I've searched for "door stuck closed" and "door will not open" and didn't find anything.

I got out this morning, locked the door, and came back a few minutes later to discover my door would not unlock (the key will not go in all the way). No big deal, I'll unlock it from the inside and open it right? Wrong. Won't unlock from the inside either. I mean the latch will move up, like it's unlocked, but it will not. And it won't open from the inside or outside either. I had to climb in from the passenger side, which I thought would be pretty difficult since I'm 6'3", but it wasn't as bad as trying a modified "Duke's of Hazzard" (feet first, pulling myself out with knees touching shoulders and just barely being able to get out). Has anyone had this problem? Is there a way I can fix it, since I can't take the panel off the inside since the door is stuck closed? In the words of Snoop, "if it ain't one thang it's a mother-f**kin-nother".

 

Pop the cover off and maybe you can see something (the one thats inside the car, at the back of the door, just above the door panel). Somehow you gotta get the door open so you can get the door panel off and inspect what happened/broke.

 

Yeah, take the cover off the mechanism on the inside, remove the two screws and see if you can look inside. Sometimes the rods come lose.

 

So I can do that with the door closed?

 

Depends on how bad you want that door open.
Just kidding..Ill have to go out and look later or something but IIRC that panel is mostly snap on aside from a few screws that should be exposed with the door shut. Pop off the small trim triangles I think theres a screw under each, and also one on the back center of the door...like the door jam area with the VIN sticker. I believe thats all and then you just have to work with it to get it to pop off, but there might be more screws under the door near the doorsills...If there is you should still be able to flex the top of the door to get inside the door and pop it open.

 

You got me scared there for a moment, haha.

Well I'm at work right now and I should be getting off in about an hour, so don't worry about it. I'll have a chance to look at it soon enough. It's out in the parking lot so I'll be doing some work-parking-lot maintenance again tonight. Just did some last night too. Thanks guys.

 

if you need any help give me a holler, ill be around

 

Thanks Chris. One of my coworkers and I got it working in the parking lot at work, but it's hard telling how long it will last before it goes out again. I just don't the money right now for new locks.

 

If the key won't go in the lock cylinder, it's a VERY simple problem with the lock cylinder. Remove the door handle and remove the lock cylinder. Take it to a local locksmith - they can clean up, fix it up, etc. for just a few bucks, and will typically do it while you wait.

You need to go to a real locksmith, not a hardware store that cuts keys.

A good locksmith can do all sorts of great things for CHEAP. I had an FC with 2 sets of keys - had the mismatched lock cylinders re-done with new tumblers for the right key, had new "doors" installed in the key cylinders, and had some spare keys cut for like $15 total out the door.

Door handle and unlock problems usually aren't too hard to fix - it's a simple mechanical system. You just have to study it, figure out how it works, and figure out what's binding up, not working right, etc.

Dale

 

Hey thanks Dale! I'll go ahead and take them both off when I get a chance and get them cleaned up. The "door" you're talking about...is that the metal part that the key slides through first? Mine are messed up, and I'd rather get these fixed than have to get all new locks and ignition, I don't have that kinda money right now.

Oh, and on another note Dale...I just finished rebuilding my calipers and painting them. The reason I say this is because I read your write-up for tips. I actually used Plasti-kote caliper paint instead of the model paint but the polishing part I tried to follow your write-up to the T. My only problem was the wire wheels for the dremel...they weren't NEAR big enough and wore out pretty quick, so I just used a wire brush. They turned out pretty well I think. Thanks for the write-up. I'll be reading through all of them on your site too, haha.