its happened to me several times
Drivers Door just blew open
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 536
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From: Ocean Park Washington
Drivers Door just blew open
Was traveling home last night, took a right hand turn at about 25mph and the drivers door just opened. I almost landed on the street. Always wear my seatbelt - which saved me. The door blew forward (very hard) then snapped back. Very scary.
I checked the door hinges and allignment and all seemed OK - surprising as the door flew forward pretty hard.
When this happened I did hear the window glass move through the molding so I know that the door was completly closed. It was indexed up.
Any thoughts or has this happened to anyone else? I did check, as I began traveling again, that the door would not open while in gear.
I checked the door hinges and allignment and all seemed OK - surprising as the door flew forward pretty hard.
When this happened I did hear the window glass move through the molding so I know that the door was completly closed. It was indexed up.
Any thoughts or has this happened to anyone else? I did check, as I began traveling again, that the door would not open while in gear.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Los Alamitos California
St. Jude Donor '09
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Las Vegas NV
That *shouldn't* be possible... even deliberately pressing the door button while the car is in motion doesnt activate the door -- unless you push the unlock button first.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
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From: Southampton NJ
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 27
From: Southampton NJ
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Las Vegas NV
I don't think I would like it if GM programmed the doors to NOT open under those circumstances, but in today's sue-happy society, it does seem strange that they didn't prevent the doors from electronically opening any time the vehicle is in motion.
On the other hand, this may be an opportunity for someone to market "safety bezels" with an extra-tall raised lip around the door button. GM, if you do this, I want a cut!
Last edited by Kent1999; Sep 5, 2008 at 01:40 PM.
Melting Slicks
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From: Eastern PA:ECS Paxton Novi 1500(676rwhp,585tq on stock engine),LG headers, 410's, Corsa Sports, ECS Alky Kit
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I don't understand how going around a corner at 25MPH, and the seat belt saved your life?? I definitely don't want my door swinging open in a turn, but I can guarentee I'm not falling out of the vette on a 25mph turn, seat belt or no seat belt. Do you lean on the door so much so that it is holding you in your seat?? If thats the case, you had to have been leaning on the buttons for it to open.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 536
Likes: 1
From: Ocean Park Washington
My 05 is an automatic. That is what made this such an interesting situation.
At 25 MPH I did a rather hard turn (which granted is not that hard) which put my shoulder lightly into the door panel. What surprised me was the door opening - you just do not expect that to happen.
I'm going to be testing over the next several weeks and see if I can reproduce. Was worried about the door hinges and the door alignment.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 27
From: Southampton NJ
the door opened because i opened it by unlocking so the pasenger could get in. the car locks itself only when going from park to gear, maybe you can program to lock when moving thats how my truck is, even if i unlock to let someone in once moving it relocks, the c6 doesnt
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Sounds odd, like something got hit.
I back up into my garage and need to open the door to maneuver in. With a man trans (sounds like it's different with the automatic) I have to first hit the unlock button then push the door open button. I can unlock, and open the door while moving in reverse, which is what I do. I have also stopped and did it while sitting there before putting it in reverse.
For me, if the only way I could open the door was to put it in park first, that would be a pain. But it might prevent what happened to OP.
I back up into my garage and need to open the door to maneuver in. With a man trans (sounds like it's different with the automatic) I have to first hit the unlock button then push the door open button. I can unlock, and open the door while moving in reverse, which is what I do. I have also stopped and did it while sitting there before putting it in reverse.
For me, if the only way I could open the door was to put it in park first, that would be a pain. But it might prevent what happened to OP.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Well, I've pulled .96 lateral G on the DIC in a 25 mph corner during an autocross. If the door came open and I had no seat belt, my feet would have been trailing in the breeze.