Door lock

[iowatom]

I've emailed two Avanti vendors but no response to my question about a driver's door lock fix.  The key turns but nothing is actuated...but I can lock the door from the driver seat.  I believe a pin has sheared off in the mechanism and nowadays especially, I'd like to be able to lock my car when I go places.  Passenger side works fine - for now.  

Has anyone else had this problem and is there a fix?  

Thanks much!

[1963r2]

I'm going off memory here but isn't there a small tab that needs to be depressed for the lock to work ?  Closing the door depresses the tab and allows the lock to be actuated.

It can wear after time of constant opening and closing.  I haven't got a lock infront of me but look around the mechanism for a small tab.

From memory it carves a groove in the latch/catch on the door pillar. Once the groove is too deep the tab doesn't get pushed in far enough and the lock won't work.

Clear as mud??

Pb

Edited May 5 by 1963r2

[BillyBob]

I've got the same issue...inconvenient to get into car now - will look for further posts on this.  Thanks.

[iowatom]

Well, I bought a pair of NOS lock mechanisms for my '63 and installed them today.  (The rods for opening and locking the door go into them.)

Made no difference.  Neither door will lock with the key.  Tells me the trouble is in the handle and likely with the gizmo that turns the lock.  Oh joy...

[brad]

The striker on the door gets worn so if you did not replace them, just putting on new latches won't do the trick. The handle does have a roll pin that engages the sliding cylinder that also rotates to lock the door by the key. The roll pin can shear and cause it not to rotate with the key.

[iowatom]

Brad - The roll pins are there and with the door open, I clearly see the cylinder turning.  The door strikers appear fine with just nominal wear.  

I'm totally at a loss.

[1963r2]

Have you tried adjusting the strikers?

[iowatom]

No, because the doors close as they should. No binding or mis-alignment.  Thanks, tho!

[iowatom]

Solved!! 

Thanks to a chat with Dan Booth from Nostalgic Motors.  My problem was under the hole in the striker, where it faces the lock mechanism as the door shuts.

There was a small groove worn into the chrome plated brass of the striker, where a corresponding tab on the mechanism comes into contact.  I've ordered two new strikers from Dan - but in the meantime, I drilled a tiny hole thru the striker in the exact spot of the groove and screwed a tiny screw into it.  My doors lock!

[brad]

Not to pic nits, but the very first reply to your problem had the answer. 

[iowatom]

Ha!  You're right!  That was the answer.  I didn't look close enough at the strikers.  That tab on the lock assembly takes quite a bit of effort to depress.  Over time, the weaker metal has to give.