hi to all, i've run into a most vexing problem with my outside driver's side door handle. the inside door handle swings freely open/closed (it seems without engaging any mechanism inside the door though), the button freely pops up/down manually as well as with the key, but the outside push button is jammed. i looked in the fischer body manual and it looks like the door needs to be open to even get the inside panel off to get inside. i plan on doing this to the other door to get an idea of what might be going on in the jammed one, but this info still wont get me inside it! the only thing i've come up with is tapping the button with a rubber mallet, to no avail. totally stumped, and if anyone has any ideas i'd be forever grateful, thanks.
the door will not unlock properly with the button pushed in. avoid pushing on it again. is it stuck deep in the hole? or does it just move without doing anything. it will need to be all the way out. it has a pin that pushes on a lever atttached to the door latch. that lever is spring loaded to follow the button as it comes out. these springs always break causing the latch to be stuck in their locked position. with the button all the way out and the lock button down try slapping the face of the door in the lock area and then popping the lock button up. repeat this a few times and the lever on the latch should come back to it's "unpushed" position and the doorlock button will come up a little higher and feel different. you should now be able to open your door. Hope this solves your problem
If all else fails, you may need to resort to some type of "slim-jim" tool setup, and wedges, maybe good fortune and a coat hanger, to try to catch the latch and pull it while looking thru the window slot. Try with window up, and with window down...sometimes it's easier one way or the other depending on the car. Never had to break into mine, so not sure which is the best method for an old Bird.
If you're not real familar with how the mechanism works, I agree 100% with your plan to pull the other trim panel off your functioning door and study it. Even practice opening and closing it with a coat hanger or something thru the window slot, while it's open and no trim panel, to see what it is in there you need to grab, and what kind of tool you can make or use to reach it. Makes it much easier to catch the correct rod/lever with the slim jim or coathanger if you know exactly what you're aiming for, cuz you're mostly gonna be doing it blind on the stuck door. Again wedges are you friend for visibility...easily made out of wood to spread the window slot wider for light and a line of vision.
If you don't have decent tools to do this, a locksmith service charge might actually be less expensive and surprisingly quick and easy, if you're just wanting to get the door open. Obviously DON'T CLOSE IT until you at least pull the trim panel off, then you can trouble-shoot it or whatever.
I've actually known of more than one body shop over the years that has been forced to sacrifice an interior trim panel to get a jammed door open...locksmith failed or whatever, and the shop just was fordced to take a knife/crowbar or whatever to it and tear it to pieces. Then buy a new trim panel. So if you happen to be needing or wanting a new trim panel this is your golden opportunity LOL...
thanks a lot for getting back to me. believe it or not i havent actually tried to slim jim it as i was sure it wasnt a lock issue, it's a handle/button issue, but i'll give it a try. i know the first time i locked my keys in the car (and only time i will add haha) i was surprised at how easy it was to pop the lock with just a coat hanger. the wedges are a good idea to try and see whats going on. i'll consider a locksmith too...i hadn't had too much of a problem crawling in through the drivers side door for awhile- annoying but do-able, i'm a pretty small-ish guy, but the car is now grounded in my little garage w/ a stubborn starter issue (whole other story right) and very little clearance for the driver door to open. it can be pushed out of the garage, but...ugh...nothing's easy...thanks again
bjorn- there's almost zero space to spray wd-40 into... neill- the button is stuck firmly and completely IN. doesnt even wiggle. any other suggestions given the mechanics of the handle & lock? thanks to both for your interest....
bjorn- there's almost zero space to spray wd-40 into... neill- the button is stuck firmly and completely IN. doesnt even wiggle. any other suggestions given the mechanics of the handle & lock? thanks to both for your interest....
I know , but it will 'creep'.....I had a different problem with mine a few yrs ago...button didnt seem to reach, and couldnt open ,but eventually manged to bend the piece the button hits, to make it work again...40 plus yrs of thumbs on that button made the piece it hit bend away....but was confusing for awhile , while trying to figure it all out, but with a vert and top down ,no problem getting in and out at least!
bjorn- will do then, can't hurt. getting snowed in in vermont right now and dont think i'll be getting home to SF tomorrow as planned, so i might not get to the car for a few days..
seventh, You might try banging on the outside of the handle with the handle end of a screw driver or piece of wood to pop the button loose. I've never done it before but I bet if you had to pull the driver seat out(4 bolts( you could figure a way to remove the door panel even with the door closed. Std or deluxe interior?
firebob- it's a standard interior i believe. i tried tapping the button w/ a rubber mallet but will try the handle itself as you suggested. will also give the door panel another look... i see your bay area jacket, where are you at? i live in el cerrito and own my business in SF...
Well we are close neighbors then. I live about 5 minutes north of you off of the Hilltop exit in El Sobrante. My email is bobman58ya@yahoo.com. You need to get hooked up with our bay area group.
Sounds like you have yourself a nice little winter project and challenge. Taking the door panel off without being able to open the door. Going to take some time and patience.
Unfortunately you're going to need to see what's going on with the back side or inside of that knob/handle.
dam1960- i have a 68. thanks for providing the manual,i have yet to pore over it. i wont get in my garage for at least a week, and will then try all of the above tips. thanks again to everyone, i'll keep you posted.
Had this happen on my 68 a few weeks ago. I used a wide putty knife to hold the felt back and a long screw driver to push the rod that is connected to the button back out.
I had it happen when I was building mine and adjusting the doors. Unadjusted the pawl was too tight against the post and would not retract. You best try adjusting the door as I bet that's the issue.
I recall (after a new paint job) gingerly trying to get a tool in there to snap it back....I needed a few beers after that one!
