driver's door will not lock
 

Hello Everyone,
Fairly new to the forum and working on a '65 C20 long bed that I have had for a couple of months. I have a problem and need a little direction.

I have an issue with the driver's door that the key will not turn and lock the door. I have sprayed a little lube into the lock itself and nothing. Has anyone run into this issue before and can help with direction to the area that I will need to look at? Wondering if it may be the door latch mechanism itself or the door handle.

Thanks for your help!

Re: driver's door will not lock
 

Pull the panel and check the linkage for the lock, see if you can manual engage it from the inside, probably just a worn part. Not terribly expensive to replace. IF you are forced to do so, get an older OEM replacement from one of the members.

Re: driver's door will not lock
 

perhaps that lock or the door itself has been changed along the way, so it's not the correct key....it would probably still go in, but not turn?

Re: driver's door will not lock
 

Mine is like this every once in a while. I have to jiggle it quite a bit to get it to work. But yea, it is possible that it is a different key.

Chris

Re: driver's door will not lock
 

Thanks for the responses, guys!
Currently the truck is getting a new clutch and brake work done.....
Once I get it back, I will take the door panel off and look at the internal linkage, etc. While things are apart I will check the key and try to see if it works the lock.
Hadn't thought about the lock being changed and I hope that isn't the case! : )

Thanks Again!!
Paul

Re: driver's door will not lock
 

If u find it's a wrong-key situation, it won't cost a fortune to have a locksmith make a key--or for a tad more, have lock re-keyed such that your orig. key will work it: one less key to keep up with, this way. For either--and esp. the 2nd option--L-smith would likely prefer to have the handle-with-lock along with desired key brought to and left with him: less bucks, too.:mm: Be sure to have a duplicate key made before leaving original with him! Good luck, & enjoy these challenges.
Sam

Re: driver's door will not lock
 

Also it is counter-intuitive, but most lubes make the tumblers in lock sets gum up, and actually make it worse. If you have this situation you can soak the lock assembly in alcohol, dry it out, then use a dry graphite lube.

Re: driver's door will not lock
 

We all go through lots of little problems as we build our trucks so initially I could not remember my problem with the drivers side lock on my GMC. Then it dawned on me, my drivers side door did not even have a keyed lock in it. The keyed handle was on the passenger side, so I swapped the tumblers and buttons so I could gain entry on the drivers side instead of the passenger side.
Never asked about it, was this just a PO's mistake or did trucks come this way ???