Anyone know why the passenger front door on my parts 73 SI is completely unopenable? I cut the door card away, am yanking on everything I can find based on the exploded parts view in the manual but it stays completely locked shut. I've disconnected lock etc. I left it soaking in penetrating oil but it's a bit of a head scratcher. Seems as though the door latch might be rusted shut or something is keeping it from releasing...

Car isn't particularly rusty overall, mostly light surface rust except underneath where the PO left it sitting in dirt for 20 years...

 

I had that happen once, Oliver.
Look here to see how it eventually got to working again.
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...2/#post1618794
I haven't had a minute's trouble since this time.
I hope it works for you.
(';')

 

Thanks! I'll have another go at it today

 

come in from the oppossite side and kick it hard from inside while someone keeps the door handle in the open position or wedge a screwdriver into the door handle.

I managed to open a rear door today at a Pull & Pay salvage yard that had been hit from outside. I kept the outside handle up wedged with a screwdriver, sat on the rear seat, took a deep breath, and kicked it with both feet with everything I had!! The darned thing opened!

there is no mercy in salvage yards! It's everyone for themselves!

 

Ha ha - yea been in that situation at the yard , usually covered in all sorts of filth too...didn't get to this door problem today as one end of the steering stabilizer decided to head south on my truck. By the time I'd bought a new bolt from the *********** and got it back together the day was gone. Will be either kicking or cutting the door open tomorrow...the inside of this car stinks and what's left of the upholstery is like a halloween horror house...need to get the heater box and core out too, will probably wait for hot weather to dry it all out a bit for that

 

If you really want the heater core, ya just as well figure on cutting it out of the car - or rather, cutting the car from around it.
I can tell you how I know that.
(';')

 

There my well be some sparks flying tomorrow...

It's incredibly annoying when it dawns on you that the car you thought you'd picked clean before taking to scrap had parts on it that you now urgently need and have to pay for...