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HELP! drivers side door will not open

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Old Feb 25, 2011 | 12:22 PM
  #1  
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Default HELP! drivers side door will not open

When I recently bought my 71, the past owner could not find the door key. he found it and mailed it to me, and so I immediatley tried it out. It seemed to work fine, but now my door will not open with either the inside or outside door release handles. The door appears to be unlocked, and looking down through the window opening things seem to be moving, and sound like they are moving, but the door will not release.

Can I get the door panel off with the door closed?

Any tricks with a coat hanger?

HELP!
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Old Feb 25, 2011 | 12:48 PM
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Not without damaging the door panel.The rod from the door latch, on either door might have come disconnected. Just a guess. Good luck.
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Old Feb 25, 2011 | 01:04 PM
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A long screwdriver can push the latch that opens the door but it is hard to describe how to do it. If you have the corvette assembly manual it has a good pic of the latch lever
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Old Feb 25, 2011 | 02:29 PM
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This is what the door latches look like, and what each one of the levers attaches to.





I don't remember how much you can actually see in there when they are installed, but I think your best bet would be to try and get some sort of tool down there to push down on the lever that attaches to the outside door handle. It should push down to release the door.
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Old Feb 25, 2011 | 03:06 PM
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Default Unlock the Door

Originally Posted by shotgunvet
When I recently bought my 71, the past owner could not find the door key. he found it and mailed it to me, and so I immediatley tried it out. It seemed to work fine, but now my door will not open with either the inside or outside door release handles. The door appears to be unlocked, and looking down through the window opening things seem to be moving, and sound like they are moving, but the door will not release.

Can I get the door panel off with the door closed?

Any tricks with a coat hanger?

HELP!
Shotgunvet,

Here are some more photos. Push down on the lever to unlock. You can use a long thin screwdriver.

Ron

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]
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Old Feb 25, 2011 | 04:08 PM
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Default door

thanks guys, I am still trying....
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Old Feb 25, 2011 | 04:54 PM
  #7  
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Here's where you have to push with the screwdriver.
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Old Feb 25, 2011 | 05:35 PM
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Default waaahooooo

Thanks guys! You are awesome.

Not sure if I actually pushed what I was supposed to or not, but it suddenly magically unlocked. I will pull of the door panel and inspect and lube everything before locking it again.

Now if I can just get the brakes bled life will be good. Just put on new calipers from VBP.

Last edited by shotgunvet; Feb 25, 2011 at 05:38 PM.
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Old Feb 25, 2011 | 08:16 PM
  #9  
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Default The Door is Open!!!

Originally Posted by shotgunvet
Thanks guys! You are awesome.

Not sure if I actually pushed what I was supposed to or not, but it suddenly magically unlocked. I will pull of the door panel and inspect and lube everything before locking it again.

Now if I can just get the brakes bled life will be good. Just put on new calipers from VBP.
Hello again,

Glad to see you opened the door without damage. Checked out your site and you have a very nice looking vette. I'm going to change my wheels someday. Yours look really great. Are they 17 or 18 inch? Hey. now don't lock the door without first trying the lock and unlock before closing the door.

Thanks

Ron

Last edited by Rontech; Feb 25, 2011 at 08:19 PM.
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Old Feb 26, 2011 | 07:39 AM
  #10  
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From: grandview Texas
Default wheels

Thanks for your help and kind words. The wheels are 17".
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