doors won't lock?

[Jason71k10]

When I try to lock my doors by pushing the knob down, as soon as i shut the door, the knob pops up and the door won't lock. I've tried using the key once the door is shut, but I can't turn the key! It's been like this for as long as i've owned the truck, but I plan on putting it back on the road in the spring, and i'd like to be able to lock the truck up. Any ideas how to fix this?? thanks

Jason

[purple gas]

older trucks like ours you need to use a key to lock it. Are you sure the key is the right one for your door? Try lubricating the mechanisms. Mine was really sticky but after I cleaned up the parts inside the door and put some lubricant on them they're much better. If you don't have the right key yo can buy new barrels ( or whatever they're called) they have a spring clip inside the door skin to hold them on. The part you put the key in is a fairly unversal part. I'm using ones I got off a 77 van ( donor vehichle I scavenged MANY parts from). Good luck

[joelboxt]

is there any kinda mod that you can do to make them stay locked when you just go and shut the door. ive always hated that kinda setup.. its kinda stupid like the import cars.. you need to hold up the handle when you shut it or it unlocks. but this you need the key to lock it.

[Jason71k10]

I know the key fits, cuz it works the locks fine when the door is opened....it's when the door is closed that i have the trouble

[shifty]

Originally Posted by Jason71k10

When I try to lock my doors by pushing the knob down, as soon as i shut the door, the knob pops up and the door won't lock. I've tried using the key once the door is shut, but I can't turn the key! It's been like this for as long as i've owned the truck, but I plan on putting it back on the road in the spring, and i'd like to be able to lock the truck up. Any ideas how to fix this?? thanks

Jason

I have the same problem on my truck. I hafta lock everything using the key - I usually manually lock the passenger door and use the key on the passenger's door.

Have any interest in installing power door locks?

[Longhorn Man]

Try pushing on the door, or pulling on the door as you try to lock it. My old GMC was like that. All this means is the door isn't hung right, or maybe new weather stripping.

[71meangreenc10]

Jason,
If im reading your post right then the answer is, There is nothing wrong with your doors, they are designed to lock either with the key from the outside or the knob from the inside.....you cant push the knob down and close the door, it will unlock.The owners manual calls it "Overriding Door Locks" Too bad they didnt keep this standard then we would never worry about locking up our keys.....

Smitty

[Longhorn Man]

he said his key won't turn once the door is closed.

[71meangreenc10]

Oops, Selective Reading Again,,,,,,,,,,,,

[joelboxt]

is there anyway to get rid of the "Overriding Door Locks" and just lock it from the push button and close the door?

[70c10]

You need a new latch. I recently went thru this.

[Longhorn Man]

or adjusting the door/latch.

[68C15]

is it possible to retrofit 73-87 latches & striker to our relics? this woulg eliminate the annoyance

[Longhorn Man]

highly doubt it. the 73 - 87 latch mechanisims were inside the door, ours are external.

[Hook'em]

Fiddle with the latching mechanism. Every once and a while I can't lock mine with the key. It seems like the locking mechanism gets tweeked a little. There was a thread on the issue I am describing, but it was several months ago.

As you can tell, I don't have all of the technical jargon down. Most I my fixes deal with fiddling, jiggling, or rebooting.

[smokekiki]

Originally Posted by joelboxt

is there anyway to get rid of the "Overriding Door Locks" and just lock it from the push button and close the door?

How annoying can it be to take the key that You already have in You hand,close the door,stick it in the lock,and give it a turn?Beats locking the keys in the truck!If it is that bad,put electric locks on.And I'm not picking on You.If all cars/trucks should have been built where You can't lock Your Keys in.

[724wdcopper]

after adjusting my drivers door to close right, it wouldnt lock without pushing on the door. i have just gotten used to using my knee to apply pressure while turning the key. each truck has it's own little quirks. you just gotta find what works for yours.

[Jason71k10]

thanks guys. I'll guess i'll have to do some adjusting. I've never really taken any time to fix it because when i was driving it, it was tu-tone primer with rust accents( looks like a POS in other words), but I plan on doing some body work and painting it this spring, so I don't want anybody to get any ideas!!

[joelboxt]

i could care less if i lock my keys in.. i always keep a spare in my wallet.

joel

[COBALT]

Here's how the lock cylinder (that takes the key) works with the latch mechanism. Behind the lock cylinder that's held in the door with a spring clip there's a 90 degree arm off of the back of the cylinder that engages a "C" shaped bracket on the latch assembly. That rotates up and down catching a lever on the door latch that will push the lock rod up, move the metal tongue away from the little "star" wheel that works with the door striker and prevents it from turning and prevents the lever engaged by the door handle from depressing. Moving that "C" braket allows you to push the button on the door handle and open the door.

These latches rot out - meaning the star gear wears out, and the metal stop won't engage it any more, which means your key will either hang up, or won't be able to stop the door handle button from opening the door. I had to replace both of mine when I got my truck because they wouldn't lock - even with the key. I had to drill out all three big flat headed phillips screws out of the door to get them out. In this case no amount of WD40 will make a damn bit of difference. Time to get new latches. I got mine from Brothers about a week after I had the truck because I wanted to at least slow down the car thieves before they drove my truck away.

Another thing is if the lock cylinder is shot. These sare SUPER easy to replace, and you can have them keyed to your existing key if you want...or shoot them full of graphite lube and see if you can get them to loosen up.

If the bracket on the back of the lock is broke you'll have to get new ones. The rod that holds the lock knob at the top of the door is held in place by one of those metal clips that go around the rod. With some 1/8" steel stock you can make a new rod, and those clips you can buy off the shelf.

The screws that hold the door panel in place are a bit harder to replace if you have metal panels. Last time I checked I had a hard time finding them, but the big flat headed screws that hold the latch assembly to the door should come with the new assemblies.

Your striker plate probably needs some adjusting too. I had to take my passenger door off the hinge, and fab a plate to go behind it because the striker plate couldn't be adjusted any more. You can slip shims in behind the striker and move it back and forth to get the right adjustment. If the striker is putting too much pressure on the latch assembly that could prevent you from locking your door too. You shouldn't have to SLAM the door to get it to close.

[Jason71k10]

I'm pretty sure that the latches are okay, cuz I believe the doors locked when I bought the truck, but i've had the doors off since then, and they probably need some tweaking. Also, the doors do require a bit of a slam to shut tightly....another reason that I think some adjusting should help

[purple gas]

when I resurected my truck after 12 yrs of sitting the key wouldn't unlock it either, the button wouldn't even push down. I wiggled & jiggled all the parts while using a toothbrush and whole can of WD-40 to flush the crud-rust-sand-cobwebs-etc.out of every connection/hinge/moving part in the entire system. Once things were moving ok, I srayed on some type of clingy lubricant stuff. made a huge differnce. works almost good as new now.