Car lock having trouble unlocking

cometkid510 · 2011-12-10, 16:55

Ok so here's the problem if anybody can help.

When i shut the driver door, and lock the door from the outside, its locked i cant get in. Fine right? Well when i try to get back in, I insert the key, turn normally, and attempt to unlock it. But nothing happens, i can hear the mechanism moving inside, but its not unlocking. I've had to unlock the passenger side door crawl through the car. Smack the lock thing chillin by the door on the inside of the car by the window (i do that because i still cant open it from the inside either) and go all the way around and try again. Im tired of this happening. PLEASE HELP!

**Craig Selvey** · 2011-12-10, 17:04

Sounds like a broken door latch mechanism....or a missing spring from said mechanism.

**darren** · 2011-12-10, 17:06

Instead of goin all the way around why dont you wind the window down and play with it? Not being a wise guy just tryin to help.
Get the door panel off and have a look at the cylinder and link. Sounds like something has a lot of play in it.

Moneymaker 1 · 2011-12-10, 19:31

I kinda know what you are saying, try to turn the key rapidly back and forth...I believe it will unlock then, if I shut my door and lock it, then push the button to try and get in (keep in mind it's locked) my key won't unlock it afterwards, I have to kind of jiggle it with the key and then it will unlock, this is on the driver side only, I plan on looking at it when I replace door panels.

**maverick1970** · 2011-12-10, 19:34

Are you sure the handle button is popping all the way out when your having problems?

cometkid510 · 2012-01-23, 21:09

yeah its all the way out. I have to jiggle it a lot to get it open, and it still sometimes wont open

**CaptainComet** · 2012-01-24, 10:26

Sounds like it might be more complicated than this, but basics first ...

Have you lubed the parts lately?

I have been using DuPont Dry Teflon spray ... works very well on lock cylinders, and it may free something up. I would shoot them and the latch mechanism and see if it helps.

You'll probably need to look deeper by the sounds of it, but try it first, OK?

cometkid510 · 2012-01-26, 10:38

sounds good, ill give it a try.

19Grabber72 · 2012-01-26, 21:42

So, do you get it open at all after you crawl through and do your "thing?" And did the lube help out yet? If you can't get it open at all you will have to take the door panels off etc. If this is the case once you get in ck out the shaft that goes up to the lock and the one that is up to the push button that opens the door. There is, on both of these shafts, a clip that grabs the shaft. If one of these has worked off, broken etc then thats your issue. If it has just worked off then you will need to adjust the shaft and reclip. You rotate or spin the shaft to adjust it up or down as needed. Test the button push by looking from inside the door. There has to be the right amount of slack vs tightness to make this work correctly. Otherwise you have something going on with the rest of the lock system--broken retaining springs etc. Good luck and keep us posted. I think it helps us all trouble shoot things from "the far side" of things! lol

**franktf** · 2012-01-27, 05:07

I had the same problem with the 72 I bought, there is a spring on the lock part of the latch that was broken..... I could open and shut the door fine until I locked it, then it would jam..... The first time it happened I just went in through the pass side and opened it, but the second time I ended up have to take the door panel off from the inside(no fun at all)..... There was a place on it I was able to attach a small spring and make it work properly.....

2011-12-10, 16:55	#1
cometkid510 Member Join Date: 2011-11-14 Location: michigan Posts: 84 Vehicle(s): 1973 Mercury Comet GT iTrader: 0 (0%) Images: 9	Car lock having trouble unlocking Ok so here's the problem if anybody can help. When i shut the driver door, and lock the door from the outside, its locked i cant get in. Fine right? Well when i try to get back in, I insert the key, turn normally, and attempt to unlock it. But nothing happens, i can hear the mechanism moving inside, but its not unlocking. I've had to unlock the passenger side door crawl through the car. Smack the lock thing chillin by the door on the inside of the car by the window (i do that because i still cant open it from the inside either) and go all the way around and try again. Im tired of this happening. PLEASE HELP!

2011-12-10, 17:04	#2
Craig Selvey Indiana State Rep - MCCI Join Date: 2002-03-09 Location: Albany, Indiana Posts: 12,654 Vehicle(s): 1972 Maverick Grabber - Color: Orange Also, 1976 Ford Maverick 4-door, 1976 Ford LTD Station Wagon - Grabber Blue with Orange flames. Daily driver: 2005 Ford Focus SE Station Wagon iTrader: 198 (100%) Images: 431	Sounds like a broken door latch mechanism....or a missing spring from said mechanism. __________________ Craig's Maverick Corral: http://www.maverickcorral.com To email me DIRECTLY, do NOT click on my name to the left and choose an option, instead, email me DIRECTLY at:

2011-12-10, 17:06	#3
darren Senior Member Join Date: 2009-01-05 Location: Hamilton,Canada Posts: 4,749 Vehicle(s): 72 302 Maverick iTrader: 13 (100%) Images: 12	Instead of goin all the way around why dont you wind the window down and play with it? Not being a wise guy just tryin to help. Get the door panel off and have a look at the cylinder and link. Sounds like something has a lot of play in it. __________________ Rebuilt HO short block.Forged pistons. Fly cut. X303 cam. 9.5:1 E7 heads. Mild port work. Motorsport 1.6 Roller rockers. Motorsport dual plane. 600 Holley. 750 bowls and metering blocks. C4. Extra clutches. Shift kit. Trans kool pan. 3500 custom 10 inch converter? 4:11 Detroit locker. A bit dated but still fun. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaZZJ369rpA Project

2011-12-10, 19:31	#4
Moneymaker 1 Green Street Beasts Join Date: 2009-10-21 Location: Panama City Florida Posts: 1,880 Vehicle(s): 1972 Green Maverick Grabber Street Beasts iTrader: 11 (100%) Images: 3	I kinda know what you are saying, try to turn the key rapidly back and forth...I believe it will unlock then, if I shut my door and lock it, then push the button to try and get in (keep in mind it's locked) my key won't unlock it afterwards, I have to kind of jiggle it with the key and then it will unlock, this is on the driver side only, I plan on looking at it when I replace door panels. __________________ Don't touch the trim!! Green Grabber...2010 Hot Wheels special edition K-Mart exclusive Street Beasts Maverick.

2012-01-24, 10:26	#7
CaptainComet Senior Member Join Date: 2007-03-18 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 3,317 Vehicle(s): 72 Comet iTrader: 29 (100%) Images: 186	Sounds like it might be more complicated than this, but basics first ... Have you lubed the parts lately? I have been using DuPont Dry Teflon spray ... works very well on lock cylinders, and it may free something up. I would shoot them and the latch mechanism and see if it helps. You'll probably need to look deeper by the sounds of it, but try it first, OK? __________________ Awaiting its third life .................... Just a Memory.......... A fool and his money are soon partying. Jeff

2011-12-10, 19:34	#5
maverick1970 Senior Member Join Date: 2003-09-09 Location: Missouri Posts: 7,129 Vehicle(s): 69 1/2, 70 Maverick and 71 Grabber iTrader: 30 (100%) Images: 62	Are you sure the handle button is popping all the way out when your having problems?

2012-01-23, 21:09	#6
cometkid510 Member Join Date: 2011-11-14 Location: michigan Posts: 84 Vehicle(s): 1973 Mercury Comet GT iTrader: 0 (0%) Images: 9	yeah its all the way out. I have to jiggle it a lot to get it open, and it still sometimes wont open

2012-01-26, 10:38	#8
cometkid510 Member Join Date: 2011-11-14 Location: michigan Posts: 84 Vehicle(s): 1973 Mercury Comet GT iTrader: 0 (0%) Images: 9	sounds good, ill give it a try.

2012-01-26, 21:42	#9
19Grabber72 Member Join Date: 2008-11-19 Location: Cedar Falls, Iowa Posts: 440 Vehicle(s): 1972 Maverick 2 Door Sport Sedan Grabber iTrader: 0 (0%) Images: 22	So, do you get it open at all after you crawl through and do your "thing?" And did the lube help out yet? If you can't get it open at all you will have to take the door panels off etc. If this is the case once you get in ck out the shaft that goes up to the lock and the one that is up to the push button that opens the door. There is, on both of these shafts, a clip that grabs the shaft. If one of these has worked off, broken etc then thats your issue. If it has just worked off then you will need to adjust the shaft and reclip. You rotate or spin the shaft to adjust it up or down as needed. Test the button push by looking from inside the door. There has to be the right amount of slack vs tightness to make this work correctly. Otherwise you have something going on with the rest of the lock system--broken retaining springs etc. Good luck and keep us posted. I think it helps us all trouble shoot things from "the far side" of things! lol __________________

2012-01-27, 05:07	#10
franktf Senior Member Join Date: 2009-11-12 Location: Pinellas Park, FL Posts: 2,367 Vehicle(s): 72 Mercury Comet iTrader: 27 (100%)	I had the same problem with the 72 I bought, there is a spring on the lock part of the latch that was broken..... I could open and shut the door fine until I locked it, then it would jam..... The first time it happened I just went in through the pass side and opened it, but the second time I ended up have to take the door panel off from the inside(no fun at all)..... There was a place on it I was able to attach a small spring and make it work properly.....

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