Passenger Door Jammed Shut - Need Help - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

elbambino19 · 04-02-2018, 11:29 PM

The passenger door on my 15" Camaro SS stayed jammed shut after closing it one day. The door panel is off and the outside handle as well, I have tried pulling the lever down that is on the lock door actuator and the door still wont open. It does sound like it unlocks and locks with both push button and remote but door still wont budge. I know it may need a new door lock actuator, I just need ideas on how to get it open or fixed if possible without purchasing a new actuator. Also want to avoid any damages to the car if possible. Any help is appreciated thanks!

Rock-It Man · 04-03-2018, 07:05 AM

The door has to be open to access the screws that hold the actuator.

If the door latch rod is connected to the outside handle at one end and the actuator at the other, the door should open. Why did yo take off the handle?

elbambino19 · 04-03-2018, 01:16 PM

The handle and trim was removed to wrap the vehicle completely. Everything is connected how it should be. The door stays jammed still, I also understand the door needs to be opened to remove the torx screws but as stated above I can't since the door is jammed shut...

What I want to know is there a way to get it open I haven't tried yet? Do I have to break the actuator apart from the inside? and drill out the bolts? or any other easier way of doing this I hope?

Rock-It Man · 04-03-2018, 01:55 PM

Well, I'm not going to remove my handle or inside trim to test this, but again, if the latch rod is connected properly at both ends, the door should open.

There is an adjustment on the latch rod that you can check. On the actuator end, the rod is held by a retaining clip. Open the clip. Let the rod hang down, making sure the outside door handle is in the closed position and then close the clip again, clamping the threaded end of the rod.

It's also possible that this rod got bent and is binding up.

elbambino19 · 04-03-2018, 02:12 PM

I can physically see the inside of the door and actuator, I have tried removing the rod and just pulling down the lever and it just doesnt budge 🤷*♂️

Rock-It Man · 04-03-2018, 02:24 PM

Doesn't the lever go UP to open the door?

elbambino19 · 04-03-2018, 02:27 PM

No, it goes down on this one.

Rock-It Man · 04-03-2018, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elbambino19

No, it goes down on this one.

Since the handle end of the rod is a hook, I don't see how the rod would push down on the lever to open the latch. It would be like pushing on a rope.

So I suggest again that you open the clamp, let the rod hang free and then close the clamp. Then work the outside handle and see what happens.

elbambino19 · 04-03-2018, 02:47 PM

No, it pushes down. Look up the part on rockauto to see for yourself.
Dorman P# 931315

Rock-It Man · 04-03-2018, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elbambino19

No, it pushes down. Look up the part on rockauto to see for yourself.
Dorman P# 931315

I can't tell anything from that photo at rockauto. But the shop manual shows that the door handle end of the rod is a hook. Maybe the hook got jammed or the rod got bent.

The shop manual process for adjusting the rod is what I said: release the clamp, let the rod hand freely, close the clamp.

The rod should be free so that it can easily be unhooked from the door handle mechanism. If it's not, that could be part of your problem.

Rock-It Man · 04-04-2018, 08:28 AM

Did you figure it out?

Seems like there ought to be a way to unlatch the door manually without doing anything destructive.

04-02-2018, 11:29 PM	#1
elbambino19 Drives: 2015 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Central Coast California Posts: 5	Passenger Door Jammed Shut - Need Help The passenger door on my 15" Camaro SS stayed jammed shut after closing it one day. The door panel is off and the outside handle as well, I have tried pulling the lever down that is on the lock door actuator and the door still wont open. It does sound like it unlocks and locks with both push button and remote but door still wont budge. I know it may need a new door lock actuator, I just need ideas on how to get it open or fixed if possible without purchasing a new actuator. Also want to avoid any damages to the car if possible. Any help is appreciated thanks!

04-03-2018, 01:16 PM	#3
elbambino19 Drives: 2015 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Central Coast California Posts: 5	The handle and trim was removed to wrap the vehicle completely. Everything is connected how it should be. The door stays jammed still, I also understand the door needs to be opened to remove the torx screws but as stated above I can't since the door is jammed shut... What I want to know is there a way to get it open I haven't tried yet? Do I have to break the actuator apart from the inside? and drill out the bolts? or any other easier way of doing this I hope? Last edited by elbambino19; 04-03-2018 at 01:18 PM. Reason: left out info

04-03-2018, 07:05 AM	#2
Rock-It Man 376 cubic inches of fun Drives: 2023 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MA Posts: 4,043 View My Garage	The door has to be open to access the screws that hold the actuator. If the door latch rod is connected to the outside handle at one end and the actuator at the other, the door should open. Why did yo take off the handle?

04-03-2018, 01:55 PM	#4
Rock-It Man 376 cubic inches of fun Drives: 2023 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MA Posts: 4,043 View My Garage	Well, I'm not going to remove my handle or inside trim to test this, but again, if the latch rod is connected properly at both ends, the door should open. There is an adjustment on the latch rod that you can check. On the actuator end, the rod is held by a retaining clip. Open the clip. Let the rod hang down, making sure the outside door handle is in the closed position and then close the clip again, clamping the threaded end of the rod. It's also possible that this rod got bent and is binding up.

04-03-2018, 02:12 PM	#5
elbambino19 Drives: 2015 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Central Coast California Posts: 5	I can physically see the inside of the door and actuator, I have tried removing the rod and just pulling down the lever and it just doesnt budge 🤷*♂️

04-03-2018, 02:24 PM	#6
Rock-It Man 376 cubic inches of fun Drives: 2023 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MA Posts: 4,043 View My Garage	Doesn't the lever go UP to open the door?

04-03-2018, 02:27 PM	#7
elbambino19 Drives: 2015 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Central Coast California Posts: 5	No, it goes down on this one.

04-03-2018, 02:47 PM	#9
elbambino19 Drives: 2015 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Central Coast California Posts: 5	No, it pushes down. Look up the part on rockauto to see for yourself. Dorman P# 931315

04-04-2018, 08:28 AM	#11
Rock-It Man 376 cubic inches of fun Drives: 2023 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MA Posts: 4,043 View My Garage	Did you figure it out? Seems like there ought to be a way to unlatch the door manually without doing anything destructive.