Can't lock door unless closed?

[TeeJayHoward]

My driver's door refuses to lock unless it is shut. I had pulled the door handle off previously, and I'm guessing I mucked something up during the reinstall. Has anyone here experienced this before, and if so, how did you fix it?

[David Inc.]

There is, if I remember right, a latch or knob or some such around the latch on the door itself that turns this on or off. My driver's door only locks with the door shut as well, while the passenger allows it.

In general it's not a bad idea to prevent locking one's keys in the car.

Edit: Maybe it's a key slot in the door? It escapes me at the moment, but I remember flipping it back and forth on the passenger door somehow.

Edit part two: This is a non-central locking car, of course.

[GH85Carrera]

What year is your 911?

On my 85 Carrera it will not lock unless both door are closed all the way. If they are slightly open, the doors just unlock immediately. That is normal.

[jac1976]

On my ‘77, I can lock and shut the passenger door, but the driver’s door must be shut to lock and remain locked. A minor inconvenience compared to the inconvenience of locking your keys in the car.

[76FJ55]

specifics probably depend on the year of your car (always good to specify when you ask a question). Do you have manual locks, or central locking...

In general, the driver's door will not lock unless it is closed, which is a design feature to keep you from accidentally locking your keys in the car.

[rwest]

I believe on my ‘77, if you hold the latch while you shut the door, you can lock it without using a key- I kind of like using the key, so if the door is locked, the key isn’t inside!

[QueWhy]

I think that’s a feature not a bug.

[rwest]

According to my manual, the passenger door can be locked by holding the latch in by closing, but my car works on the driver door too- just checked, maybe my handle has been switched?

[TeeJayHoward]

Huh. Learn something new every day. Thanks everyone!

(manual locking, 1981 911 SC)