Door won't open

[HT413]

There is just one difference between both side doors and is the driver side opens from inside even with the lock on

True, but I think it would have been more than instructive enough to solve the problem.

 

[Nacho-RT74]

Yes, diff is in just one of the levers of the latch assembly

 

[Tori]

And here I was going to suggest you remove the passenger side door panel and carefully observe it working correctly and just compare the two.

I hate to say it, but cutting the door was not necessary. I'd have removed the door and taken it to a local mechanic.

Guys....guys....guys......... I assure you, i tried every imaginable option. I worked on this (off and on) for 2+ weeks. (so did the prior owner, for what thats worth) I DID look at the other side, i DID follow the recommendations that a few other members suggested about lifting the door, wiggling, pry bars, etc. NOTHING. As i stated in previous posts on page one, i could see the latch and its mechanisms were working. Everything was swinging and traveling to its full extent. I could operate the latch with both handles, and physically with a long piece of flat bar. NOTHING. I had another person helping me at times lift the door, wiggle it, all while i pried, and pulled and kept the latched actuated. Cutting open the door was the only option. I certainly wasn't going to take the fender off so i could unbolt the door for cripes sake. I assure you, i did not harm THIS car. The Ratty Satty is a mess.
... but hey, thanks for the support.

 

[HT413]

Haha, yeah i guess came off as a purist. Just seemed like a heck of a lot of work including the repair. I guess if literally all else fails... should be easy enough to weld the panel back in and grind it smooth.

 

[Tori]

Yep, it was a last resort. I work at a repair shop, and while not a mechanic by trade, i feel i have a pretty good understanding of whats what. It'll bend back into place and a few tack welds it'll be as good as it needs to be.

Cheers !

 

[Kevin Bisgrove]

I had the exact same issue on my passenger door.
Worked my *** off trying everything indicated here.
I'm the end I literally "beat the door" from the inside with a block of wood and a hammer after wedging the latch on the open position (and yes I could physically see the latch operated to the open position).
Once I got the door open it was obvious that the star latch on the door was seized. I used the hammer after to get the latch spinning freely with WD-40.
Never get the door just pop I literally had to force it out the entire way until it cleared the latch.
No way I was going to cut a hole in anything.
Once it was done I did get the latch to spin freely and even close the door and reopened it a few times with no issue.

 

[Jduv10007]

Here I am reading this in hope of support. I am currently in the situation where my 71 passenger will not open. Door panel is off and I am able to watch all mechanisms move. I have not been able to have anyone assist yet but I look forward to trying all things suggested here. I will report back to you all soon. Please add any additional suggestions if you have any.

 

[RussT Plymouths]

Some more ideas from a few months ago.

https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/stuck-door.218085/

 

[ODZKing]

Lock is either stuck or broken or the little lever on the latch is broken. Quite common on these as I have replaced them on every 71-74 I have owned and helped friends as well.
Will it open from the inside or outside or not both?

 

[JG71B]

This is happening right now with my 71 charger, passenger door sometimes won't open ended up being a small round spring that is broken, sometimes it will open with the handle sometimes it won't. I will take a picture of it if I can find it but, that was the cause of it, just happened out of the blue.
And holy post-resurrection!

 

[Jduv10007]

It will not open from outside or inside. Still working on trying to get it free. 40-60 mins here and there when I can get away. Fall is almost here so trying to get outside with the kids while I can.