Help- Door locks, but latch binds preventing unlock

[KANE]

This is super frustrating-

I can lock my 78's left door, but the latch mechanism seems to bind up when I try to unlock it.

The lock lever from the arm rest to the pivot moves freely. The issue seems to be with the latch assembly on the upper corner of the door. Its as if it seems to release partially, but not enough to unlock. There is a small lever next to the control arm that can be moved up and then the assembly will move freely. I tend to remember there being a spring in there from the last time I cleaned the assemby. Nothing is broken. It just seems kinda sticky.

I get the impression that the assembly is just filthy and needs a degreasing bath and lube.

Has anyone had a similar problem?!?!

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Sprayed it with WD-40 to clean and then lubed with white Lithium grease. This was a year ago and so far no problems.

 

[Blue82]

I had this same problem with mine and determined that way back when I replaced my door handle I didn't get the adjusting screw set properly. I don't know if I can explain how I fixed it but if you watch the mechanism while you are opening the door there is a part that is toward the top of the latch and it bends over near the top of the piece and faces the front of the car. When I pulled the door handle (when the door was locked) this piece would not fully return to its original position and the door could not be unlocked by key or the latch inside until I pushed this part back into position.

I fixed the problem by bending it about 1mm more than it was originally bent. It was either that or removing the handle again to adjust it. I actually tried to remove the handle and after about 1 hour fiddling with it I cut my losses and bent the part.

Good luck cause this is a real frustrating problem, not to mention the "cool points" you loose when you have to climb in or slide across from the passenger side.