Door will not latch closed, bounces back

WAELAWADA

MEMBER
2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED
150,000 MILES

But, can jam it closed if I pull tight, use the remote lock, it is still loose but the lock acts like a "wall" to keep it from opening. Is this safe? Will the lock hold if I drive at higher speeds? Even if temporarily?

The latch is very loose, I put it in "open" position, ready to latch on, but it just doesn't latch on it bounces back.

4 Replies

JONNYB1963

MECHANIC
252 POSTS

Good morning,

First and foremost I have to say that driving a vehicle with an unlatched door is just not safe. It compromises the crash safety of the vehicle tremendously. So please try not to drive it around until its repaired.

That being said, Can I ask, does this door latch always behave like this or does it only do it when its cold?

The first thing I would try is spray some penetrating oil into the latch mechanism in the door. Once you give it a good soaking, then using a screwdriver, exercise the door latch by pushing the latch pawl in with the screwdriver, then unlatching by using the door handle. It make take several times to get it working again.

If it does not latch even with a screwdriver then I would recommend replacing the door latch assembly.

Regards
Jon

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Friday, November 22nd, 2019 AT 8:05 AM

WAELAWADA

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thanks Jonny! It usually does this in the cold (hasn't happened since last winter)! I used to spray it with WD-40, then do exactly what you said, and it would work. This morning I tried to do that, granted I was trying to get into the office and was in a hurry, but the latch wouldn't stay open. Perhaps it was because I was using a pen not a screwdriver. Do you think the spring is strong enough that I need a solid metal screwdriver and push down hard to get it "engaged"? I was worried about pushing too hard and breaking something.

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Friday, November 22nd, 2019 AT 8:10 AM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,643 POSTS

Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone of the latch so we can see what's going on? That would be great. You can upload it here with your response.

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Friday, November 22nd, 2019 AT 6:02 PM

JONNYB1963

MECHANIC
252 POSTS

Ah okay. We’ve had the same issue then. My Explorer did that very thing and I had to use a hairdryer to warm it up to make it latch. Eventually I removed the entire latch mechanism, cleaned it and lubricated it before reinstalling it.

A sturdy screwdriver will be what you want. You break it. Just use caution so you don’t scratch the paint.

Regards,
Jon

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Saturday, November 23rd, 2019 AT 10:19 AM