Door lock problem.....help !!!

roadiesean · 05-26-2015, 12:26 AM

So I'm pulling the doors apart on my new '79 SC because the windows don't go up and the drivers (LHD) door won't lock. All gone well and I have the lock and it seems that the problem is the lever that starts in the middle and has a small spring to the lower left hand side of the photo.

Basically this lever controls an arm which goes into a slot which seems to stop the locking mechanism (the fork at the top right and the eyelet in the top left which feeds the bar that runs to the inside snob) from turning at all. The spring that you can see in the photo pulls it down into that slot, but there is nothing which pulls it back out.

I've pulled the right hand door apart and this door locks perfectly inside and out and it doesn't have that lever which pokes into the slot. If if pull the lever back, the door (left hand) works perfectly, but there seems to be nothing that is meant to pull it back.

Is this simply the wrong lock on the door (I think its had new doors at some point), or is there a problem with this lock ? I don't want to go and buy a new lock if I'm going to have the same problem, or if its something I can fix myself. It seems like I could permanently hold the lever back and the locks would work well, but I don't want to bugger it up either ! Douglas Valley have a lock that would work, but like I say, no need, more money for other things !!!

the problem seems to be the lever in the middle on the left with the spring attached. If you look closely the base of the lever is shiny, when you push it with your thumb to the left, it pulls the top out of a slot and it allows the locking mechanism to roll and work. When you release your thumb, it springs back into the slot and the lock will not lock or unlock. I have pulled the other door apart and taken the locking mechanism out and there is no such lever and spring on the other side.

The thing is that there seems to be nothing within the mechanism that pushes that lever to the left (like my thumb), there doesn't seem to be anything missing, but without something pushing that lever so it releases from the slot, it simply will not rotate the locking mech and it will not unlock it. The date stamp is a 1979 one, so it should be the right lock for the car. If I take the spring off the lever and somehow force it to stay open and out of the slot, will the car lock ???

Really struggling with this, any help would be gratefully appreciated.

twistoffat · 05-26-2015, 01:08 AM

This is the way is should look. The spring on your fork also looks shot.

roadiesean · 05-26-2015, 01:23 AM

Thanks for that, its exactly how mine looks, sorry for the confusing naming of directions, I though the photo would come out with the fork at the top, instead its side on. The lever I am talking about is the one just down from the FIXED NUT at the top in your photo, what causes it to release from its slot ??? Without it coming out of the slot, it simply won't unlock and if the fork looks buggered its because people have (Id say) been forcing the lock for years.

cabmandone · cabmandone's Garage

If you take the fork and move it so it locks then then back to unlock I believe you should be able to then push in on the arm that the fork is attached to and the latch should operate.
Spray the entire mechanism with Kroil or PB Blaster and see if that will free it up. Otherwise, go on the used parts forum and put a Want To Buy for a latch mechanism.

bkreigsr · 05-26-2015, 05:03 AM

Not sure if this applies to 79 or not, but I went crazy with my 85, because the driver's side will not lock from the inside under some circumstances. The driver's side mechanics and electrics are different than the passenger side.
Good luck
Bill K

Sicklyscott · 05-26-2015, 06:09 AM

Might be dumb point but my drivers door only locks if the door is closed.

Algernon · Algernon's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sicklyscott

Might be dumb point but my drivers door only locks if the door is closed.

Yes, that's how it's meant to be - but still rather annoying at times!

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Install an aftermarket electronic door lock. solved my problems...cheaply.

roadiesean · 06-04-2015, 07:23 AM

So the answer is that that lever is to ensure you don't lock your keys in the car, it will not work unless the door is closed. The problem was actually in the lock mechanism in the door handle. I swapped them from the left to right and it all works perfectly, even the door with the old lock in it ! Bizarre.