General 500 cannot open either door from inside

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General 500 cannot open either door from inside

eng622

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With the winter wet looks as if new problem as can no longer open doors from inside. Started with passenger one and then the driver one. Taken the door card off the passenger one and the rod from the handle to the catch does move back and forth. Doors will open from the outside. What can I try next?
 
Sounds like something just sticking in the door locks, possibly a little corrosion has set in.

With the doors open and door cards removed, you could try spraying some penetrating oil spray (various brands available) or WD40 in the direction of the door lock inside the door. Also spray some around the part of the lock on the rear edge of the door that engages with the striker plate on the 'B' pillar. There might be an access hole or 2 on the door that can sprayed through to better reach the lock mechanism.

Al.
 
Lubrication not the problem. If I give the rod a hard pull the door releases but the handle (plastic one, so weak) is not strong enough to do that plus there is not enough travel of the rod. The problem appears that the rod is too long but it cannot be so. I looked at how the mechanism works. The rod at the door end pulls a pivoted lever the arm of which moves down and releases the catch. The arm has to travel so much to make the release which is beyond the capability of the rod/handle movement. So do not know how to solve, any ideas.
 
It's been several decades since I've worked on Fiat 500 doors, so I can only offer the following general things to check out.

Maybe the door release catch (the part behind the inner handle) has been incorrectly fitted into the door?

Are there any adjustment slots on it's mountings?

Is there a different hole on the operating lever that the lock release rod attaches to, that would give a longer travel?

Is the problem the same on both doors?

Were the doors stripped for any reason (restoration/re-painting etc)?

Were any parts changed?

Al.
 
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