Drivers door latch

[BlueWedgy]

Hi I seem to have developed a drivers door latching problem.
The door has to be shut really gently for the 2 stage latch system to work. Slam the door hard and it bounces back open. I also notice that even with the second latch fully engaged (door fully closed) the door can be pulled open (flicking the latch to the open position), this is a little disconcerting should I lean on the door whilst driving as it could well fiy open. The MOT is also due in couple of months.

Has anyone come across this?
I haven't taken the door card off yet to investigate, just hoping of some words of wisdom before I dive in.
Are these Cortina or Granada latches? As always finding the correct parts are getting harder and harder to find.

Cheers

Edited by BlueWedgy on Monday 25th March 19:26

[Wedg1e]

Yes, Ford... I think several of their models used the same mech.. in fact there's a guy selling ex-Mk 2 Escort ones (£28) on Ebay which look to be the same (but I can't be 100%). Failing that, Cortina is the most likely as they had the external handles off it as well
Part number seems to be 23-09-18 on that one (looks like a date code but can't be!); as far as I recall parts that were model-specific began with a 2-letter code so if it was used across several models that wouldn't be unusual. I don't think you can see the part number (or Ford logo) when it's installed on the door though.

If the door's been slammed hard enough on to the striker pin (can happen when the hinge bushes wear so the door sags) the pin might have moved inwards, preventing the latch from engaging properly.
The latches do get gunged up, you might well find that a good dunk in paraffin/ diesel and a re-lube with light oil will fettle it. Of course if there's anything else wrong with it, you'll have discovered it by then...

Edited by Wedg1e on Monday 25th March 16:41

[Adrian@]

This where the Ford part number is (this is my Taimar turbo mech, c. 1980), but T21812/3 will be the lock part preceded by year/GB (number) and AB



There is a minor spring that fails on Fords...TVR's will not of had the use and once stripped out and washed through (I cleaned my wedge ones because they were doing the same thing as you are saying).
Rod clips are brittle, and need to be treated like they are gold dust. (I have some, but China plastic ones simple do not work). A@

Edited by Adrian@ on Monday 25th March 17:34

[BlueWedgy]

Thanks guys. I am unable to get to it at the mo having dropped a trolley jack on my toe.
I will take it apart once I am able to kneel down again.

The door does not have free play nor looking like it has dropped. It does however seem further forward than the passenger side.
Thinking about it, this all started when the window popped out of its runner, so there may be something getting snagged when I put it back together.
All things to look once I stop hobbling around.

Many thanks

[Wedg1e]

Adrian@ said:

This where the Ford part number is (this is my Taimar turbo mech, c. 1980), but T21812/3 will be the lock part preceded by year/GB (number) and AB

From memory, 74 is the year it was introduced, GB designated the original model (e.g. Granada) and the last bit (AB) changed if they made minor revisions. Lots of useful cross-ref info I used to have was on a hard drive that died some years back.

[BlueWedgy]

This is all sorted now.
It was to do with the length of the inner door handle rod that connects to the door latch. it was just slightly too short pulling on the latch.

Many thanks for suggestions and information.

Cheers