My driver's side front door won't stay closed (latched). When I open the door and look at the end, I can see that the rotating latching mechanism that is visible from the outside, and simulate the motion it would make when encountering the fixed metal peice on the door jam, I see that the peice is free to rotate into the "latched" position but there is no "catching" noise at that point like there is on the one on the passenger side, and when I push it back the other way it moves freely. So obviously the door will not stay closed.


Working with the passenger side door, I can simulate the *appearance* of the problem by making sure the door is unlocked, then simply holding the plastic latch handle on the door interior (or the one on the door exterior) in the fully lifted position, the position it goes to when you are in the act of unlatching the door. Then the rotating latching mechanism moves freely back and forth and never "catches".

However, I'm not sure that is actually simulating the actual *mechanics* of the problem.

One detail-- the problem is *slightly* intermittent. It happens *almost* every time I try to slam or pull the door closed, but not *every* time. But it's getting more frequent. like, changing from 9 times out of 10, to more like 49 times out of 50.

It was my impression that manipulating the *locking* mechanism between attempts made the problem with the *latching* mechanism somewhat *less* likely to occur on the next attempt to pull the door closed, but I don't know for sure that that was accurate.

Another detail that *may*, or *may not*, be related -- a few days ago I was occasionally having a *different* problem with that door, where I couldn't *OPEN* (unlatch) it from the inside, trapping me in the car. I realized that rather than pull harder on the unlatching handle, if I let go of the unlatching handle, then manipulated the locking mechanism, then tried again, the door would usually open. I can't remember exactly how I was manipulating the locking mechanism-- maybe simply moving the lever into the "locked" position and then back into the "unlocked" position.

(These doors are not designed to be able to be unlatched from the inside if the locking mechanism is in the "locked" position, as some cars are, where attempting to unlatch also automatically unlocks.)

So-- A) Are these two separate problems related, or was it just a coincidence that I experienced first one, then the other, in a short time?

and B) what is the cause of my current inability to be unable (on almost every attempt) to slam or pull the door closed and have it stay latched closed?

and C) where should I start troubleshooting?

Thanks very much, and please help -- I need to keep my transportation going and going around with a rope or bungee inside running between the two front doors is not fun!

 

You need to replace the latch. The locking mechanism is broken.

 

By incredible luck one was located in town. Yes before reading the reprevious post we identified that a plastic piece that is (part of?) the locking mechanism in the old one that we pulled off the car, was floppy on its pivot point mounting.

 

Replacement latch from junkyard installed, interior panel and interior handles / controls back on and everything is working normally including key lock and exterior handle (not yet installed but one can pull still operate the basic mechanical part that the handle is attached to. That's progress, didn't think would be able to resolve this in a single day's work including getting the replacement part from a salvage part. I feel sorry for the guy who had to get it off the car for me, they don't allow customers to go out into the yard, and considering his labor time, the price they charged me for the part was dirt cheap! Steve

 

Glad you're good.