Door Latch Failed?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 235
Likes: 4
From: Uniontown Pennsylvania
Door Latch Failed?
Just took my 2008 out of storage, I swing the pass side door shut and it jams and does not latch. So I think the windows are not indexed properly but I did that process over again just in case. Windows are indexing correctly.
I can push and hold the door shut and I can hear that latch closing down on the door's receiver bar but it will not hold the door.
Upon examining the latch itself when it is in its closed (locked) position with a little pressure from my finger I can pop it open!
My question is do these latches just fail? I'm guessing nothing can be done with this and I need to order another latch assembly?
Thanks
Geno
I can push and hold the door shut and I can hear that latch closing down on the door's receiver bar but it will not hold the door.
Upon examining the latch itself when it is in its closed (locked) position with a little pressure from my finger I can pop it open!
My question is do these latches just fail? I'm guessing nothing can be done with this and I need to order another latch assembly?
Thanks
Geno
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,360
Likes: 59
From: San Jose California
The latches can fail but usually not in that fashion.
Does the door look like it fully closed? Anything in the way?
If you keep the door open and actuate the latch with a screw driver, does it latch shut?
Try spraying inside the latch with some white lithium grease and see if it frees up the latch function. It is spring loaded for the closing function, so cleaning will hopefully cure that.
Try that and let us know the results.
DJ
Does the door look like it fully closed? Anything in the way?
If you keep the door open and actuate the latch with a screw driver, does it latch shut?
Try spraying inside the latch with some white lithium grease and see if it frees up the latch function. It is spring loaded for the closing function, so cleaning will hopefully cure that.
Try that and let us know the results.
DJ
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 235
Likes: 4
From: Uniontown Pennsylvania
The latch mechanism is totally freed up. In fact it's too freed up; the actuator won't hold the door in.
I can watch the actuator open and close using the door lock button but the slightest pressure pops the actuator back to the open position.
If you close the latch yourself with your finger, it closes in 2 stages, both stages are closing but just barely catching. It seem as you roll the latch closed with your finger at each stage I can see a small silver "pin" pop up to catch the latch so it can't open back up. Well that small "pin" on mine is barely popping up to catch latch and ultimately lock. This is in comparison to my working driver side.
I can watch the actuator open and close using the door lock button but the slightest pressure pops the actuator back to the open position.
If you close the latch yourself with your finger, it closes in 2 stages, both stages are closing but just barely catching. It seem as you roll the latch closed with your finger at each stage I can see a small silver "pin" pop up to catch the latch so it can't open back up. Well that small "pin" on mine is barely popping up to catch latch and ultimately lock. This is in comparison to my working driver side.
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 16,667
Likes: 1,209
From: Raleigh, NC
St. Jude Donor '15
Mine failed the opposite way and could only be opened with the lever or pull line thing in the trunk (same thing)
Sounds like a new latch is in your future if you don't find the cables are stuck
Sounds like a new latch is in your future if you don't find the cables are stuck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,360
Likes: 59
From: San Jose California
At the base of the latch there is a spring loaded pivot.
This pivot can ce actuated via the plastic lead screw controlled by the motor. (A spring winds it back up.)
Or either of the door release cables.
Did you try luring and working the door cables?
DJ
This pivot can ce actuated via the plastic lead screw controlled by the motor. (A spring winds it back up.)
Or either of the door release cables.
Did you try luring and working the door cables?
DJ
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 235
Likes: 4
From: Uniontown Pennsylvania
I did try working pass. side floor lever to no success.
The pivot you mention below the actual latch isn't rising enough to catch the latch is the problem from what I can tell. The pivot rises much higher on my functioning driver side.
The pivot you mention below the actual latch isn't rising enough to catch the latch is the problem from what I can tell. The pivot rises much higher on my functioning driver side.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,360
Likes: 59
From: San Jose California
just realized only the driver's side has two.
You can actually take the latch apart if you are careful.
You have two metal rivets holding it together.
You can drill them out and tap for an 8-32 screw to put it back together.
I have to imagine that it is just dirty and needs to be free'd up.
I have one apart in my garage, not much to it.
You have to take the trim off at the sill plate, and the one next to the seat.
Not too hard to get it out.
You can actually take the latch apart if you are careful.
You have two metal rivets holding it together.
You can drill them out and tap for an 8-32 screw to put it back together.
I have to imagine that it is just dirty and needs to be free'd up.
I have one apart in my garage, not much to it.
You have to take the trim off at the sill plate, and the one next to the seat.
Not too hard to get it out.
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