69 Rivera drivers door lock stuck. Cannot open door.

[mjhenks]

New to the group.  69 Riviera been garaged since 96.  Drivers door will not open.  Passenger side does.  Have keys.

 

Key locks and unlocks the drivers side door and i can see the interior lock knob go up/down.

Door will not open from inside or outside handle.

In testing the passenger side i can feel the outside door push button engage something about halfway depressed when door is unlocked which clearly opens the door when further depressed.

When passenger side locked there is no such feeling the entire stroke.

Drivers side door has no such feeling locked or unlocked entire stroke.

 

I suspect something is broken and not moving in the door lock mech when the key is unlocked and thus is stays locked.

 

Any guidance on how to get it open without destroying the door panel?

[telriv]

1st. put the window all the way down.  Then get a flashlight & look at the lock mechanism on the door.  There is a spring in there that's broken.  With a long screwdriver you can push the part to where it should be & the door should open.  Maybe have someone operate the door that works & look at what is moving & what is not when playing with the right lock mechanism.  Then you'll familurize yourself with how the system works.

 

Tom T.

[mjhenks]

Thank you Tom!  Guess i will have to get the electrical working first so i can drop the window down.  Much appreciated.

[EmTee]

On 10/8/2020 at 10:54 AM, mjhenks said:

Guess i will have to get the electrical working first so i can drop the window down. 

 

Ha -- I resemble that remark!  Why is it that every job I attempt always expands x2 (or more)... 

 

Good luck with yours!

[mjhenks]

Ha!  I was able to get it open.  With the window downs i could get a screw driver on the latch and the door opened.

[telriv]

That same thing happened to me MANY years ago on my 1 of 2  '68 WildCat.  Now that you know the trick to open it  IF  left that way & someone pushes the door button in when you go to unlock the door with your key it won't open again so you know someone pressed the push button in trying to open the door BEFORE it was unlocked with the key.

 

Tom T.