LB001

Recently it's been getting harder for me to open the driver's side door, requiring more jiggling to get it to open. The battery in my fob seems to be fine. I remember reading on this forum, a few years ago, about someone solving this problem by cleaning the inside of the latch. I cannot locate that thread. Does anyone here have any experience with this problem, or the knowledge of how to clean the latch?

JMII

Are you talking about the door pad / button? I put Door Dogs on my C7 pretty quickly after purchasing it because I hated that silly hidden button. Now its so much easier to open (and close) the door using the little lever.

Elk

Does the door unlock normally with the fob?

Is the issue with the electric pad which must be activated to open the door, or is the switch fine but the physical door latch is sticky?

Red86Cfour

I haven't looked to see if the door pads/buttons are the same as the C6, but on those the pad was removeable and you could take it apart and clean the contacts. But be careful because they're somewhat fragile inside. I don't think replacements are very expensive but I'd try a cleaning first. Is it an outside car?

LB001

Yes, I'm talking about the pad. What are Door Dogs?

LB001

The issue is with the electric pad. The fob will unlock the door.

JMII

https://www.sandyeggodesigns.com/pro...ette-door-dog/

It is a lever that pushes the pad. Now if the contacts in the pad itself are bad the Door Dog will not help, but I found the pad too small and not sensitive enough. The Door Dog address those issues. It just makes opening and closer the door so much easier. This is one area where GM chose form over function and made getting in and out of the car harder then necessary.

Elk

Got it.

As already suggested, remove the pressure plate and clean up the switch. There are videos on doing this on the C6. I assume the process is similar.

Good luck!

LB001

I eventually found the video, and it looks easy enough. I'd have to buy a can of contact cleaner for about $8.00 vs buying a new pad for less than $20.00,- I think I'll just replace the pad. Some people who cleaned the contacts said the problem returned not long afterward. Thank you all for your input.

Elk

Given how inexpensive the pad is, your decision makes perfect sense.

Thanks for the follow up.

Gearhead Jim

Yes, there are several areas where GM chose form over function. And the form isn't very impressive either.
I call them the "WTF were they thinking?" issues.
We love our C7 and wouldn't go back to any previous generation, but the "newer but worse" stuff is annoying.

Red86Cfour

Ain't that the truth!