Door will NOT Open (unlatch) 360 Spider | FerrariChat
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Door will NOT Open (unlatch) 360 Spider

Discussion in '360/430' started by MarcusCLT, Feb 20, 2011.

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  1. MarcusCLT

    MarcusCLT Karting

    Nov 22, 2010
    99
    Charlotte, NC
    Full Name:
    Steen
    #1 MarcusCLT, Feb 20, 2011
    Hi, I have a problem, have had several mechanics looking at it, no solution so far....The passenger door will not open. The lock is working, can unlock both and you hear the lock/unlocking is activated. The wires under arm rest all connected, not an issue.

    It appears the problem is the LATCH, which will NOT release resulting in door cant open (it suddenly happened on Valentines night, at least my date could not escape, ha)...

    The fact door is closed, impossible to remove Door panel, one suggestion has been to drill a hole in the door panel and then somehow try and unlatch, but I vetoed that idea....

    Again, locks working, all cables are connected...the latch will not unlatch, so door stocked..

    Any suggestions? THANKS a bunch.
     
  2. Red 27

    Red 27 Formula 3

    Feb 2, 2008
    1,002
    San Diego, Ca
    Full Name:
    Dave
    #2 Red 27, Feb 20, 2011
  3. MarcusCLT

    MarcusCLT Karting

    Nov 22, 2010
    99
    Charlotte, NC
    Full Name:
    Steen
    #3 MarcusCLT, Feb 20, 2011
    Hi, thank you for response and links....unfortunately, after reviewing all the comments, this thread relates to removing door panel when door is open.....my problem is removing the panel when door is closed....and unlatch....

    If any other ideas, THANK YOU so much.
     
  4. ttdang123

    ttdang123 Formula Junior

    Nov 28, 2009
    706
    North San Diego CA
    Full Name:
    Tung
    #4 ttdang123, Feb 20, 2011
  5. MarcusCLT

    MarcusCLT Karting

    Nov 22, 2010
    99
    Charlotte, NC
    Full Name:
    Steen
    #5 MarcusCLT, Feb 20, 2011
    Thank you Red27 + 11Dang123, responses appreciated, will bring comments and thread to mechanic tomorrow....and poor date, still stocked in the car :)
     
  6. MarcusCLT

    MarcusCLT Karting

    Nov 22, 2010
    99
    Charlotte, NC
    Full Name:
    Steen
    #6 MarcusCLT, Feb 21, 2011
    Just a quick update...my new super mechanic was able to open the door :) and my date finally escaped (damn), anyhow they managed by removing the arm-rest, located a person with a very small hand (and especially knuckles), they then designed a small tool, stuck the arm in there, and were able to lift the lever / latch and open the door :) appears the cable releasing the latch was "frozen".
     
  7. Schumi76

    Schumi76 Formula Junior

    Feb 15, 2006
    329
    NC
    Full Name:
    Marco
    #7 Schumi76, Feb 22, 2011
    Interesting story. Where did you bring you car to ??? Jared at AI ???
     
  8. MarcusCLT

    MarcusCLT Karting

    Nov 22, 2010
    99
    Charlotte, NC
    Full Name:
    Steen
    #8 MarcusCLT, Feb 22, 2011
    YEP, Jarod of AI was the hero as others could not make it happen
     
  9. MarcusCLT

    MarcusCLT Karting

    Nov 22, 2010
    99
    Charlotte, NC
    Full Name:
    Steen
    #9 MarcusCLT, Feb 23, 2011
    Brief update.....the mechanics now tried to replace the cable which was "frozen" however learned that nobody sells those cables any longer (not by itself), instead you have to purchase a new Latch system which comes with the cable...and get this, with the new Latch, there is no key mechanism, so you can only lock/unlock using the FOB and no longer use a key to lock or unlock...this is what I have been informed.

    In conclusion, even though the Latch appeared fine, had to spend $400 + labor to purchase a new Latch system including Cable, whereas the cable used to be sold for $86 by itself, but no longer...

    Just sharing...#$%^&**^$
     
  10. djastral69

    djastral69 Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Aug 6, 2007
    1,896
    Fl
    Full Name:
    David
    #10 djastral69, Feb 23, 2011
    Well that's some BS Marcus...at least you were able to get it opened up :)....now to find another date...Lol
     
  11. MarcusCLT

    MarcusCLT Karting

    Nov 22, 2010
    99
    Charlotte, NC
    Full Name:
    Steen
    #11 MarcusCLT, Feb 23, 2011
    LOL...and yep, date ran away when door opended up...probably cheaper in the long run anyway :)
     
  12. ttdang123

    ttdang123 Formula Junior

    Nov 28, 2009
    706
    North San Diego CA
    Full Name:
    Tung
    #12 ttdang123, Feb 23, 2011
    Marcus

    I do not know how to cross reference this one BUT I have a gut feeling that you still can get the same cable from the FIAT vendors?
     
  13. hangarsixco

    hangarsixco Formula Junior

    Oct 10, 2010
    396
    S. California
    Full Name:
    Chris
    #13 hangarsixco, Feb 23, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    This is going to sound Hokey but here goes. The cable is nothing more than a bicycle brake/gear selector cable and housing end. There is nothing fancy about it. I had a similar issue with my driver’s door the cable was frozen into the housing. I took a trip to the bicycle store and purchased a stainless cable/housing cut it to length and re-routed it, pressed on new ends works great and cost me less than $5.00 unfortunately I was not aware of F-chat when I did it and would have taken pics. As long as the cable ends fit securely in the plastic locking clips you are good to go. I attached a pic of the cable minus the housing.


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  14. FerrariDublin

    FerrariDublin F1 Rookie

    Jun 14, 2009
    3,454
    Dublin, Ireland
    Full Name:
    Greg
    #14 FerrariDublin, Jun 4, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Well I suffered the dreaded cable freeze (actually cable seize is probably a better term) and was locked out of the car.

    When the key fob was pressed the locks would try and open but then pop back into locked mode. I managed to open the passenger door between attempts and pop back and so was able to get into the cabin. Popped the boot and turned off the battery.

    Tried passenger door with key and could lock and unlock without a problem. Tried drivers door and could turn key ok but could not open the door either from outside or inside.

    Stripped the door card from inside the car. I didn't manage to remove it entirely but managed to gain enough access space to see what was going on. I guessed my problem was that experienced by others, that the cable to the external handle had seized and was interfering with the locking mechanism. I was able to identify the lock-end of the cable and bent a coat hanger to sent it down into the door behind the glass and managed to grab and pull the locking latch into correct position and bingo was able to open the door.

    Door card came away easily and I set about getting the effected cable out which took several minutes. Once I had the cable in my hand it was obvious that it was indeed the cause of the problem. It was very very stiff. I got a can of WD40 and grasped the straw as tightly against the opening of the cable as possible and managed to squirt a fair bit of fluid into it. Next up (from my motorcycling days) I dug out my old hydraulic cable oiler and pushed through several loads of fresh oil. The dirt and gunk that was discharged from the other end was incredible but finally I got nice clean oil oozing out and lo and behold I now have a nice slippery cable again!

    Happy days and thanks to all for their contributions. I'm not at all sure I'd have found the problem without this community.
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