I had my door off my car for a couple days and I went to put it on and some how the latch moved to the locking position. No matter what I do I can't get it to open up. So I can't close the door.

I've pulled on the inside and outside handle and still no luck. Do I need the key to unlock it? I did not receive any door keys when I bought the car? Or is the locking mechanism bad and seized up on it?

Car is a 1965 Oldsmobile Jetstar

 

You just need to put a screw driver in the latch and pull it open just as the door striker would do if the door were actually closed.

 

The door lock cylinder has a code stamped on it and if you take the cylinder to the dealer they can cut you a new set of keys... same for the ignition...

 

To unlock the door why not pull up on the interior door lock button? If that isn't there, reach into the back of the exterior lock and move the arm on the latch by hand. With it unlocked, do as W70442 says but make sure you are pressing the door handle button or pulling on the interior handle when you do this. It should allow the latch to rotate and return to an "open" position.

 

I tried all of these methods. I had to take a long flat head screw driver and push down on the tab inside of the door. So I'm guessing I just need to locate a new locking mechanism.

 

Try removing the latch and put it in the work bench to see if you can get it to work. Spray a little oil on it too. Post a picture or two and I can see if you are not doing something correctly. If it worked before, it seems odd that it would break while sitting there.

 

Thanks, I'll try to pop it out tonight, hopefully I can get it back in, I hate working on these doors, trying to stuff your arms in the little arm hole haha.

I never lock my doors, so I'd be fine if the latch never locked, I just don't want it to say in the locked position when I close it. That's what I'm afriad of.

 

I had a problem with my door latch a couple of weeks ago. The door would not open no matter what i did. I ended up taking the door off completely. I had to replace the door latch. Door now opens a whole lot easier since i replaced it. I am also going to now replace the other side since i have to tug on it get it open. The latch came from fusicks

 

Well I figured out the problem, and I'm not sure how it happened.

The Metal rod that goes from the door handle on the inside of the door, to the latch seemed to be to long?

When I removed the latch everything worked properly so I reinstalled it.

Tried to open the door from the inside again and nothing. I noticed that it wasn't pulling the lever far enough back. Maybe worn springs or something who knows?

I just removed the level, cut about 1/4" off, bent a 90degree elbow and mounted it back up and it works perfectly

 

Like I always believe, "every problem has an engineering solution"...
Glad you got it fixed.