Just recently my 1972 Cutlass drivers side door will not open consistently.

1. From the outside using my key to unlock the door the key will only partially turn when trying to unlock the door. Results = unsuccessful in unlocking the door.

2. I go in from the passengers door and pull up on the drivers side lock latch, but it doesn't pull up all of the way to unlock the door.
Results = unsuccessful.

3. I push the door handle button in while trying to unlock the door and still no joy.
Results = unsuccessful.

4. I pull up from the inside handle while monkeying the latch and still no joy. Results = unsuccessful

5. I get in from the passengers side with the door still stuck and drive 10 minutes to the gas station and to my surprise the inside lock latch fully pulls up and I can open the door when pulling up the handle. What gives???

6. Shut the door and drive off to storage facility and sure enough the door is stuck again and I proceed to steps 1-4 unsuccessfully and say I'm done and not fooling with it now.


Any ideas why this would be intermittently happening? I assume lubricate everything for starters.

 

I've had this happen to my car in the past. Once was when the kids were crawling in and out through the window and pushed the lock down. For some reason I couldn't get it to unlock? I kept messing with it and finally it opened. It's done it a few times since then. Although, it hasn't happened in over a year. But then again, I haven't bothered to lock the door since it's been in my garage.

 

After 40 years of grease and grunge buildup, it is time to pull the door panel off and get everything cleaned and lubed up. Old grease would have hardened into a tar like stuff.
Look for bent or broken linkage parts, too.
If you have power door locks, make sure the plunger is not sticking or stuck.
The latch itself would benefit from a removal and soaking in degreaser, then blowing it dry and regreasing. If the latter cannot be done now, WD40 can help dissolve some of the dried grease and make the latches work again.

 

I've had to fix four or five customer cars over the years with this same problem. Replace the door latch. there's a broken spring that helps release the lock. Gravity will release it if you can vibrate the door with a rubber hammer (careful no dents please) Hope this helps. ~BOB

 

I do not recall the specifics of this door latch, but I have fixed a broken door latch spring by buying a similar spring at the hardware store for less than a buck and just popping it on.

- Eric

 

I had a 1967 with a broken spring in the latch assembly, but haven't looked at the 1972ish to see if it's the same. As Rob suggested, a first step would be to remove the door panel and clean/lube everything. If that doesn't resolve it then removing the latch assembly to inspect for damage or broken parts may be the next step.


John

 

When replacing the outside door handles on an A body, the button pins must be cut to a proper length. I cut mine about 1/2 inch too long. The doors would not unlock! Somehow by working all releases at the same time I was able to get in. The must be a slight amount of play between the pin and the paddle for the locks to work properly. I found this valuable tip on the Team Chevelle website. Saved me lots of aggravation.

 

I have found some of the same problems with aftermarket door handles or chinese made ones,The handles did not have the same depth as oem or the spring with them is terrible and does not hold the rod oem is the way to go if this helps you in your case or maybe something was not stated above. The tolerances on chinese parts is not a exact science there. oem handles are more expensive and latches but it is a small price to pay for peace of mind.