Driver door latch not operating.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 902
Likes: 7
From: Hanover Maryland
You guys beat me to it. Since the vette doesn't have the piec that pops up like the old cars, i guess its hard to tell.Yes there is a solenoid in the door. That was my guess. I have friends that do alarms and they are usually 30 bucks. I guess vette tax kicks in. Good job though to all very informative.
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Not sure why you would be afraid to take it to the dealer. It is an easy repair at the dealership. They don't even need to put the car on a lift. They also have a Tech II which can be used to look at the diagnostic codes that each module may set which can make it a lot easier to find the problem.
Don't suspect the switch right away just because so many people jump to it. You can do a few things yourself to isolate the problem before buying parts. If the door opens using the inside button and not the outside the switch becomes a potential culprit so swapping with the other side is a way to verify that is or is not. If the door doesn't open using the inside or outside switch then the failure is in the door module or the door latch in the B Pillar. If your window goes crazy and starts indexing up and down with the door closed the problem is definitely the door module. If the window indexes properly when you try to open the door but the door will not open from inside our outside start looking at the latch as the door module is probably in good shape. Besides these specific pieces of hardware the wiring to each of them needs to be checked since corrosion can build up in the connectors and cause the same issues.
Bill
Don't suspect the switch right away just because so many people jump to it. You can do a few things yourself to isolate the problem before buying parts. If the door opens using the inside button and not the outside the switch becomes a potential culprit so swapping with the other side is a way to verify that is or is not. If the door doesn't open using the inside or outside switch then the failure is in the door module or the door latch in the B Pillar. If your window goes crazy and starts indexing up and down with the door closed the problem is definitely the door module. If the window indexes properly when you try to open the door but the door will not open from inside our outside start looking at the latch as the door module is probably in good shape. Besides these specific pieces of hardware the wiring to each of them needs to be checked since corrosion can build up in the connectors and cause the same issues.
Bill
FYI, this door latch is $300 at the dealer,(which i verified online---used run $100-$200) and they want $450 to install--AND I'VE BEEN TO 2 DEALERS THAT SAID SAME THING!! So i go on youtube--and wouldn't you know it--it's a 20 minute fix. you simply unplug the old door latch and plug in the new one. Unfortunately, its hard to find used drivers side door latches, probably because they are the first to blow.
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
buy the door latch used---watch the youtube video on it---it takes 20 minutes to fix---the part is hard to find used though---they have plenty of passenger door latches but drivers side is hard to come by
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Candler, NC
I am having the same problem when I try to open my drivers side door the window goes down like it should but the door will not open... Only opens using the 2 door release's, so I took the 2 screws out and the side panel and pulled the latch out and when you try to open the door you can hear it trying to move... I have tried to get another one but I can not find it anywhere, so where and or what website can I go to, to buy another one? Also I have seen several videos on YouTube, but can you give me a link to the best video showing how to replace it? Thanks
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Candler, NC
2009 C6 Door Latch...
I am having the same problem when I try to open my drivers side door the window goes down like it should but the door will not open... Only opens using the 2 door release's, so I took the 2 screws out and the side panel and pulled the latch out and when you try to open the door you can hear it trying to move... I have tried to get another one but I can not find it anywhere, so where and or what website can I go to, to buy another one? Also I have seen several videos on YouTube, but can you give me a link to the best video showing how to replace it? Thanks
Racer
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 322
Likes: 36
From: Allen, TX
This problem started the other day. Thanks for the info and here is a pretty good video on the remove/replace. One thing I would add is to witness mark the two mounting bolts to get the latch alignment close to the original position.
Last edited by gtmalone; Dec 2, 2018 at 05:40 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,457
Likes: 297
From: corpus christi Texas
Okay here is my experience...this just happened to me on Turkey Day
2011.
Problem: Drivers side door won't open...window will drop down and I can hear the switch attempting to work but no luck.
Solution: If your passenger door works fine...then before you go purchase a switch pad at dealership ($15) swap the passenger pad switch to drivers side (FITS BOTH SIDES)...IF it is works...then all you need to do is purchase a new pad switch. If it doesn't work then it is your Latch Solenoid. This part is located on the door jamb and has a solenoid that will go bad after a while and must be replaced. The part is about $169 at dealership. Also very easy to install.
I made the mistake of assuming it was my pad switch..I purchased and replaced it and still not woking...Dealerships WILL NOT take electronic parts back so -I RECOMMEND my solution above. Good Luck!
Rudy - Houston, TX
2011.
Problem: Drivers side door won't open...window will drop down and I can hear the switch attempting to work but no luck.
Solution: If your passenger door works fine...then before you go purchase a switch pad at dealership ($15) swap the passenger pad switch to drivers side (FITS BOTH SIDES)...IF it is works...then all you need to do is purchase a new pad switch. If it doesn't work then it is your Latch Solenoid. This part is located on the door jamb and has a solenoid that will go bad after a while and must be replaced. The part is about $169 at dealership. Also very easy to install.
I made the mistake of assuming it was my pad switch..I purchased and replaced it and still not woking...Dealerships WILL NOT take electronic parts back so -I RECOMMEND my solution above. Good Luck!
Rudy - Houston, TX
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
Likes: 531
From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
Lee who made the 200,000 mile Z06 video says he replaced his drivers door latch with one purchased from Gene Culley (forum vendor) if I recall correctly. Cultrag? Genuine GM part, new, want to say he said he spent <$200 and difficulty 1-5 was a 1.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,457
Likes: 297
From: corpus christi Texas
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,457
Likes: 297
From: corpus christi Texas
GM Parts Direct can get you one for $122.00 + it's a 'Special Order Part'. It is a complete assy I would like to know where that Solenoid is at???...I took my old one apart and there is no Solenoid in it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,457
Likes: 297
From: corpus christi Texas
This problem started the other day. Thanks for the info and here is a pretty good video on the remove/replace. One thing I would add is to witness mark the two mounting bolts to get the latch alignment close to the original position.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwOa0Da61Hw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwOa0Da61Hw
