Drivers side door locked shut.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Cranford NJ
Cannot open drivers side door
I just turned the lock button on my 72 vette conv. to see if the door would lock/unlock. I turned it to the lock position and now I can't get the door opened at all. I tried to turn the button back but the door still won't open. I tried the inside door handle and the outside and it is locked up tight. Any ideas. HELP :*****
Last edited by martyrl; Aug 9, 2004 at 05:07 PM. Reason: Delete this thread. problem solved.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 997
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From: Click Avatar for Contact Info
There's an article in the latest NCRS "Corvette Restorer" magazine that address this on 1969-1977 Corvettes. Based on the article, you may have a bent or broken door lock actuating rod. The author describes a method where a hacksaw is used to cut the lock shield. I'll IM you with the author's e-mail address if you're interested in learning more about his technique.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Cranford NJ
Originally Posted by lowvette
There's an article in the latest NCRS "Corvette Restorer" magazine that address this on 1969-1977 Corvettes. Based on the article, you may have a bent or broken door lock actuating rod. The author describes a method where a hacksaw is used to cut the lock shield. I'll IM you with the author's e-mail address if you're interested in learning more about his technique.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
The actuator rod from the handle down to the lock can get out of alignment and no amount of prying on the lock levers,rods etc. is going to open it.
You have to take the door panel off from the inside and get a pair of pliers on the rod and jiggle it up and down about 4000 times and it will eventually open
You have to take the door panel off from the inside and get a pair of pliers on the rod and jiggle it up and down about 4000 times and it will eventually open
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, CA Website: ChrisMitchell.us
That happend to me before and I used the exact method shown in Ed T's pictures. But I also sprayed some graphite based lubricant down there to make sure everything would move easily. I havn't had a problem since.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,040
Likes: 672
From: FL
I actually had the mechansim in the lock stick because the spring inside had gotten weak over the years. I pulled th elock out and rebent the spring. For a while, the only way to get the lock unlocked was use a long rod to push down on the arms inside.
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Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,581
Likes: 28
From: Spring, Texas
This happened to my '72 because the door lock tumbler rod was out of adjustment. They had obviously never been used by the previous owner since the door panels were replaced. I was able to open mine by forcibly turning the tumbler to the unlock position while simultaneously pulling back-n-forth on the interior door handle rapidly.
Once you get the door open, pull the panel off and make the necessary adjustmetns. Make sure everything works perfectly before installing the door panel.
Once you get the door open, pull the panel off and make the necessary adjustmetns. Make sure everything works perfectly before installing the door panel.
