Q: Door latch

asked by on June 10, 2016

My door latch is stuck closed. Therefore I can not shut my door. I may have slammed the door a little to hard. I've sat out side with screwdrivers and anything I can think of and the latch is not budging. Yes the door is unlocked and yes I've been holding open the door handle. I really don't want to take the door apart but what else can I do?
My car has an automatic transmission.

Door will not open Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Unfortunately, you have done all that you can do without removing the door panel and accessing the lock assembly from the inside. It is likely that a release rod that connects your handle to the latch has come loose. There will be two mechanisms at play here. The release rod from the door handle and another to lock and unlock the latch. When this occurs, you have no choice but to begin disassembly. Once your inside, take time to study how things work. Even after removing the door panel, there are often other obstructions making it difficult to see all the inner workings. Door work can be one of the more frustrating jobs to do. It’s best not to do it in a hurry.

As stated before, I would be looking for a rod that has come loose. It could be in the locking mechanism or he door handle mechanism. If this is the case, you will probably need a clip that holds it in place. Unfortunately, these clips are not easy to come by. Your best option to find one is a body shop or the dealer. Of course, this is the best case scenario. As I stated earlier, take time to study how things work in there.

An un-clipped release rod is the best scenario here. The next likely cause is the door latch itself. If you suspect the the latch is broken, replacing it is the best thing to do. They are intricate and complicated. I have messed with them in the past with a low success in repair. Best case scenario with a door latch is to thoroughly clean it and lube it. In the case of a latch that won’t move with the methods you have already employed, I don’t think cleaning the latch will suffice. Take your time if you are working on this on your own. And if you need help, a certified technician from YourMechanic can come to your home or office to diagnose your door issue and help you get it repaired promptly.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Truck idling high
Hi there. You may need to have the carburetor adjusted or you have a binding throttle high idle choke linkage. A major vacuum leak can be something that can lead to having a high idling vehicle. A primary cause for...
Difficult to get car to turn over
Hi. If your vehicle is slow to crank or has trouble starting, this may be a sign of a problem with the battery. I would recommend having the battery tested by a professional technician, such as one from YourMechanic, to...
Changing oil grades without flushing
Sure, all oil is mixable. You can mix synthetic and non-synthetic oil, too. You'll just want to take most of the oil out when you change it and what is left is mixable. It won't hurt anything.
Death wobble
Worn steering components will definitely contribute to a loose steering feel but usually don't give you a wobble - unless something was left loose and not tightened properly.. A wobble at certain speeds can be caused by: Out of balance...
Misfires, Rough idle, Engine Check light, and Engine not starting
Hello there, many different faults can cause your 2002 Chevrolet S10 to have starting issues, misfires and lack of power. The first step would be to scan the truck to determine what codes are present, this will determine what route...
My car does not start, it had overheating issues in the past
Sometimes when a heater hose has a leak, coolant will find a way to seep into electrical sensors or ignition components that will impact the vehicle's ability to start. However, if the overheating issue was bad enough, it may have...
Diagnosing a valve cover gasket leak - 2009 Ford Fusion
The valve cover gasket will be the highest point of the engine that could be leaking oil. Any oil leak from the valve cover will leak down over the rest of the engine. Without visually seeing the valve cover to...
So I have been without heat and air conditioner my car for a month a friend today looked and saw that i had no antifreeze /coolant
Hi there: There are several moving parts that comprise the heater and AC system and help them to work efficiently. If the engine was low on coolant, it's possible that the heater core may have been damaged. However, it's very...
When I turn my car on it bogs down off and on but when I turn my ac on it will keep doing it worse and then the car starts shaking
There are a number of things that may cause the engine to bog down as you describe. The reason this appears to be worse when the AC is on is that the AC compressor requires a bit more power from...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Chevrolet Volt
Whether Whether you’re concerned about the environment or just want a vehicle that allows you to use less gas, the 2012 Chevrolet Volt might be just right for you. Designed to run entirely via an electric current, this electric hybrid...
How to Replace Your Power Windows
Though Though some cars still come with manual windows, they are few and far between. Manual windows had few failures as there were not many moving parts. Electric windows, on the other hand, have more moving parts, as well as...
How to Open Your Car Hood
To open your car hood, find the lever inside the passenger cabin and pull it. Find the hood release latch in the grille to open it all the way.