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Re: The inside of my car door latch got flipped and I...
Insert the tip of a screwdriver into the catch, there should be a small oval gap between the catch and its frame, lever it out then operate the handle and it should unlatch
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is latch moving shut --remove inside hatch panel use a screwdriver to close latch and check locking mechanism if stuck lube if broken replace known to get rusty
Did you look at door latch on door? In the old days sometimes, a piece for the door latch assembly would get turned down, when that happened, the door would bounce off the door stud on door frame. Sometimes you could take a screwdriver and flip that arm up, then the door will shut. The door stud on the door frame has to go into a slot on the door latch mechanism.
Granted, I can't see anything from here? I may be barking up the wrong tree? Just a thought.
I had a similar problem with a different make of car. It turned out that somehow I had inadvertantly tripped the door latch mechanism to the closed position in the door after I opened the door and before I tried to close it (to no avail.)
After I figured out the problem by comparing the latch mechanism for the other rear door, when it was open, with the problem door, it was easy to flip the mechanism which was in the closed position back to the open position so I could close the door.
sounds like the door latch mechanism is stuck in the closed position. if you pull on the door handle and use something like a screw driver and pull the latch claws open the door should work. the latch is the part that closes around the door striker plate bolt to keep the door closed. lube the latch to help keep it from sticking again.
Check the latch itself (on the door) is in the open position, ans didn't accidentally flip to the closed position. This has to be open so it can fit over the stud in the door jamb, where it flips over the stud to latch the door. If so, while holding door handle (as if you were trying to open/unlatch door), flip latch open, with a finger or a screwdriver.
It is possible the latch mechanism closed after opening the door. Get a flat blade screwdriver and stand outside your truck, looking at the door latch area. you should see a small flat arm that is making a closed loop in the area where the door striker goes. Stick the screwdriver inside the loop and gently pry outward on the loop as you pull the door handle. That loop is actually like a tongue that should flip inwards towards the truck as you pull the handle. There are a few different ways you could possibly flip the latch back, depending on the exact configuration of the latch assembly. Usually on my wife's van we have to put the screwdriver through the loop from the outside and rest the tip on the door. Then, as we pull the handle, we move the handle of the screwdriver toward the vehicle which flips the latch back down so the door striker post can go inside the latch. I hope this helps and please rate my solution - I'll wait a little while to see if it works for you - if not let me know right away and I'll try to help you figure this out. Thanks for using fixya!!!
So when you say 'it will not close' do you mean it won't stay latched or does it 'bang' as you attempt to close it and won't go into the opening all the way?
The reason i ask as it could simply be the 'claw' is stuck in the 'closed' position IF the door bangs and doesn't want to go all the way into the cab opening. IF that's the case then you can use a screwdriver and while holding the exterior button like you're trying to open the door and use the screwdriver to 'flip the claw' of the latch to the open position.
IF it closes into the opening but simply doesn't want to latch it MAY just need some lubrication. Spray it good with your favorite lube (WD40, etc) then work the 'claw' while activating the outside (or inside) button. If it still doesn't want to latch then chances are the spring inside of the latch mechanism is broken and the latch assembly will need to be replaced.
I know you have a '91, which SHOULD possibly be the same as the old '73-'87 regular pickup. IF it's the 'new' body style (1988-1998) then the videos aren't going to be of help at all.
These videos MAY help explain how things work and how the linkages clip onto the actual latch assembly;
Look on the very end ot the door you will see where the recieving latch is.This is where you spay.You need to make sure that the latch didn't fall into the closed position.You can look at the latches on the other doors to see what they look like in the open position.You can take a flat screwdriver to flip the latch back and forth while you hold the handle.
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