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Broken door latch

Tiny
MIKECLEMONS
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 HYUNDAI AZERA
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
So I read your article about fixing a door that will not close. In the article the latch is closed so the fix is to use a screwdriver to open the latch. I have had this problem which is an easy fix. But, what do you do when the latch is open and the door will not close because the latch will not stay closed? I used a screwdriver to close the latch and it just opens right back up without any resistance. I tried locking the door while holding the latch closed and still it opened. Please help.
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Wednesday, February 1st, 2017 AT 12:01 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Lube door latch with wd40 or similar lube. If it continues to do this then the latch may be broken.
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Wednesday, February 1st, 2017 AT 12:04 PM
Tiny
MIKECLEMONS
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I have done this was hoping that it is possibly frozen, but I doubt that since the latch moves freely with no resistance. I guess I should add it has electric locks. Now I have never tried to remove these door panels does anyone know how hard it is to change the latch on this car?
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Wednesday, February 1st, 2017 AT 12:14 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,556 POSTS
Sounds like the latch trip spring has broken.

Not that hard. Remove the upper trim, remove the screws, disconnect the wiring and pull to disengage the clips. Screw and clip locations in the pictures. Remove the vapor barrier by gently pulling on it and using a razor to cut the sealant.

Release the clips on the rods to the latch and pull the rods loose. Unbolt the latch, reverse to reinstall.

I have repaired latches broken this way by stripping them down, cleaning and replacing the broken spring(s). Not as easy as it sounds but it works.
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Wednesday, February 1st, 2017 AT 12:55 PM
Tiny
MIKECLEMONS
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
So one last issue I was calling around to find the replacement part and there seemed to be some confusion as to what the name of the part is specifically. Am I right in calling it a door latch. I had told everyone I spoke with I was looking for a passenger side rear door latch.
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Sunday, February 5th, 2017 AT 11:46 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,556 POSTS
Yes. It would be the right side rear door latch assembly.
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Sunday, February 5th, 2017 AT 6:15 PM
Tiny
MIKECLEMONS
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I asked because the closest I could find in that area is a door lock actuator looks like it has the latch on the end of two cables but can't really tell
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Sunday, February 5th, 2017 AT 8:14 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,556 POSTS
The part that is broken is the actual latch. The actuator is part of it so they may sell the replacement as the actuator as that may be the most common failure part. (Yep, just looked and they sell the complete latch as an actuator) Just be sure to get the one you need. Looks like there is a build date item in the notes.
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Monday, February 6th, 2017 AT 4:38 AM
Tiny
MIKECLEMONS
  • MEMBER
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Steve you have been very helpful. I took the door panel off. Once I got the panel off there is a metal plate with like 8 or 10 bolts. After removing those bolts the metal panel still will not come off. I Googled the process and they said there was a rubber plug where you had to take a Phillips head screw out of the rail where the window mounts. I took out the screw but couldn't lift the window out of the track. The site said to stick a screwdriver in the hole where the Phillips group came out right away from the window while also lifting on the window. I got pretty scared that I was going to break something. Anyway I still haven't gotten it apart. Do you know if a Haynes manual would go through this procedure
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Friday, February 10th, 2017 AT 11:18 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Pictured is the door latch actuator made by dorman which is whole assembly it's around $90 from rock auto. Com. See pics for 3 screws to remove actuator door has to be open for access.
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Friday, February 10th, 2017 AT 12:22 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,556 POSTS
You have the correct info. You remove the plastic door panel. Then the inner module comes off with a bit of "fiddling" to release the positioning tabs. Then you remove the glass (1 screw secures the glass to the regulator, access is in the middle of the module. To get to the outer handle to disengage it. Then unbolt the latch from the door and pull the entire panel out with the window regulator and latch all attached. Sort of like some of the Fords with the integrated units. Then you can replace the actual part. Then reverse the process to put it back.
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Friday, February 10th, 2017 AT 2:07 PM

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