Why won't my driver's side door latch?

likearolingston · Post by **likearolingston** » 14 Dec 2011, 09:29

Hello all,

So no sooner did I fix my 1985 240 wagon's mysterious electrical problems, but a frustrating new mechanical problem has emerged! All of a sudden, the driver's door won't latch completely! The latch does close part-way. I can lock the car. But the latch has an intermediate position between latched and unlatched; the door latch seems to be stuck in this position. So the door is closed, but not tight... air comes in... the door sticks out.

Anyone ever had this problem? What to do?

Thanks!

Jay

Post by **billofdurham** » 14 Dec 2011, 12:25

The intermediate position is a safety position designed to stop the door flying open if it hasn't been closed properly. Yes, it did happen often on much older cars. Usually if the latch sticks in this position a good soaking with WD40 cures the problem. If that fails you need to head to the nearest car breaker's yard and get another.

Bill.

likearolingston · Post by **likearolingston** » 14 Dec 2011, 17:41

Thanks, Bill. I'll give it a try and report back.

likearolingston · Post by **likearolingston** » 17 Dec 2011, 11:45

To the litany of uses for WD40, add door latch fixer. Worked like a charm, Bill. Thanks again. How did you get so smart?

Post by **billofdurham** » 17 Dec 2011, 15:39

Glad it worked. I didn't get smart, I just experiment and file away for future use what did work.

Bill.