Door latch does not latch

If you close it and it just does not latch the most likely cause is a failure inside the latch. There is a spring inside that pushes a pawl in place that catches on the back of the rotating part of the latch. That spring either fails and the rotating part of the latch does not latch, or dirt and rust build up on the sides of the locking pawl and it cannot move. The best repair is a new latch. It involves taking off the door panel, removing the vapor barrier, removing the outer door handle, and then replacing the latch. below you can see images of the latch and its location.

Oh if you go looking for parts GM calls the entire unit the door lock actuator.

Neither interior nor exterior rear door handle will unlatch the driver's side door. The handles move through their full range of motion but do not engage the latch mechanism to open the door. It happened after rear occupant tried to open the door while driver was trying to unlock the latch. The lock/unlock solenoid still seems to be working. The handles will just not operate the latch. What has happened.
I have managed to remove door panel inside, and examined the latch operation as best one can. Can the door be removed if the hinges are unbolted? How can one get it open to work on it?

There is no real service procedure for this type of fault. The fact that you have the panel off is a good step ahead. Trace the linkage rod from the inside door handle to the latch, and see what it actuates, and can it be manually actuated. Also do the same for the lock rod, has any of them come disengaged. If you can determine how it operates, you may be able to come up with a solution to get it open. If you unbolted the hinges, you would still have the door latch attached. Getting the door correctly adjusted after loosening the hinges, would almost take a body shop. Is the door still closed tight, or has it become slightly ajar? If it is slightly ajar, and everything appears to be attached, push on it to try and close it fully and try the cycle again.

Door opens and closes but won't latch

it could be the latch inside the door.or the striker.with the door open try locking and unlocking the door either by key,button or the remote ,while watching the door latch in the door jamb for movement.let us know what happens.

ThaNo you for replying, the latch works it just won't latch to keep the door closed

The latch works but it won't latch when the door closes

your welcome,is the striker bent.( the part the the latch hooks onto)

Interior problem
2001 Chevy Impala 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic
----------------------------------------------------------------
Do you know where I could order a door latch for my car? The door decided today not to stay shut. I just dumped all new struts and mounts, then an allignment. So of course the car doesn't know what to do with itself. Thanks Samantha

Your local Chevy dealer will be able to help
also you can check your local used auto part supplier

remote won't open or lock doors, until you put the key in the door and unlock it with the keys first

check the inside of the remote where the battery goes,the tab that holds the battery sometimes breaks,if the remote is fine replace the remote control door lock reciever and antenna,very common on these vehicles.

In warm weather, door lock electronics is tripping on its own, it randomly trips every few minutes up to every few seconds. Is it a relay or computer component? THANKS!

I suggest first having charging system tested to ensure battery and alternator are in good condition. If OK here, inspect wiring of power door locks. If the wiring is damaged anywhere it will cause the circuit to short out which allows the locks to work on there own at undetermined intervals and times.







Thanks for using 2CarPros.com!

My door locks keep unlocking until the battery dies on my 2001 Chevy Impala. Any idea how to stop this?

I would start off by disconnecting the lock switch on the driver's side and see if the problem goes away. The try the passenger side of the driver's one doesn't fix.

2001 Chevy Impala

My passenger side door won't unlock, and I can not open the door. Is breaking the panel the only option to fix this problem. Can't open with remote or key, all other doors operate fine.

Hello i have run in to this problem before and the only way to get the door open is to remove the bottom part of thr back seat that will give you more access to the door panel and then you can start taking the panel off to get to the rods in the door to be able to open it. I hope this will be of some kind of help to you.