Door lock causes door trigger to not work

175K911 · 10-09-2009, 05:38 AM

I've got a problem that I've not seen addressed here. If I lock, then unlock the driver's door ('86 with power locks), then neither the inside nor the outside door triggers will open the door. They pull normally but won't open the door.

I pulled the door panel off to see if anything is broken and all is OK. When I tried to lock and unlock the door, I discovered that the door trigger strike plate (the part of the mechanism that the door trigger pin pushes against) was moving correctly but still not allowing the latch to release. If I gently pry the mechanism it pops free and allows the triggers to work normally.

However, if I refrain from using my door lock, everything works fine. So the power actuator is unplugged at the moment so I can still use the car.

Thoughts?

Christien · Christien's Garage

I would imagine your 86 is significantly different than my 72, but I encountered a similar (though not identical) problem with mine that may at least help your thinking in diagnosis. I replaced my door handle trigger because it broke, and the new trigger was too long. I learned in the process that the piece that locks and unlocks the door is the same piece that opens the door with the handle. Basically, you rotate it left and right to lock and unlock, and push it in to open. When I unlocked it by rotating to the left, the spring loaded pin (that would normally push the piece to open the door) would the slip past the rotating part of the piece and therefore prevent the piece from rotating back and locking the door, as well as opening the door.

Here's a bit more of a detailed write-up:
Door handle trigger replacement - garbage

Hope that helps a bit.

175K911 · 10-09-2009, 06:53 AM

Thanks Christien. That was my first thought, but not the case. I've got one of the Pelican replacement trigger assemblies on the car and it's been fine (actually just OK since when I removed it last evening the area that the push pin rides in is very worn and sloppy.) But the trigger rod is contacting that rotating plate in the right place.

I suspect the lock mechanism is old, gritty and just gummed up from 23 years of use. But before I pull the entire door apart window frames and all I thought I'd see if there was anything else that might be my problem.

MURF · 10-09-2009, 08:02 AM

Door lock electric switches on handle go bad drivers door is most used

175K911 · 10-09-2009, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MURF

Door lock electric switches on handle go bad drivers door is most used

Switch and door lock actuator are working correctly..... for now

msk1986911 · 10-09-2009, 08:46 AM

I've got the same problem (also an '86 coupe). When I unlock the passenger door, using the key, I cannot open the driver's door by either the inside or outside handles, although I have had no issues unlocking either door with the key. I would also say that the switch and actuator work fine. Not quite sure what the problem is and hope to hell it does not cause me to get locked out, even with the use of the key.

Mike

86 911 Targa · 10-09-2009, 11:28 AM

Here's the circuit.

Hope it helps.

Gerry

911speedin · 10-22-2010, 09:07 PM

Has anyone been able to resolve this door lock issue? I am having the same problem on my '86. The lock motor works, it just doesn't pop up the driver's side knob..
Any help would be appreciated from those that have found the culprit in the system.

jrumiano · jrumiano's Garage

Are you trying to lock and unlock the door while its open?