Expert: William Forster - 7/24/2006

Question
Question about a stuck driver's side door on my 94 Camaro (it was an accident replacement door a long time ago, but I don't think that necessarily has an effect here).  Both the inside and outside handles and the levers attached to them seem to be working,  but nothing is happening within the mechanism that they attach to. I can't get any more travel out of the levers than there is already. I got the interior panel off so I can get at the insides. It seems like it must be something within that little "box" the levers go to in the door, but how the heck is someone supposed to work on that when the torx bolts that hold it in place are only accessible when the door is open? Before I start cutting things, I'm sure there's a GM secret in there somewhere (hopefully!)

Any help you could provide would be certainly appreciated.

Thanks much!
Mark

Answer
First, remove the outter door handle and lock. It will allow you a little more light, and eliminate them as the problem. Sometimes the outter door handle pivot will get rusty and stick. If it still doesn't open,  look at the levers that the rods pull. (on the latch assembly) There is probably rust holding the door handle release in a permanent open position. I know that it seems like this would make the door NOT close and lock, but just the opposite happens. You can't open the door. Probably a safety thing. Now, something in the latch that the door handle release rod pivot pulls aganst is stuck, you need to figure out what that is, and put it back into the normal position. Only then will the door open, but it will only work 1 time. If you shut the door again, it will need re- positioned again before the door will open. You probably need a new latch assembly, the old one is probably rusty, or has a broken spring. Hope this helps. If not, take it to a pro. It's worth the money, because cutting is not an option here. The door is fiberglass. Bill