Here'* the deal...

After fixing my broken tail light mount I thought I would get the car washed and get some fresh pictures. Well, I got the car washed and all is going well. Crusin down the road in a clean ride, system cranked, blah.. blah...blah.... So I swung by my parents house for a while to say hi. They live 5 minutes from the car wash I went to. So I get there and go inside for a while. I come back out side and hop in the car, close the door, and start the engine. Then I notice the door light is still on. So I try to close the door again, no go! Now I am getting pissed. I played with the latch a bit and realized that whatever normally locks the latch in place just wan't working.

Long story short.... I drove 20 miles home in 6 degree weather with my drivers door ties shut to the piller between the doors (windows were slightly open to do so ). So I gotta tear apart the door tomorrow to see what is wrong. I'm guessing that something internal to the latch mechanism broke. If anyone has a diagram of the latch mechanism that would help . Anyways.... that was my night.

My diagram doesn't break it out well enough. Have you tried the classic GM trick?

Is the hook in the down position? Preventing the door from even closing? Lift the door handle, and push the hook back up (or is it down?). It gets out of sequence sometimes. Every GM car or truck I've owned does this eventually. Once every couple years.

The latch moves freely. I did check for it'* postion already. Had that happen with just about every one of my cars in the past. I think I will try to throw some warm air in there to make sure there just isn't a piece frozen in position. It did happen right after the car wash so who knows. It is acting as if the mechanism is in the "open the door" mode. Maybe when the door was opened it just didn't reelaes whatever to let it latch again. I'll try this tomorrow to see if it helps.

Ok, if that'* the case, it sounds like the latch spring broke. It'* a torsion spring. I don't think it'* user-repairable. If that'* the case, the pn for the driver'* door latch is:

GM PART # 16637786
CATEGORY: Front Side Door Lock
PACK QTY: 1 CORE CHARGE: $0.00
GM LIST: $72.37
OUR PRICE: $41.25
DESCRIPTION: LOCK-F/SD

It lists the same part number for L and R. Wierd. Better check first.

The heat thing worked. I held my propane space heater near the door (not to close to melt things ) and after about 5 minutes I hear this little "click". So I slam the door shut to see if if bounces back open and low and behold, it stayed shut. So I tried it a few more times and even tried to push the door open from inside but it stayed closed. Glad it worked because I wasn't looking forward to pulling the door apart in 10 degree weather.

What'* 'ICE'?

You know, that frozen water stuff (like you put in your drinks) but we have it about 6 months a year.

I saw that once. Makes the stereo antenna not wanna go down. Is that the stuff you're talking about? Clear, looks like glass, and won't come off no matter how fast you drive?

Yup, that'* the stuff. It also encourages new drivers to go off-roading in freeway ditches!

Like Drifter!


Glad you got it fixed, Gord. For cheap! (and yes, we get pretty damn icy here, just not encapsulating like yours)