Help! Door wont unlock!

[The73vetteman]

Took my pride and joy out for a run this afternonoon. Sun has finally come out in my corner of Michigan. Stopped at AutoQuest for new headlights (another story) and locked the car when I left it.

When I got back to it the drivers door wouldn't unlock. I got in thru the pass door, but the drivers wont unlock from inside either.

Any ideas as to how i get the door open?

'73

 

[GTR1999]

73 - common probelm with these cars so it's better that you learn now how to fix them and maintain them.

Does the door unlock from the inside? if so then the outside linkage may have poped the clip off.If you can get the door open you'll need to see if you can get a long screw driver down inside to flip the lever to unlock it. I had luck at times working the inside lever and roating the lock knob on/off to get it to unlock.

When you get it open remove the door panel and you'll see that the latch is ,most likely, dirty and greasy. Check to see if the linkage works but don't shut the door. Latch it with a screw driver and see if you can open it.

I remove the latch and clean it good with carb cleaner then lube it with white grease. then you have to adjust the linkage to get good action on the latch. It takes some time but you should be able to clean,lube, and adjust it to work correct.

 

[ScrantonScrambler]

Any ideas as to how i get the door open?

'73

this pic shows a door w/ the door panel off, but you can unlock & open the door w/ the panel on.
Roll down window, get a good flashlite & a long screwdriver, pry up on end of rod. Door will open.

 

[GTR1999]

Nice pictures of the spot he needs to get to.

"Go together like words and music"-Eddie and the Cruisers

 

[BrightYellow76]

this pic shows a door w/ the door panel off, but you can unlock & open the door w/ the panel on.
Roll down window, get a good flashlite & a long screwdriver, pry up on end of rod. Door will open.

This is excellent! I'll be trying this right away since the passenger side has been locked for a year now. I can get it open occasionally but never knew what was the real culprit -- until now! THANK YOU!!!

 

[ScrantonScrambler]

here is how to open a door that is UNLOCKED. This can also be done with door panel on.

 

[ScrantonScrambler]

if you are getting locked out from time to time you need to clean & adjust your lock rod linkage, gotta take the door panel off for that.

 

[BrightYellow76]

if you are getting locked out from time to time you need to clean & adjust your lock rod linkage, gotta take the door panel off for that.

Wow. Even better pictures. Thanks for the expert advice - worked like a charm, too! Thanks very much!

Greg

 

[The73vetteman]

Just wanted to say thanks for the pics. I have now managed to get the door open and plan on taking off the panel this week. I want to get to the root cause and make sure that it stays fixed.

Once again, thanks for the help!

'73