Drivers side door will not close, possibly frozen

JERRYLABELL

MEMBER
2008 PONTIAC G6
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
115,000 MILES

It is zero degrees outside, and I managed to get my car door unlocked and opened using my key. I got in and tried to close the driver's door but the door won't latch on. Tried to put my key in the lock again and it won't insert. I even tried to warm the key up but no luck. The latch itself is not stuck so I'm not sure what is preventing the door from shutting properly.

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.

This is a tough one to explain, but I am going to try. Open the door and find the latch on the door (not the lock). There is an arm which should release when the door is in the closed position and you pull the handle. I have a feeling that was accidentally in the partially closed position before you tried to close the door due to temps. I'm thinking when you tried to close the door, it closed the rest of the way.

With the door open, hold the interior door handle in the open position. While doing that, see if you can move the lever on the door latch.

I found a picture of the latch assembly, Take a look at it. You will see a thin silver plate over the lever I am referring to. That lever is what attaches to the post on the door to hold it shut.

See if that is frozen or in the lock position and let me know what you find.

Joe

Image (Click to make bigger)