Rick's yellow Excel is in the garage next door (my parents in law are our new neighbours, so I've opportunistically doubled my garage space until they move in ). Got a few jobs to do on it, including the window motor, which we have operating but the window is stiff in the guides (yes, lots of furniture polish and up and down movement).
With the door card off, the lock mechanism seems to have gone awol. The two rods are connected to the lock and the key locks and unlocks the door, but the catch doesn't seem to release whether I use the inner or outer lever or actuate the rod directly. The rod moves and there is no more travel available, but the catch remains closed. Also tried applying pressure inward and outward whilst trying to release the catch, but no joy. I've searched door locks in the forum but not come across anything that helps. Any thoughts or directions to what I've missed?
Hate to say it, but that sounds like it could be a failure of the latch mechanism itself. I've had it happen the other way - i.e. it wouldn't latch properly and had a tendency to fly open on corners.
Agreed, I had that issue briefly when replacing door beams. I pulled the mechanism out (yet again) and going back in on the second attempt, it started to work for no apparent reason. Was probably hung on the lower door or something and found a happy home the next go-round. I've spent countless hours in the doors - they still aren't perfect. For instance, the windows work great with no effort with the door mostly disassembled and some bolts loose in places, as I tighten things up and add door the lock mechanism, door card, vapor barriers, rubber trim etc. the windows get tighter and slower. I've now learned the control arm fouls the plastic bulge of the auto door lock, so I try not to go down past 5/6 open. It goes, but pops past the bulge which stresses the screws even popped a few out of the GRP. Getting the frames to seal the upper body adds to the foray!!
If you pull the latch apart, be sure to put the spacers back in. two washer like rings and a custom shaped plate. Also, one allen headed screw is shorter than the other 3. It goes where in the hole that aligns to the side of the window frame so it doesn't put lateral pressure on the track. This is very important to get right! ask me how I know :<)
-Bill
1991-92ish Lotus Excel SE Silk Red
2009 Jeep Wrangler X Unlimited 4X4
2015.5 Volvo V60 T5
Previous: 2005 Toyota Prius, 2002 Nissan Maxima SE 6 speed, 1988 Toyota 4Runner, 1989 Toyota 4Runner, 1995 Dodge Neon, 1986 Ford Mustang
Uh-oh. I had a nagging doubt that it wouldn't be simple, as all the levers and rods appeared to do as expected.
Is it time to break out the big crowbar? I'm trying to figure out whether I can spring the latch using a fine screwdriver or a hooked implement. From recollection it is screwed into the end of the door beam, so I'll need the door open to remove the latch....
At least you have the door card off so can get access to try poking and prodding at the internals of the latch itself. Don't forget that there are adapter plates which connect the rods to the actual latch mechanism. A bit of wear on the plates or slop/misalignment on the fixings which attach the rods to them might be enough to prevent things working correctly, while a well-aimed prodding tool might just release things.
You're right, btw, the latch is attached to the beam and you need the door open to remove it.
The absolute last resort could be to try to unbolt the striker plate from the body, through the speaker cavities and then the hinge brackets from the body in order to get the whole door off.
Uh, right, the door is stuck closed. that sux!
Do make sure the latch is 'unlocked' this can be done moving the rods about. There are a pair of rods going up and a pair horizontal. of each pair one is the lock, the other the door latch release. the interior horizontal rods go to the near side of the latch mechanism. The short vertical ones go to the outside of the latch but of course they have an interdependence which starts with the locking mechanism. So fiddle with the lock mechanism rods on both sides and then see if it'll unlatch the door. I'd suggest doing this with the key in the lock to actuate the outer lock rod, however it might be out of adjustment requiring the rod be disconnected from the cylinder and rotated a few rotations to screw it in or out to a better adjustment and re-attached. Again it's PITA and lots of trial and error. Good luck!!
-Bill
1991-92ish Lotus Excel SE Silk Red
2009 Jeep Wrangler X Unlimited 4X4
2015.5 Volvo V60 T5
Previous: 2005 Toyota Prius, 2002 Nissan Maxima SE 6 speed, 1988 Toyota 4Runner, 1989 Toyota 4Runner, 1995 Dodge Neon, 1986 Ford Mustang
If it helps this is the Drivers side exterior door latch from inside; the arm to the right is the lock cylinder, I'd start there:
You can see the horizontal rods here, but not much help really.
-Bill
1991-92ish Lotus Excel SE Silk Red
2009 Jeep Wrangler X Unlimited 4X4
2015.5 Volvo V60 T5
Previous: 2005 Toyota Prius, 2002 Nissan Maxima SE 6 speed, 1988 Toyota 4Runner, 1989 Toyota 4Runner, 1995 Dodge Neon, 1986 Ford Mustang
Thanks for the photos and suggestions. We're currently at the inlaws as part of the Christmas Grand Tour, so will be back in the garage Tuesday evening to investigate, starting with lifting door, jiggling lock rods with key in lock and pushing door from inside. Will let you know how it goes.
As promised, I tackled Rick's car on Wednesday. Got the passenger window down enough to operate the rods directly, but even with fullest rod movement the latch didn't want to play. I got the latch half open and with a combination of lifting, tugging/jiggling and finally a very firm pull, the latch opted to release the door. The rod is definitely not opening the latch anywhere near fully, so time to remove it and check for wear or breakage. I've disconnected the door light and left the door open for now (it's in the garage).
). Got a few jobs to do on it, including the window motor, which we have operating but the window is stiff in the guides (yes, lots of furniture polish and up and down movement).
