Door lock/ opener problem
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 471
Likes: 1
From: Hometown The best
Door lock/ opener problem
I recently finished painting my "79 and put the car back together. The doors opened and closed just fine and the key locked and unlocked the door as it should, however the inside door lock lever would not lock the door. I discovered that I was missing the vertical linkage rod from the pivot bracket to the door lock assembly. I finally found a used linkage rod and installed it. The inside lock now worked great. I thought every thing was fine until I tried to open the door from the outside ... it would not open and the key lock would not lock or unlock the door. I opened the door from the inside and moved the lock lever back and forth and the lock seemed to stick in the locked position. I disconected the linkage rod and removed the key lock. Now the door lock assembly appears to be locked with the lock "fingers" that go around the door striker in the closed position. I can't even close the door because of this. Does anyone have a clue as to whats happening here other than I probably need a new lock assembly.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
From: Mississippi
Door 1/2 unlocks!
I’ve read through posts and don’t see someone with my issue. My car is a 69 I replaced the outer door opener on the drivers side and it worked perfectly for 2 days and now it unlocks only half way! The door partially opens about 1/2” I can close it and reach inside with a long screwdriver and it still only unlocks half way, same with the inside lever or outside opener. I tried the screwdriver on the passenger side and it opened perfect.
I can see a metal twist tie inside, looks like someone did something very odd in the past. Any ideas of how to get it open the rest of the way???
I can see a metal twist tie inside, looks like someone did something very odd in the past. Any ideas of how to get it open the rest of the way???
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Langley B.C.
BillyTz06, it sounds like a similar problem to my own. I think if you try removing the rod from the outside door handle, and try opening it from the inside lever and the latch should snap open. You may have to move the vertical rod from the inside lock up and down, that’s how mine was jamming. Hope that will at least let you close and open the door from the inside.
