Technical Door Latching Mechanism Jammed

[Marmalain]

Hi

The passenger-side door lock for my Fiat Punto 2001 (Y-Reg) on the inside of the door is jammed, and the tooth won't go up inside the door and thus the door wont close.

The latching mechanism seems dirty and seized, I can get the tooth to go up partially by sticking a screw driver into the trough at the bottom which I imagine creates space for the back bit to slide forward, but then it gets stuck half-way.

It then bangs off the bolt on the inside of the car and doesnt shut.

What do you recommend doing?

I plan to take the door card off and give everything a good douse of WD-40 and cleaning it in general.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Marmalain]

I managed to fix it!

It turns out if the tooth gets jammed you need to press down on the lower ratchet with a screw driver whilst pulling the door handle open with the car unlocked using another screw driver to lift the tooth up, had to get my dad to help me.

And of course a lot of WD-40.

 

[varesecrazy]

glad you sussed it..

did you try locking/ unlocking with the key in THAT DOORS lock..AND with the central locking..??

I've had similar before and the C/L sorted it.. as you say it could've been stick with age + dirt,

Charlie