The driver door latch will not open from inside or outside handle?

SMALLBLOCK350

MEMBER
2009 CADILLAC CTS
170,000 MILES

I managed to get the door panel off and tried releasing the latch manually but didn’t get anywhere. I don’t know how I would go about opening the door. I feel like Uber tried everything. I have the new actuator, so I just need to get the door open.

Sunday, October 23rd, 2022 AT 1:39 PM

3 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
54,137 POSTS

This happens when the latch lock control rod falls off the door latch. You must move the lock control arm on the latch. You can see the lock rod in the images below #2 try to follow it down to the latch to discover the lock arm for the latch. Check out the images (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

Images (Click to make bigger)

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Monday, October 24th, 2022 AT 9:31 AM

SMALLBLOCK350

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I’ve tried this. I have the new latch to base it off of. Everything moves freely except the latch itself, it will not unlatch. So, I have the door panel off and I’ve moved the lock control arm in both positions to make sure and still nothing.

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Wednesday, October 26th, 2022 AT 11:26 AM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
54,137 POSTS

That is unfortunate, can you work the latch open while pulling on the door? This will take some finesse. If the latch is truly broken, you will need to use a cut off wheel to start hacking at the latch until it falls apart. There is no other way. Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

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Thursday, October 27th, 2022 AT 10:14 AM