I have an issue with unlocking both the passenger and drivers' side door of my 86 camaro. The key turns the cylinder, but the door won't unlock. The doors do lock/unlock from the inside. So I looked down the window frame and to my surprise, saw that the cylinder rods were indeed moving when the key was turned. I have no idea why it won't unlock though. Is there perhaps a defect with the latch assembly?

I haven't been able to take off the entire door panel yet unfortunately, as I don't yet have a torx screw driver big enough to remove the armrest screws.

Also, a side question: are there any metal plates for sale anywhere, that would prevent the rods from being slim-jimmed?

Thanks.

 

Bump

 

You'll probably see the lock issue once you get the panels off.

As far a jimming - good luck. The 4th gen cars are made to be "jim-proof", and I've broke into 2 of them

 

Wouldn't matter. Since the top of the glass doesn't fit in a frame, al you have to do is pull out the top of glass tilted far enough, to reach a stick down in there & slide the lock/unlock lever on the door. Or even, push the lock/unlonk electric door lock button.

Our car doors weren't built with any kind of security. Locked doors only keep lazy people from geting in. Might as well leave the door unlocked, so that nothing is broken when the thief "breaks" in.

 

I had this same thing happen on my 1980 Bonneville. You say the lock is turning from the outside. When you get that torx, take the door panel off and see if the rod coming from the door lock cylinder is pushing on the locking mechicanism. The rod might just be bent, so take it out and straighten the rod alittle bit. Then see if it will lock and unlock.

That's my 2 cents.

I'm not sure about the slim jim part of your question. It might still work by the slim jim catching on the rod for the inside sliding lock.

 

I guess I win "Dumbass of the Year" award.

I took the door panel off, and then found out...I was turning the key the wrong way (why couldn't GM stick to just one way >)

 

Lol, I've noticed the same thing. Some GM locks turn different ways than others.