Can't open passenger side door on my Backdraft

[ffr2602]

I have a Backdraft and the wife and I went for are first ride and now we can't open the passenger side door. It will not release when you push the handle down any tips would be very helpful thanks.

[Blas]

Ahhh...the debugging process begins....
There is always a period where adjustments must be made to a new car..
Try pushing "down" or "in" lightly on the door when attempting to operate the latch, most likely an adjustment is needed. When it opens, compare the movement to the drivers door to see if things are releasing properly.
Never lubricate the door strike platec with grease because you will just wipe it clean with the back of your pants getting in and out...
This too will pass....

[Ron61]

Blas has good suggestions but if they don't work you might try lifting up just a little also. Sometimes the doors or hinges will tend to sag just a little after the car has been driven the first time and yo may need to make a slight hinge adjustment. I had to do that on my car when it was new.

Ron

[trularin]

My driver's door sticks, but not enough that it can not be opened.

Can you see the striker?

Slight ( and I use this word followed by caution ) prying with a flat blade screwdriver may release the door lock.

BTW, on mine, if you lift the handle, it sort of locks and I have to push the handle down two times before it will release.

Two main things for this are: door striker too close to the lock and out of alignment.

[MOTORHEAD]

FF: BDR door latches are crap. They're modified commercial freezer latches ( or something equally unlikely). To make them fit, they grind off the tail of one of the rivets that holds the whole thing together. Sometimes that allows too much slop in the mechanism and the gear at the other end of the lever disengages from the latch. If all else fails, remove the hinge cover (one screw) and remove the 4 bolts holding the door. (have someone to help hold the door) and see if this doesn't give you better acess to the latch. I seem to remember releasing the latch by pushing down on a part of the linkage at the bottom of the latch.
Worst case scenairo: pull out the interior panel at the rear of the door too access the nut that holds the striker pin and remove it, and pull the door et al out so you can work with it on the bench. You should be able to remove the latch from the door at this point and determine the problem. If the car is in warranty,get a new one from BDR.

[flipscobra]

My latch on my cobra broke an the door would not open. I took the latch apart an found the tang that slides the latch back had broken off. Find somebody to heliarc the tab back on or buy a new one, that will fix it. I have done both sides on mine. Its easy to fix

[ffr2602]

No, it's the latch for sure. When you pull the handle down it will not release from the striker nob. Is there away to remove the chrome plate on the latch. I know the FFR has a screw on their latch plate.

[MOTORHEAD]

FFR: what is your serial #? Maybe the earlier ones have a different latch, but otherwise, as per my previous post, BDR latches are not like the ones normally found on most other cobras ( original and replica ) The cover plate is a piece of stainless glued to the latch. The latch mechanism under it is a riveted together unit that is not meant to be taken apart. If you can get a small screwdriver or bent scribe into the latch where the striker bolt enters the latch and work it around to force the catch jaw down, you may be able to jimmy it open. If not, remove door as per my previous post.

[ffr2602]

BDR753 is my car

[MOTORHEAD]

FFR: yeah, that's a late enough sn to have the latch that I described in my first post.
It's hard to describe what to do when one locks-up. I'll try to get to the shop tomorrow and figure out exactly how to do it, with some pics. I have repaired a couple of them, but it's been awhile, & I don't remember exactly what I did.

[ffr2602]

I would like to thank everyone for there input I fixed the door latch, one of the shims were cracked and it was not allowing the spring to move inside the latch. So I put a bigger washer inside the latch to tighten the slack up and now she works better then before. Thanks

[Cashburn]

Originally Posted by ffr2602

I would like to thank everyone for there input I fixed the door latch, one of the shims were cracked and it was not allowing the spring to move inside the latch. So I put a bigger washer inside the latch to tighten the slack up and now she works better then before. Thanks

Great news... several forums eagerly await your next debacle.

[ffr2602]

Hey Jay I'm glad you care so much!!!!