| HELP! Trapped inside GMC and can't get out? [message #225893] |
Wed, 16 October 2013 21:56  |
gbarrow2
Messages: 765
Registered: February 2004
Location: Lake Almanor, Ca./ Red Bl...
Karma: 3
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Installed the new/used inside door latch(from Bert&Faye- thanks-I think)and metal trim cover today. All was well until I closed the door and found my self locked inside.
The door is closed securely on the 2nd step of the latch. I think it is locked but I can't tell for sure.
Can't open from inside or outside. Can't pull the lock button up or turn the key in the outside key lock.
Don't want to break any thing but I need to get it open. My wife refuses to travel with me if she has to enter and exit through the window.
I'm sure I'm not the first GMC'er to have this problem- So man up and send me your solutions.
You can use private messaging if you don't want to admit to stupidity and suffer public humiliation.
I'm feeling like Charley of Kingston Trio and MTA fame. I hope my wife will hand me sandwiches through the open window every day at a 1/4 past 2:00.
All seriousness aside here. I need your help.
All replies will be held in the strictest confidence.
Gene Barrow
Lake Almanor, Ca.
1976 Palm Beach
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| Re: HELP! Trapped inside GMC and can't get out? [message #225896 is a reply to message #225893] |
Wed, 16 October 2013 22:10  |
GeorgeRud
Messages: 1380
Registered: February 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
Karma: 0
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Jim Bounds has posted on this before, but I don't think he had given any specifics on how to get out unless you cut the metal away from the inside panel to access the locking mechanism. If your wife can pass you a GMC tool with a metal cutting blade, you can cut the panel to gain access.
He then fabricates a plate to cover the opening that can be removed from the inside.
Sorry this doesn't get you out, but it's the best I can do!
George Rudawsky
Chicago, IL
75 Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] HELP! Trapped inside GMC and can't get out? [message #225908 is a reply to message #225893] |
Thu, 17 October 2013 00:54 |
sgltrac
Messages: 2797
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 1
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Is there any play in the door or is it so tightly closed it feels welded at the latch? Did you hook everything up and test operation with the door open before nailing the lid on the coffin? If it feels like it is under pressure See if you can get someone to apply thrust pressure inward from the outside while you simultaneously attempt to pull up on the interior lock rod. If it clicks up you may be home free and be able to pull the inner handle and get out. If you are able to get the lock rod up with this method but are still unable to get the latch to release, repeat timed inward pressure from your assistant while operating the inner handle. Sounds like door latch might be adjusted too tight. Hopefully there is not a rod out of a lever inside the door.
Todd Sullivan
Sully
77 royale
Seattle.
> On Oct 16, 2013, at 7:56 PM, gene barrow <barrowgene@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> Installed the new/used inside door latch(from Bert&Faye- thanks-I think)and metal trim cover today. All was well until I closed the door and found my self locked inside.
> The door is closed securely on the 2nd step of the latch. I think it is locked but I can't tell for sure.
> Can't open from inside or outside. Can't pull the lock button up or turn the key in the outside key lock.
> Don't want to break any thing but I need to get it open. My wife refuses to travel with me if she has to enter and exit through the window.
> I'm sure I'm not the first GMC'er to have this problem- So man up and send me your solutions.
> You can use private messaging if you don't want to admit to stupidity and suffer public humiliation.
>
> I'm feeling like Charley of Kingston Trio and MTA fame. I hope my wife will hand me sandwiches through the open window every day at a 1/4 past 2:00.
>
> All seriousness aside here. I need your help.
>
> All replies will be held in the strictest confidence.
> --
> Gene Barrow
> Lake Almanor, Ca.
> 1976 Palm Beach
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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Sully
77 Royale basket case.
Future motorhome land speed record holder(bucket list)
Seattle, Wa.
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| Re: [GMCnet] HELP! Trapped inside GMC and can't get out? [message #225924 is a reply to message #225908] |
Thu, 17 October 2013 07:34 |
gbarrow2
Messages: 765
Registered: February 2004
Location: Lake Almanor, Ca./ Red Bl...
Karma: 3
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Thanks Guys,
My post was partly tongue in cheek. I'm not trapped; I climbed out the dinette window.
But the door is indeed locked up tighter than a frog's a$$.
Sully,
I'll try to get a hefty friend to lean on the outside while I try to unlock and operate the lever from the inside as you suggest. I'm not optimistic- the latch is on the 2nd catch and the door is pulled very tightly into the jamb.
I don't think that AAA lock-out tech would have any special tool for this type of lock. But if they send a BIG guy he can apply the outside pressure. Won't cost anything to try.
Would a locksmith be helpful? They can remove the key cylinder and maybe have a way to actuate the lock lever with more force.
I can drive over to the local shop when they open.
I don't want to cut the metal cover off. It's all freshly painted.
Gene Barrow
Lake Almanor, Ca.
1976 Palm Beach
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| Re: HELP! Trapped inside GMC and can't get out? [message #225930 is a reply to message #225893] |
Thu, 17 October 2013 09:01 |
Dennis S
Messages: 3046
Registered: November 2005
Karma: 2
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Gene,
You might try having an assistant unlock the door with the key while you try pulling up on the door lock button.
Dennis
| gbarrow wrote on Wed, 16 October 2013 21:56 |
Installed the new/used inside door latch(from Bert&Faye- thanks-I think)and metal trim cover today. All was well until I closed the door and found my self locked inside.
The door is closed securely on the 2nd step of the latch. I think it is locked but I can't tell for sure.
Can't open from inside or outside. Can't pull the lock button up or turn the key in the outside key lock.
Don't want to break any thing but I need to get it open. My wife refuses to travel with me if she has to enter and exit through the window.
I'm sure I'm not the first GMC'er to have this problem- So man up and send me your solutions.
You can use private messaging if you don't want to admit to stupidity and suffer public humiliation.
I'm feeling like Charley of Kingston Trio and MTA fame. I hope my wife will hand me sandwiches through the open window every day at a 1/4 past 2:00.
All seriousness aside here. I need your help.
All replies will be held in the strictest confidence.
|
Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
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| Re: [GMCnet] HELP! Trapped inside GMC and can't get out? [message #225931 is a reply to message #225927] |
Thu, 17 October 2013 09:18 |
gbarrow2
Messages: 765
Registered: February 2004
Location: Lake Almanor, Ca./ Red Bl...
Karma: 3
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Senior Member |
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Matt,Dennis
The key and lock have been working fine. I had never installed the door panel because I didn't have the inside latch.
with the cover panel off the lock and latch mechanism both worked easily.
I got the latch and connecting rod at Coos Bay and installed it yesterday. First time I closed the door with the panel on the door stuck.
I think that the problem is that to install the panel I had to loosen the screws holding the latch mech. Probably changed the alignment/adjustment when I retightened. Also didn't notice at the time but the locking shaft probably got depressed.
On a positive note-the door sure fits nicely into the jamb-no gap top or bottom.
Waiting for daylight around here to seek some muscle. Need someone stronger and heavier than my willing but inadequate wife.
Gene Barrow
Lake Almanor, Ca.
1976 Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] HELP! Trapped inside GMC and can't get out? [message #225957 is a reply to message #225931] |
Thu, 17 October 2013 13:03 |
sgltrac
Messages: 2797
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 1
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I don't think its possible to remove/ install the metal cover plate without effecting latch positioning since the same fasteners for the cover partially secure the latch as you have noted. The lock mechanism on The Pig was sensitive to positioning of the cover plate.
As for lock release mechanisms being designed to operate even under pressure all that goes out the window when the innards have been monkeyed with. We get cars in constantly with collision damage resulting in pressure on door latches/locking mechanisms and they frequently require unloading prior to functioning.
Anyone who decides to play with their door latch should test operation of inner and outer door handles as well as interior lock rod/ exterior key function REPEATEDLY prior to closing the door.
Todd Sullivan
Sully
77 royale
Seattle
> On Oct 17, 2013, at 7:18 AM, gene barrow <barrowgene@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> Matt,Dennis
> The key and lock have been working fine. I had never installed the door panel because I didn't have the inside latch.
> with the cover panel off the lock and latch mechanism both worked easily.
> I got the latch and connecting rod at Coos Bay and installed it yesterday. First time I closed the door with the panel on the door stuck.
>
> I think that the problem is that to install the panel I had to loosen the screws holding the latch mech. Probably changed the alignment/adjustment when I retightened. Also didn't notice at the time but the locking shaft probably got depressed.
> On a positive note-the door sure fits nicely into the jamb-no gap top or bottom.
>
> Waiting for daylight around here to seek some muscle. Need someone stronger and heavier than my willing but inadequate wife.
> --
> Gene Barrow
> Lake Almanor, Ca.
> 1976 Palm Beach
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
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Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Sully
77 Royale basket case.
Future motorhome land speed record holder(bucket list)
Seattle, Wa.
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| Re: [GMCnet] HELP! Trapped inside GMC and can't get out? [message #225961 is a reply to message #225957] |
Thu, 17 October 2013 13:38 |
gbarrow2
Messages: 765
Registered: February 2004
Location: Lake Almanor, Ca./ Red Bl...
Karma: 3
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Senior Member |
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Sully, Matt, Dennis,
I removed the accessible screws from the door panel. That relieved the binding and I was able to unlock the door from the inside. But the inside handle would not unlatch the door. Crawled back through the window and opened it with the outside handle.
It appears that the rod connecting the inside handle to the latch is about 1/2 inch short. The one that came with the used handle is 4 3/4 center to center of the pins.
I can connect it and button everything up but the handle doesn't have enough travel to operate the latch.
Any one have a door apart and can measure the horizontal rod connected to the inside handle?
Where might I find a longer one.\?
Thanks All.
Gene Barrow
Lake Almanor, Ca.
1976 Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] HELP! Trapped inside GMC and can't get out? [message #225975 is a reply to message #225961] |
Thu, 17 October 2013 16:23 |
Don A
Messages: 895
Registered: October 2008
Location: Dallas, TX
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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<<< Where might I find a longer one.\ ?>>>
my local hardware atory carries welding rods that worked for me. HmDpt and Lowes carry welders, must also have rods?
Don Adams Dallas, TX
'76 26' Glenbrook, '90 Sidekick
rebuilt by R Archer, powered by J Bounds, Koba
[IMG]http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6109/G2.jpg[/IMG]
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