[RC 70]

I just got my car back from a take every panel off the car paint job and now my drivers side door won't open. It did when I first got it back so I don't know if there is sanding dust down in the latch or what?
The door handle is on but no lock or door panels. Anybody have any ideas?

 

[ChaosMalibu]

Try umm...
Unlocking it...

J/K
Umm..
Mybe the paint dried and bonded the door to the body...
My driver side fender and the extention was bonded by the paint..

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1972 Chevelle Malibu custom 4dr
Restoration started: February 10th 2001

[email protected]

Newly TC member #1278

 

[BB_Mike]

This kinda falls under the "engine wont start category" -It wont 'run' or it won't turn over at all?!?!

-Can you engauge either the outside button or inside lever and feel the latch let go? Will the door give 1" and then stop?

The outter knob works kind of odd. It is just a rod and lever setup. The botton being the rod. AFter years of use this piece can bend and prevent the latch from FULLY un-latching.

With the pannels off, nows as good a time as any to inspect and get a feel for how all this stuff works.

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71' 3880# with me. Big Block 402, TH400, 3.73 posi,
13.1sec @ 105 MPH (poor 2.1 sixty foot and rookie tuning)
--will be racing at Chevellebration 2001!--
Picture of me roasting the tires and other guy stuff
Video of me staging (smoke of course)

 

[RC 70]

Chaos...Now why didn't I think of that.

Mike...The inside and outside door handles are working fine. I did reach inside where the outside handle engages the lever and make sure it was operating at full extension and still no go. Also tapped carefully inside the door on the latch. It worked when I first got it back, but won't release now.

Anybody else have any suggestions?

 

[Peter F.]

How hard have you pushed on the door. I've had doors stick for various reasons and I've had to literally hold the latch and kick or shoulder the door open once or twice. A door can really jam up and take more force than you'd think to open it. If you know the latch is operating/releasing put some force into it from the inside.

Peter

 

[Mr69]

Once you do get it open, I'll bet you find that the weatherstripping is sticking to the paint. My car has been doing this for a while now. Be sure to get one of those grease sticks (like a paste), at the auto parts store and lube the latch and striker. And the hood latch, trunk latch, glove box !!
Does anyone have any ideas on what to put on the weatherstrip or paint to make it so that they do not stick to each other ? wax ??
Nate

 

[ChaosMalibu]

Oh. just remembers something..
I ones had the same problem in my pass door..
I kicked it from the inside very hand and nothing seemed to move...
try pulling up the inside door lock.. (i don't know what its called.. the thingy that pulls up and down as you open the door.. near the window, but from the inside)

Well.. try pulling it up hard and then while you pull try to open the door..

But than again, it could be what i said in the 1st place.. paint dried and bonded.. mybe to the weather strips like SS3964N8 said.

------------------
1972 Chevelle Malibu custom 4dr
Restoration started: February 10th 2001

[email protected]

Newly TC member #1278


[This message has been edited by ChaosMalibu (edited 05-27-2001).]

 

[red2rider]

Armorall works great on weatherstripping to keep things from sticking. Helps get things seated in too. NOT recommended against fresh paint.

 

[RC 70]

There isn't any weatherstripping on the door yet, so that's not it.

The latch itself that closes over the striker IS NOT releasing and I've tried the outside and inside door handles to no avail. Even though the mechanism inside the door appears to be working the latch will still not release. What can I do?

 

[RC 70]

I got it. Turns out that Chaos was right all along. Car has power door locks and I was operating them manually. Reached inside and with the help of a screwdriver, made the inside mechanism move a little futher and voila`. Thanks to everyone who tried to help.

 

[Mr69]

Whew, it's a good thing !
I was just gonna suggest a Sawzall !!
Nate