Hi have a 1971 vette, went to open the driver side door today. can't open it, the latch is wrapped around the striker and it wont release tried a screw driver that didn"t help. looks like the mechanism is work right.

 

If you can get a screwdriver down inside and trip the lever the red arrow is pointing to the door should open. If the lock is off 100%.

 

Thanks roger, still no luck, a tried the screwdriver trick, just can't get to release.

 

Just about ready to take a saw all to that striker bolt, don't know what else to do.

 

see if you can find an old service manual, seems I remember some trick to unlock the doors when this happens....how about one of those slim-jims the cops use to open a locked door??? go ask them to help you out, I think many if not all carry them, or used to. good luck.

 

.how about one of those slim-jims the cops use to open a locked door??? Your going to need more than a slim-jim to get this door open, the only way i can see, its to saw all the striker bolt off, just cant the damm lever to release.

 

Any ideas....

 

Hose it down with something like WD40 to flush dirt out and then work the lock mechanism.
The lock needs to be completely unlocked.
The outside door handle needs to be up and not hanging down.
The door release and lock can really work against each other.
Good Luck

 

same thing happend to my door. any luck opening yours?

 

just wondering if u kick it hard enough will it unlatch?

 

Maybe

 

Findley got the door open, this what i did, there's a spot where you see the end the latch was getting hung up on, took a screwdriver pried it up and bingo the door open up,thanks for help, wont forget this one.

 

Batmobile any luck with yours.

 

hadnt had anytime today. Ill give it a try tm, Did it work fine after that or do u have to replace it?

 

No problems works good.

 

In the archieves, there's just a whole lot of articles about this problem.

Basically, the screwdriver inserted down into the mechanism is what's going to work, if anything works.

First of all, order a new latch. This is no problem unless you have a 68. Get the new latch and look how the locking mechanism works. Hold it in you hand. You can see the lever that you're going to have to trip with a screwdriver. Cycle the door latch locking mechanism while you hold it in you hand. Trip the mechanism with a screwdriver while you hold it in your hand.

Next, its time for a training session. Open the door that works, I think for you its the passenger's door. Remove the door panel. Now with the door open, and the window down, take a screwdriver and try to hit the latch that will open the door. With the panel down (off) you should have relatively good visibility. With good visibility, practice on the passenger's door and learn how to open the latch with a long screwdriver. Once you've learned how to open the latch, go to the driver's door and do it in the blind. You should have success.

I followed the above process. Going to the stuck door didn't get an immediate successful open. I think I must have tried multiple times for about 15 minutes. Finally, BINGO.

OH, by the way, my experience was tough. I do have a 68. I had to buy 68 latches off of ebay and J&D Corvette. I was able to buy a NOS door latch from ebay. The 68 latches are slightly different. I've had sticky latch problems with my 70. I"ve bought all new latches from Paragon, and in due course of time will install them in the 70.

Once the latch gives you problems, get rid of it. The internal levers are 0.070 inch thick stamped soft steel. Once they get bent or their pivot holes get enlarged due to abrasive grim, they're history.

 

Thanks for this great info. My driver's door will not open and I was able to open it with a screwdriver just like the above post states. I think my outside door handle is broken as it does not want to come up and there's no resistance when it comes to pushing it down. Also, I feel like that door will not completely unlock. Anyways, could replacing the handle fix this entire problem?