Door locks

[reichdav]

71 Burb. The doors (all 3) will lock when they're open, but not when they're closed. I have had the panels off and can't see anything obvious. Doesn't matter if the windows are up or down. Don't know if new latches and/or strike plates will make a difference.
Any suggestions will be appreciated.
57 3100
71 C10
71 GMC Suburban
98 GMC 1500

[ChopsawSurgeon]

Have you tried any lube on the lock prawl part of the latch? My third door lock is really sticky from not being used.

*Edit* Try to avoid using WD-40, it tends to gather dirt. You want to use something that doesn't collect dirt, or at the very least a penetrating oil.

[reichdav]

I think I recently used white grease on them, but not PB Blaster type stuff. I will try that. The pawls,the spur rowel looking part, seems to move ok. It's just weird that all 3 doors have the same problem. The PO removed the vents in front and put in electric windows and set up the doors for PDL. I thought that might be the issue, but the back door is OEM. Thanks for the tip.

[04sshd]

you're not talking about locking the door then closing it and not staying locked are you?

[reichdav]

No. I know better than that. If I push any of the 3 buttons down when that door is open, it goes down all the way and locks. The button does not go down fully when door is closed therefore not locking.Using the key on either front door will not lock them either when door is closed but will when it's open. My theory is something is binding when the door closes but I can't see or figure out what. And why in blazes is it happening to all of them? They worked, though not good,when I bought it about 18 months ago. I didn't do anything to any of the doors that I recall.

[ChopsawSurgeon]

You might be right on the binding part, only other thing i can think of is that the doors weren't adjusted properly after the window conversion. They could be adjusted where they are latched, but only just enough and the latch is in limbo between the two and not allowing the lock to slide.

[infinite-foamies]

Originally Posted by 04sshd

you're not talking about locking the door then closing it and not staying locked are you?

Why would that not work?

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by infinite-foamies

Why would that not work?

Because '67-'72 Chevy trucks will not do that. It was a feature so that you couldn't lock your keys in the truck. You have to lock them with the key, from the outside.....

LockDoc

[3757chevy]

Today I looked an echlin dlk11 lock set listed for our trucks and it turns both ways (right and left), as does the set I have at the house so.. if I take things apart I may as well put new cylinders in. I'll just have a different key for the doors than the lift gate and ignition. No big deal Sorry to steal your thread reichdav. thanks for the help!

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by 3757chevy

Today I looked an echlin dlk11 lock set listed for our trucks and it turns both ways (right and left), as does the set I have at the house so.. if I take things apart I may as well put new cylinders in. I'll just have a different key for the doors than the lift gate and ignition. No big deal Sorry to steal your thread reichdav. thanks for the help!

No problem. New might be the way to go.

LockDoc

[richard2717]

If there is a lot of pressure on the latch with the doors shut it will cause you not to be able to lock them. One of my old trucks I had to push up on the door handle to lift the door(while shut) and turn the key at the same time to get it to lock. My case was due to worn hinge pins.

[reichdav]

I have with the help of a friend adjusted the 3 doors as alignment was poor when I got it. The binding on the latches makes a lot of sense. The latches and strike plates appear to be OEM and who knows how much wear they've seen. I will try to make adjustments on them without screwing up the opening and closing. If that doesn't work, I might have to spring for new ones. Thanks.

[LockDoc]

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Mark around the strikers with a fine felt tip pen and move them out 1/16" at a time until the locks start working. Make sure they don't drop down any.....

LockDoc

[reichdav]

Will do. Thanks.

[3757chevy]

My 72 blazer won't lock from the outside with a key on the drivers side but will unlock. On the passenger side it locks from the outside but won't unlock with the key. So to lock it up I have to climb out the passenger side after I have locked the drivers form inside and lock passenger side from the outside. To get back in I have to use the key in the drivers side,any ideas?

[3757chevy]

i guess i put this question in the wrong spot . didn't notice I'm asking blazer stuff in the burb and panel section..oops! I've owned 6 c10's and never had door locks concerns

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by 3757chevy

i guess i put this question in the wrong spot . didn't notice I'm asking blazer stuff in the burb and panel section..oops! I've owned 6 c10's and never had door locks concerns

Doesn't really matter on that, the locks all work the same. The first thing I would do is to put the nozzle of the penetrating oil can (something with Teflon in it works best) into the lock cylinder key hole and give them a good spray, then slide the key in and out a few times to loosen up the tumblers in the lock then try turning them. If that doesn't help roll the window all the way down and with a good light you should be able to see the back of the door lock and the latch mechanism down inside the door. (at least on the pickups and Burbs you can) Spray all of that with the penetrating oil and lock & unlock it with the interior lock button, then try the key again.

Let me know if that works or not.

LockDoc

[3757chevy]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

Doesn't really matter on that, the locks all work the same. The first thing I would do is to put the nozzle of the penetrating oil can (something with Teflon in it works best) into the lock cylinder key hole and give them a good spray, then slide the key in and out a few times to loosen up the tumblers in the lock then try turning them. If that doesn't help roll the window all the way down and with a good light you should be able to see the back of the door lock and the latch mechanism down inside the door. (at least on the pickups and Burbs you can) Spray all of that with the penetrating oil and lock & unlock it with the interior lock button, then try the key again.

Let me know if that works or not.

LockDoc

We been short handed at work so I may have try all that on my next day to myself and the blazer , Thanks, I'll let you know how it goes.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by 3757chevy

We been short handed at work so I may have try all that on my next day to myself and the blazer , Thanks, I'll let you know how it goes.

Sounds good.

LockDoc

[theclockdoctor]

My passenger door was the same way. Just bought new latch assembly, now works super smooth. Worth the money. Also had Leon,"LockDoc" redo all the lock cylinders for me. Super fast service, all keys work butter smooth, and a great price.

[3757chevy]

My blazer just rolled over 95k miles and I have been trying to keep from changing to many oe parts to aftermarket It's only an inconvenience not broken. I have an extra set of locks if I had to. Thanks guys.

[455wagon]

None of mine will lock from the outside with a key unless I grab the handle and push the door inward. Its too tight on the weather stripping. It will just bind otherwise. None will unlock from the inside unless I grab the inside door handle and wiggle it a ton.......same deal I guess, too tight on the weather stripping. I plan on fixing it when I put in new weather stripping , but for now.......less water inside is a better deal.

[69chevytrucker]

the door latch is worn out nothing to do with the lock i went threw this last year with my truck there is a post about it on here somewhere. the little sprocket thing that is on the latch wears and puts negitive pressure on the lock that is why some can get the lock to work when they press on the door cause it take the pressure off the lock.

[3757chevy]

They're probably still building Rome also. I know I been building my 67 Stepside for 20 years this September!

[3757chevy]

I say building , I been driving it when I'm not working on some part of trying to improve it in some way or just keep it going.