Door Latch Stuck

[VTMopar]

Help!   I'm in the midst of a road trip and my driver's side door latch suddenly is stuck (closed)....    This is on a '70 Challenger Vert.    I worked on it for 2 hours this afternoon, trying to get it to open.    I even took the other door panel off to compare - and make sure I saw how it functioned.    Nothing worked....

I can't even get the door panel off.....   I'm thinking the inside of the mechanism that lifts the "hook" off the latch is somehow broken.   Now what do I do?   Can't get at the hinges....   

 

I'm in the midst of a 3000 plus mile road trip - sure wish it were the passenger side instead  

VT Mopar

PS     Since I probably will need a new latch when I find a way to get it open -- does anyone have one they could part with?

[FY1Cuda]

Sorry that your door latch is messing up your road trip.  I can't imagine how to fix it when you can't even get the door open.  I have one on the "parts for sale" thread that you might be interested in.
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=82218.0

[FY1Cuda]

Looked at our car to see what I could see. If the latch is broken in the locked position, I don't know what to tell you.  What I did discover is that if the door is locked, either with a key or from the inside by the armrest, I was able to unlock it by taking a paint stirring stick, sliding it down through the window opening, and pushing down on the round "cylinder".  That cylinder is the thing on a lever  that is about an inch in diameter and about 1/2" thick.  Just pushing it down about 1/4" unlocked the door (which surprised me).  Hope you solve your mystery.

[VTMopar]

Thanks FY1 Cuda - the 70's are slightly different from later years.....  although I think they work.      My issue is the locking mechanism - you are correct about how to unlock it -- mine locks and unlocks... but I think the mechanism (or spring) that unhooks it from the door jamb is broken or jammed....

I'm stumped...

VT Mopar

[Super Blue 72]

Man this stinks.  If it is the latch that locks onto the striker I'm at a loss!  Man, wish there is something I could offer you...  At least it's the convertible, just keep the top down.

[jimynick]

Sometimes they'll get caught between locked and unlocked and when you try to open the latch it jams. I'd buy a can of good penetrant with the long red nozzle and using a flashlight, spray the beejeezus out of the latch when the window's down. After it had a chance to soak, I'd cycle the lock mechanism open and closed lots of times and would want it to have a good feeling open and close action. Try flipping the outside handle a few times as well in case it's partially engaged and conflicting with the lock function. You can probably see the arm that the opening rod attaches to and perhaps a long skinny screwdriver could be gotten onto it if it's stuck. That's all I can think of, so good luck! 

[VTMopar]

Jimmy nick.    That's what it feels like.....caught in between.     I nearly emptied a can of WD 40 on the latch last night......tried many time to get her to open......  Still no luck.     

[HP_Cuda]

KROIL

[Street_Challenged73]

I'd say either AeroKroil penetrating oil or I've been stuck on using CRC's 5-56 oil...I got several cans at an estate sale & have been finding all sorts of great uses for it (plus it smells much better than most aerosol penetrating oils).


Sent from the garage

[VTMopar]

Ill pick up some aerokoil today.......  Hope it works!   

 Thanks
Vt MopR

[dodj]

Try pushing in on the door with your hip to take any pressure off the latch mechanism, then pull on the door handle?

[74challenger03]

  man thats a bummer

[VTMopar]

It appears that the handle is working and moving all the parts...... I can see them.....  But the "hook" isn't releasing off the striker bolt on the door jamb.     

[AARuFAST]

As dodj mentioned push in on the door and full handle.  Careful those handles break easy....
Is  the rod inside of the latch connected in the door latch and handle, you will need a good flashlight to look. This rod is connected to door handle and latch/

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DOOR-HANDLE-LINKAGE-ROD-70-74-AAR-CUDA-CHALLENGER-R-T-383-440-HEMI-RALLYE-MOPAR-/140908688149?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20cecff315&vxp=mtr#ht_1015wt_1061

There are two rods going to the latch. one from the outside door handle and one from the inside handle.


Look at the pictures.  The rods would snap into the green & white plastic ends.
if the rod is missing get a cloth hanger and bend it about an inch on one end to hook it into the plastic end. pull easy on the hanger. push in on the door at same time. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1971-74-CHALLENGER-CUDA-PASSENGER-RIGHT-SIDE-DOOR-LATCH-MOPAR-/160843799234?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2573099ac2&vxp=mtr#ht_1313wt_1299

[VTMopar]

Fixed!     Many thanks to Don (the Orangeman) who has a shop in Panama City and gave me a hand.   It took some floor jacks and brute strength......it seems the wedge (that are unique to on convertibles) was loose and was causing the door to jam up......  Just lucky, I guess that it didn't happen earlier.    A good lesson in preventive maintenance!

Thanks to all for your advice and suggestions........  Now to continue my road trip

Vt Mopar