C4 General Discussion General C4 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech

1986 C4 Driver Door Lock

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 23, 2009 | 10:26 AM
  #1  
psunut95's Avatar
psunut95
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Default 1986 C4 Driver Door Lock

When I bought the car the driver's door lock would not engage the locking mechanism, but the alarm still works and is fully functional. I thought something was detached and I figured I would remove the door panel and fix it.

Last night I looked at it and I was right, however there seems to be a broken plastic connector that was attached to the "S" shaped rod that connects right to the lock cylinder. It appears this piece holds the "S" onto the cylinder, via the hole in the cylinder plate, and connects to the engage rod that runs to the lock lever on the door. Without that piece it seems that everytime I put the "S" back into the cylinder hole and I use the key to turn the lock it just flops off the cylinder and does not create the "solid" connection to engage the lock.

Does anyone know how to put this back together and where I could even find a part number for this thing. It is probably worth about 10 cents.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2009 | 04:48 PM
  #2  
nutz4c4's Avatar
nutz4c4
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,736
Likes: 0
From: WAY UPSTATE NY
Default

Try Corvette Central for the "clip" you need. They have some pretty good diagrams on thier website.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2009 | 05:21 PM
  #3  
94z07fx3's Avatar
94z07fx3
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,383
Likes: 4
Default

That clip is in the "HELP!" aisle of the parts store chains. They are sold in a variety pack. I have replaced that exact clip. I did not see it for sale seperately. IIRC <$4
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2009 | 12:33 PM
  #4  
psunut95's Avatar
psunut95
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Default Thanks

Thank you both for your responses. I stopped by the local Chevy dealer this monring to see if they could help, they had the diagram and what I think the part ($1.75). Unfortunatly the other part we think it might be was discontinued so if that is not it I will be headed to Pep Boys or AutoZone. Thanks again.

It is always the least expensive parts that cause the most headache. It is a lot easier to have my tranny pulled and sent to Darrel for a rebuild then fixing this doorlock.
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2009 | 09:45 AM
  #5  
psunut95's Avatar
psunut95
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Default

OK I did find the correct clip, thanks to the tip from 94z07fx3, but I spent 2 hours last night with the door apart and could not get the 20 cent part on. I could not get my hand in far enough to apply the needed pressure to snap it in. I think if I had 12" long pliers I would be OK.

Next stop....Sears or somewhere to see if they have longer pliers to add to my toolbox.
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2009 | 09:57 AM
  #6  
94z07fx3's Avatar
94z07fx3
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,383
Likes: 4
Default

I have extremely long needle-nose pliers. I bought them years ago a some discount tool outlet that's long gone. I have seen similar at Harbor Freight. I have never seen their like at Sears tho. I don't remember if I used them on the door lock or not. I do remember seriously considering a hole saw LOL. Did you take out the accessory mounting panel? (that aluminum sheet)
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2009 | 10:51 AM
  #7  
psunut95's Avatar
psunut95
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Default

I tried to take out the accessory panel but I could not get it all out and I did not want to cause any further damage to any other brittle plastic in there.

Here is the link to the set I found on Sears: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...830000P?mv=rr#

I will try the long pliers, if that does not work it will be Duke of Hazard style for me.
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2009 | 04:00 PM
  #8  
94z07fx3's Avatar
94z07fx3
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,383
Likes: 4
Default

The panel flexes and it does come out. Focus on getting it out and I bet you have all the room you need.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 25, 2009 | 04:27 PM
  #9  
psunut95's Avatar
psunut95
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Default

Thanks for the help and confidence.
Reply
Old Jun 29, 2009 | 08:46 AM
  #10  
psunut95's Avatar
psunut95
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Default Frustrated, but still determined

OK now I have about 3 hours wrapped up in the replacement of this 20 cent piece and it is still not done. I did make a major breakthrough this weekend and was able to attach the new clip to the lock cylinder plate, however now I can not connect the rod to the clip. I did slide out the door panel and that helped alittle, but the main issue is that the cylinder is located up behind the door locking mechanism and does not allow your hand to get in there. I really do not want to get into removing the locking mechanism.

Has anyone done this before? I am getting to the point where I am losing my mind and this has now become a personal challange.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 1986 C4 Driver Door Lock





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:26 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE