Door won't open
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 90
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From: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Re: Door won't open (Geoff1340)
Geoff
Happened on my 75. the little spring at the top of the lock mechanism was broken in half. Used a screwdriver down the window to unlock the door and replaced the spring.
Happened on my 75. the little spring at the top of the lock mechanism was broken in half. Used a screwdriver down the window to unlock the door and replaced the spring.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,161
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From: Easton PA
Re: Door won't open (OzVette75)
Geoff
Happened on my 75. the little spring at the top of the lock mechanism was broken in half. Used a screwdriver down the window to unlock the door and replaced the spring.
Happened on my 75. the little spring at the top of the lock mechanism was broken in half. Used a screwdriver down the window to unlock the door and replaced the spring.
I second a spring problem
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,339
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From: Hampton Georgia
Re: Door won't open (82dukman)
I had this same thing happen on a 77 I repainted last year.I kept messing with it ,and it finally opened.I had to buy a different latch because the old one kept sticking.Your last option is to cut the door panel off to get to the latch. :cry Good luck :seeya
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 27
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From: Rochester NY
Re: Door won't open (Geoff1340)
I had a similar problem once. Mechanic friends knew right where to press their knee on the door and pull and the thing opened. They had the inner door cover off is seconds and discovered that the lock rod was severely bent and probably as a result of someone attempting to STEAL the car. That seemed plausible because the week before the battery and hub caps were stollen from my truck. If nothing else, you may want to evaluate the security issues of your car in case the sticky door problem disappears with the car at some point in the future :)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 122
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From: Jacksonville Fl
Re: Door won't open (OzVette75)
Where exactly are you fishing with a screwdriver? I've tried a slim-jim with no success and don't want to cut the door panel off or break a window....Vetts sure are interesting to own!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Re: Door won't open (Geoff1340)
I wrote an article (with pics) for the NCRS restorer on this topic because the lock on my 78 wouldn't open and I wasn't about to tear open my door panel. As described, you use a long screwdriver with the objective of pushing on the secondary latch that secures the striker bolt. There are two latches (primary and secondary) so you will need a flashlight, window down and you may need to push a plastic water guard out of the way. The latches are located along the door jamb...I don't have those photos in digital form, otherwise I'd post them. I'm not sure if 77 had the guard but it was installed after 78.
Once you've nailed the target...the sucker will pop and then you simply pull on the door and it opens. The key is knowing where to poke and probe.
Once you've nailed the target...the sucker will pop and then you simply pull on the door and it opens. The key is knowing where to poke and probe.
