General Drivers door not shutting!

[orangepuntoboy]

After just getting my GP back on the road after engine management problems (fixed under warrenty) yesterday, today when I pull up at home I couldn't get out (someone had to open the door from the outside), then when going to close it....it wouldn't!! It just bounces back, I've had a good look as has my dad and can't see whats wrong, we've had to tie the door shut with string attached to the driver seat runner. Has anyone else had this problem?

 

[D4nny8oy]

Driver's door catch has failed internally. Needs a new door catch (Look in the "Common Faults" thread at the top).

Yours has got jammed in the released position, preventing the catch from latching. If I remember correctly, the way to get around this is to operate the interior handle a few times with the door already opened, then close the door- this should get the catch to stay closed again.

 

[Archieleggatt]

After just getting my GP back on the road after engine management problems (fixed under warrenty) yesterday, today when I pull up at home I couldn't get out (someone had to open the door from the outside), then when going to close it....it wouldn't!! It just bounces back, I've had a good look as has my dad and can't see whats wrong, we've had to tie the door shut with string attached to the driver seat runner. Has anyone else had this problem?

Had similar problem with rear offside door - recently wouldn't latch when closed - but with using inside handle and remote to lock/unlock whislt open - managed to get it to latch - but then it refused to open at all with the outside handle - but it would from inside!!.. As I also had the known issue with the rear nearside door outside handle being stiff/difficult to open - the dealer had the car Monday last to mend both doors under warranty ( car jsut under 2 years old now) . However they only succeeded in making both rear doors unuseable from outside - effectively "reverse childlocks" -- openable from inside but not outside!!! Car back with them on Friday - I now have 4 doors that lock/unlock by key/remote - and they all open/close from all 8 handles ! Happy bunny again . All under warranty.

So get it to the dealer to do under warranty !!!


Chris

 

[T14086]

However they only succeeded in making both rear doors unuseable from outside - effectively "reverse childlocks" -- openable from inside but not outside!!!

Thats just poor! The oter door modification is well known/documented among dealerships.

 

[orangepuntoboy]

So get it to the dealer to do under warranty !!!


Chris

I will, not sure I'd feel safe driving it to the garage as door not shutting though...could be a problem.

To be honest, this coupled with other problems I've had with it Im seriously thinking of getting shot of it.

 

[T14086]

flip up the outer handle a few times then close it,it will stay shut.

 

[orangepuntoboy]

Sadly I have tried the flipping handle approach this morning and it didn't work for me....looks like they can come and collect it.

 

[T14086]

is the catch thrown over?

 

[orangepuntoboy]

is the catch thrown over?

What would that look like?

 

[T14086]

is the catch (white arrow) down (as in picture) or up?

 

[orangepuntoboy]

Ah, cheers! Im guessing up as solid black plastic in the gap...moves to down position if u move it with finger...but doesn't stay there.

 

[T14086]

picture shows catch in unlocked position,when you close door & catch touches striker plate it moves up to lock.

 

[orangepuntoboy]

All I can say is the striker must not be locking on for some reason.

 

[JTD_Liam]

I really don't understand how the Grande Punto has these common faults, when the Panda launched before it, and Bravo launched after it, seem to be trouble free (save for a few rogue Pandas).

Such a shame coz it's a gorgeous looking car, but as im looking to change my Punto JTD at the moment i think i actually feel safer putting my money in a Stilo. And there's alot of people who would say that's saying something.

Also, orangepunto's car is a 2007 - isn't 2 years long enough for Fiat to figure out they need to use door locks that actually work? It's like they enjoy being mocked for poor quality, when by and large theyre better quality than far more popular makes, really sad.

 

[D4nny8oy]

I really don't understand how the Grande Punto has these common faults, when the Panda launched before it, and Bravo launched after it, seem to be trouble free (save for a few rogue Pandas).

Such a shame coz it's a gorgeous looking car, but as im looking to change my Punto JTD at the moment i think i actually feel safer putting my money in a Stilo. And there's alot of people who would say that's saying something.

Also, orangepunto's car is a 2007 - isn't 2 years long enough for Fiat to figure out they need to use door locks that actually work? It's like they enjoy being mocked for poor quality, when by and large theyre better quality than far more popular makes, really sad.

The GP's lock assembly is unique to that model- no other Fiat's use that catch, so it's inevitable that despite rigorous testing there'll be some sort of issue that the engineers didn't forsee (it's probably based on a Vauxhall design anyway ). And when the Stilo was first launched they had horrendous issues with door catches (front and rear) which left them completely deadlocked and needing to be stripped from inside the vehicle in most cases.

Just because a car is registered in '07 doesn't mean it's not been built in '06 and sat in a compound for a year.

 

[JTD_Liam]

Thats just it tho - why use a different part to that of any other model? Why not use one that's been proven in another Fiat Group car?

Very true about the car sitting in a compund tho, that is very possible

 

[orangepuntoboy]

Maybe I should have bought the Panda Liam (wouldn't say no to 100hp).
Have spoken to Fiat garage today, they suggested having another go with the door and ring them back tomorrow. If I can get it to close they'll replace the lock on wednesday. I spoke to FIAT directly today aswell, they were very pleasant (as were garage, LC Motors, Newport who have been fab to deal with) but they just kept reitereating 'take it to a dealer'. I did try pointing out that if the door was not lshutting then I wouldn't feel safe driving it nearly 30 miles to Newport, which they did npt take on board. I'll see what LC Motors say tomorrow if the door still won't close.

 

[Archieleggatt]

Maybe I should have bought the Panda Liam (wouldn't say no to 100hp).
Have spoken to Fiat garage today, they suggested having another go with the door and ring them back tomorrow. If I can get it to close they'll replace the lock on wednesday. I spoke to FIAT directly today aswell, they were very pleasant (as were garage, LC Motors, Newport who have been fab to deal with) but they just kept reitereating 'take it to a dealer'. I did try pointing out that if the door was not lshutting then I wouldn't feel safe driving it nearly 30 miles to Newport, which they did npt take on board. I'll see what LC Motors say tomorrow if the door still won't close.

If it does mean driving to the dealer with the front door not latched, "wind down" front and rear windows and use a bungee or two near top of windows to tightly keep the door clsoed - then wind windows back gently up onto the bungees to just pinch and to minimise risk of door opening . And then hope it don't rain

 

[orangepuntoboy]

Thats a good idea......except its a 3dr so rear windows don't open

 

[T14086]

I've always managed to shut the door,can take quite a few attempts but always works,never seen one that refuses 100% to shut.