looking in between the door skin and door panel with a small flash light,
I saw the outer door lock bar was out of the tab hole, the c-clip was missing. I managed to use a narrow and long screw driver to put it back in place and I fiddled
with the lock inside the car until I can force it to move to the wide open unlock position. The locking mechanism inside the door was jammed up. I spayed
some sea foam lub and got it unstuck. Presto the door opened. now i need to remove the panel to install a new c-clip. What a PITA!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,359
Likes: 1,058
From: Virginia USA
The only problem I have with my door locks is the crappy aftermarket "omega" clip that dosen't hole the **** on very well. The aftermarket clips are too small in diameter and seem to be flimsy compared to an original. I have originals on my window cranks and there is a big difference is quality.
Surely someone can make a better clip.
Surely someone can make a better clip.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand
Hi. I have a 69 that the passenger side will not lock with the key. The **** on the inside does lock it however does not feel as free as the other door. It would be great to see the photos again or someone might be able to advise me what to look at first
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 35
Likes: 3
From: Brooklyn, NY
Fixed...
Pete... You are amazing I can't believe you saved it...
The pictures were still on the old site, (I still have it active for just this exact reason) but to avoid a site clash we had to change the address and when that happened all the old pictures I've posted here went bye bye.. Its just a matter of me digging up the new links on the new site.
Pete... You are amazing I can't believe you saved it...
The pictures were still on the old site, (I still have it active for just this exact reason) but to avoid a site clash we had to change the address and when that happened all the old pictures I've posted here went bye bye.. Its just a matter of me digging up the new links on the new site.
