unlock a 41 door

[Paul K.]

I just bought a 41 Continental this week and the passenger door is locked. From reading earlier posts on this subject it appears the door was locked with the key so the inside knob will not unlock. I have the keys but the lock just spins and does not seem to connect or turn the mechanism inside the door. What next?

[Guest imported_V12Bill]

If the lock just spins, it appears that a small tit on the back of the lock cylinder might be broken off. If you remove the trim panel from the door, and get access to the lock, you may be able to pull down the bar that the cylinder is supposed to move to block the push butten from going into the latch.Now the door can be openned and the cylinder removed and repaired. It might be easier to remove the trim panel if the front seat is removed first.

[Guest amh]

I just had a similar problem with a 41 Zephyr - ended up taking off the door panel, the window window frame and window mechanism all to try and get to the lock - really hard to do.

If the lock merely spins, is it the cylinder or the entire lock mechanism? The entire lock cylinder slips into the door from the outside and is held in place by one screw. If that screw is loose, it is possible that the entire mechanism is turning - although most likely the tab in the back is broken. If it is the entire lock mechanism, try holding the outside of the lock while you turn the key. This is a tough one to fix.