'94 850 Driver's Door Won't Latch

esachs · Post by **esachs** » 10 Jan 2019, 21:10

Hello everyone,

We are having a cold snap here. When I went to open the drivers door, it was partially frozen and I yanked a little bit to get it open, but not with too much power. Immediately after opening, the door would not latch shut. I noticed on the other doors that the mechanism clicks when pressed up with my finger and releases with the door handle, but non of those mechanisms are functioning on the drivers door. I sprayed de-icer and pb blaster and wd-40 everywhere i could to no avail. I'm hoping it's just a temperature thing, but fear it could be something broken. I have two questions for you kind and knowledgable folks:

1) Is there a trick to getting the mechanism to latch again?

2) if not, where can I get a replacement latch assembly, given that there is not a scrap yard near me? I've been unsuccessful searching online so far.

thank you so much

-evan

WhatAmIDoing · Post by **WhatAmIDoing** » 10 Jan 2019, 22:44

This happens to be in the cold. Gently shove the door closed while pulling the handle out, and then lock it. It should stay closed once locked. I sprayed some silicone lube and greased the locking mechanism and door latch. Seemed to help when it gets cold. I think the door latch just gets stiff when its really cold and doesn't want to open or catch when closed.

esachs · Post by **esachs** » 12 Jan 2019, 12:40

the pulling of the handle while closing the door didn't work for me. I ended up driving the 40 minutes to work with the door tied shut and the heat blasting. But with that heat and the wd-40, somehow it loosened up and the door mechanism began to engage again by the time I arrived. VERY glad to have an operable door again.

WhatAmIDoing · Post by **WhatAmIDoing** » 12 Jan 2019, 13:22

May have just had ice in the mechanism, and the heat melted it. Spray some silicone into the mechanism and hopefully that will keep water out.