Door striker problems

[mcditalia]

After I got my 66 vert back from being painted a couple of months ago, I noticed that the iterior lights only came on when the drivers side door was opened but not the passenger. They both used to work before. Where are the electical connections on the doors so I can check the passenger connection?

Also the drivers side door is hard to close as I have to pull up on the door and slam it harder than usual to get a proper seal. The body shop advised me that the door striker needs replacement but, again, it seemed to have worked better before the paint job. Any tell tale signs if the striker needs replacement or if its a body alignment problem?

Thanks MC

 

[Mikey1]

Sounds like an alignment problem. Try losening the striker screws only a few so that you can move it a bit...then close the door, open it again and tighten the bolts. See how it works then.

Replecement is only necessary if someone worked on it (like bubba did on mine...) or the spring inside the striker is gone..

 

[magicv8]

The light switch is in the front of the door jamb - it grounds the light bulbs. When you put a deep socket on it and unscrew it, the ground wire is attached to the back.

The easiest way to align the door is to remove the striker, and then align the door with the body by adjusting the hinge bolts, and/or shimming the hinges (under the door panel.

When that is done, replace the striker so that it holds the door closed, but does not make the door close higher or lower to achieve alignment with the body. The weight of the door should be on the hinges - not the striker.

 

[IH2LOSE]

The weight of the door should be on the hinges - not the striker.

Excellent advice!

Adjust door for fitment,body lines.
The stricker only holds the door closed,it should not be used to fix a poor fitting door/adjustment