Thie driver door has never had a problem and I’ve been using it for a year, but suddenly it only closes to the first click as if you didn’t close your door fully when you need to open it and slam it harder to close fully. However, I cannot get it to fully close. I tried fiddling with the lock and the door almost didn’t want to open again, but somehow I managed to get it open again. Any ideas? Unfortunately this happened while I am in a parking lot in Vail Colorado. Lol. The sun is sitting and it’s a little bit cold lol. I’m gonna pull the door panel off and have a look but I thought I would ask here in case anyone has experienced this before. Thanks for any advice!

update: now I have the door open, but the latch thinks it’s closed and I cannot get it to open again therefore the door will not close.

 

Use a pointy object to push the latch open while holding the door handle in the open position. That should get the latch to release, so you can close the door at least a little bit. Aside from that, I would say try drowning it with some PB blaster, close/open the door several times, till it work reliably, the hit it with a liberal amount of spray white grease. (lithium grease) That *should* take care of it.

 

I appreciate the response. The current state is that it won’t open at all. I’ve tried and tried wiggling everything from the inside lock to the inside handle to the outside, handle to the outside door, lock etc. while pushing and pulling with a screwdriver. It will not open.

Call the auto parts stores and they don’t sell these. Fortunately, I caught the auto parts store just before they close and I was able to purchase a torque bit to remove the latch. I bought some tiedowns to hold the door closed so I guess I’ll just drive to Denver that way. And hope the junkyard has one.

appreciate the reply. Looks like I have all night to fiddle with this one and see if maybe I can get it working but they’re not made to be disassembled it seems.

I did drowned in PB blaster by the way, and that had no positive effect.

 

Are you sure the post the latch grabs onto didn't slide inward? If it is in too far the latch won't engage the second click, and it will be difficult to open the door.

 

Yeah, I’m sure that’s not the problem. Fortunately, a self serve junkyard in Kansas City had one. I installed it in the parking lot and I’m back in business. For two days I’ve been using a ratcheting tiedown to hold the door closed, running from the passenger to the driver side. It’s so nice to be able to use the door again.

 

I have one question...what the heck is going on in the background in that picture?

 

Haha! My daughter was exploring a junk yard for the first time. She liked it more than Disneyland.
I think that was a rolling engine hoist she was standing on.

 

I had a similar experience - I had to use a t47 bit to loosen the latch hook and align it again with the door latch itself