C6 Tech/Performance LS2, LS3, LS7, LS9 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Driver's door sometimes wont unlock.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 14, 2013 | 12:29 AM
  #1  
Overman's Avatar
Overman
Thread Starter
4th Gear
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Default Driver's door sometimes wont unlock.

I have a 2005 C6 and Ive noticed that sometimes my driver's door wont unlock from the inside. The electric locking mechanism simply wont respond and I am being forced to use the emergency bottom latch to open the door. Has anybody else experienced this problem?
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2013 | 01:59 AM
  #2  
JCtx's Avatar
JCtx
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,694
Likes: 106
Default

You should rephrase your problem. The C6 does NOT have door locks. It simply disables the electric door latch. Your problem is that the door doesn't open... and it's a common one on older cars. Do a search to troubleshoot your issue. And it'd be wise to include more details to get better help from those who know (I don't, since my car is a year old). Good luck .
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2013 | 08:22 AM
  #3  
icntdrv55's Avatar
icntdrv55
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 867
Likes: 26
From: SW Ohio
Default

Lots of threads on here about either replacing or renewing the door pad contacts. I recently saw one with a great pic tutorial for disassembly and repair of the pad contacts, but couldn't turn it up in a quick search. Here's one with a video of the replacement process.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...door-gone.html

ADD: Here ya go--the one I was looking for!

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...-fix-easy.html

Last edited by icntdrv55; Nov 14, 2013 at 08:39 AM.
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2013 | 11:45 AM
  #4  
markmatthews's Avatar
markmatthews
Racer
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 293
Likes: 1
From: Pasadena CA
Default

Originally Posted by icntdrv55
Lots of threads on here about either replacing or renewing the door pad contacts. I recently saw one with a great pic tutorial for disassembly and repair of the pad contacts, but couldn't turn it up in a quick search. Here's one with a video of the replacement process.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...door-gone.html

ADD: Here ya go--the one I was looking for!

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...-fix-easy.html
Yep, in my case a new door latch fixed the issue In my thread above you will find the part number for the latch, assuming you need a new one. My local dealership had one in stock so it was a very quick fix.

Good luck!
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2013 | 12:19 PM
  #5  
cclive's Avatar
cclive
Team Owner
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 461
From: Southern Utah
Default

I would try taking the rubber pad apart and cleaning the contacts, coating with a light spray of WD-40 after cleaning. This is free. If that does not fix it, then it could be the solenoid that actually pulls the latch open. Check for power to the solenoid and if it is getting power, then it needs to be replaced. Do this in an organized step by step process rather than just replacing parts '*****-nilly'...which can get expensive.
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2013 | 04:39 PM
  #6  
FireRoc's Avatar
FireRoc
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 752
Likes: 28
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Default

I'm assuming that there are no issues gettting the door to open from the outside, or that you are not getting any messages on the DIC when you try to open the door from the inside. This would tell me that the FOB battery is okay, and that the inside/cabin antenna is working fine. If this is al the case, then the only thing left is the button switch on the door and it should be replaced.

One simple test would be to switch the button switch from the passenger side and see if the problem goes away and transfers to the passenger side. Probably just easier to replace the switch though.
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2013 | 06:45 PM
  #7  
eboggs_jkvl's Avatar
eboggs_jkvl
Moderator emeritus
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 18,599
Likes: 3,951
From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
Default

Originally Posted by FireRoc
I'm assuming that there are no issues gettting the door to open from the outside, or that you are not getting any messages on the DIC when you try to open the door from the inside. This would tell me that the FOB battery is okay, and that the inside/cabin antenna is working fine. If this is al the case, then the only thing left is the button switch on the door and it should be replaced.

One simple test would be to switch the button switch from the passenger side and see if the problem goes away and transfers to the passenger side. Probably just easier to replace the switch though.



The door pads are a "Getting in" problem, not a "getting out". If you are having issues getting in, then you clean or replace the door pads. Getting out is probably the button.

Elmer
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2013 | 07:07 PM
  #8  
cclive's Avatar
cclive
Team Owner
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 461
From: Southern Utah
Default

I overlooked the word "inside" in the OP's post. I agree with Elmer, the inside door button is the first place to check. Check continuity with a meter and if needed, replace the button...it is very inexpensive.

Looking back, I overlooked "inside" because the title said "won't unlock", which implies opening from the outside.

Last edited by cclive; Nov 14, 2013 at 07:10 PM.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-3

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Nov 14, 2013 | 08:00 PM
  #9  
eboggs_jkvl's Avatar
eboggs_jkvl
Moderator emeritus
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 18,599
Likes: 3,951
From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
Default

Originally Posted by cclive
I overlooked the word "inside" in the OP's post. I agree with Elmer, the inside door button is the first place to check. Check continuity with a meter and if needed, replace the button...it is very inexpensive.

Looking back, I overlooked "inside" because the title said "won't unlock", which implies opening from the outside.

No worries Chris, I have senior moments all the time! More and more actually or at least that's what the wife tells me!

Elmer
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Driver's door sometimes wont unlock.





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:21 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-1
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE