It is not uncommon for the door of a modern automobile to refuse to latch closed. In this article we will discuss how this can happen and ways to resolve the problem. Show
In addition to latching problems, we will also cover several other reasons why a car door might be reluctant to shut. Need help with a car problem RIGHT NOW? Click Here to chat online with a verified mechanic who will answer your questions. See Also: 13 Different Styles of Car Doors Table of Contents
How a Car Door Latch Mechanism WorksDoor latch designs have been developed over decades. Modern latch mechanisms function to keep the door secure to the adjacent jamb while driving and during an accident yet enable the door to be opened should a collision occur. This is accomplished by the use of either a jaw type latch or a rotating tooth latch. When the car door closes either of these latch types will firmly grip a headed striker pin or u-shaped striker bar on the door jamb. Whether your car has a jaw or rotating tooth type latch, for our discussion here we will simply use the term, jaw. When you open the car door by pulling on the door lever or handle, the latch mechanism releases the jaw and the door opens. The jaw is then held in the unlatched position by the latch mechanism. When the door closes the jaw hits the striker and is pushed back into the latched position. Related: 4 Reasons Your Car Window Won’t Go Up Caution #1 If your car door refuses to close and latch properly, repeatedly attempting to close it may damage the latching mechanism. This may make a relatively inexpensive corrective action far more costly. Caution #2 You may be tempted to hold the door closed with one hand and either drive the car home or to a repair facility. Never take on this risk. You may have your seat belt secure and feel safe, but you could lose hold of that door. And should it fly open, it could strike a passing car and cause a serious wreck. Reasons a Car Door Won’t Close All the WaySo your car door closes but won’t latch and can be pushed open. Or the door when closed just bounces open. #1 – Latch Jaw Stuck in Closed PositionExamine the latch of the door that won’t close. Now examine another door that opens and closes properly. On this door you will see what a fully open jaw looks like. If the offending door’s latch is not in the fully open position, the door will not latch closed. How to Fix
See Also: How to Fix a Seat Belt That Won’t Retract #2 – Jaw Won’t Stay in Latched PositionExamine the latch of the offending door. If the jaw is in any position other than fully open, there may be a latch mechanism problem. How to Fix
Read Also: 4 Reasons What is Getting Into Your Car #3 – Latch Jaw and Striker MisalignedA sagging door may be the result of a prior mild collision which in turn causes the latch jaw to not align with the striker on the jam. Alternatively, the hinge fasteners may have loosened allowing the door to move out of proper alignment. How to FixCorrective action will necessitate realignment of the door. This may be a difficult process for a DIY home mechanic. In most cases the car will need to be taken to a quality auto body shop for corrective action. #4 – Frozen Latch MechanismIn a modern car a frozen door latch is a rare occurrence. But it can happen. Note: A frozen latch is feasible only if the weather is extremely cold, i.e., well below freezing (32⁰ F) and accompanied by rain, freezing rain and/or snow. Such an event may occur in this fashion: Your car has been parked for a while outdoors during a storm. Rainfall accompanied by plummeting temperatures has frozen up your windshield and windows. You open the door to grab your scraper and the door will not close. The latch mechanism has frozen such that the jaw will either not fully open or latch upon closing the door. How to FixThree possible solutions here:
See Also: Best Car Covers for Snow, Ice, and Hail #5 – Jaw Area CorrodedWith older vehicles (especially those stored outside for long periods of time), enough corrosion of the jaw area may prevent a car door from closing and latching. How to FixThe latch that is stuck due to severe corrosion may possibly be corrected by following steps (3) and (4) in the “Jaw Won’t Stay in Latched Position” section above which deal with lubricating the jaw. #6 – Latch Mechanism FailureA latch operational mechanism failure is very possible if none of the steps discussed above correct the problem. How to FixShould this be the case, repair or replacement of the latch mechanism by a qualified automotive technician will be required. How do you open a stuck car door latch?Just take some oil lubricant, like WD-40, and spread/spray it into the latch mechanism of your open door. Let the oil soak in for a little bit, then use a microfiber cloth to rub the oil into any visible parts of the latch.
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