The Ford Barn

aandkt · 06-28-2025, 02:23 PM

My 1964 Ford Galaxie Convertible won't unlock with or without a key and from
neither the inside nor the outside.
The door handle button goes in but nothing changes.
The door is closed so I can't even remove the inside panel to work on it.
Any ideas??

56sedandelivery · 06-28-2025, 05:00 PM

Tried hooking the latch by using a wire and going down the window. Lowering the window would help seeing where the latch is.

aandkt · 06-28-2025, 06:40 PM

sounds like a start. Coat hanger sounds like the proper popper. I am on it now.

miker98038 · 06-28-2025, 08:28 PM

If you can’t get it, I’ve known tow truck drivers who are a wizard with a “slim Jim”. They used them to pop doors with the keys lost, or left in the car. Last resort, if you can find a guy who still knows how to work one. Problem cheaper than the alternatives.

Don’t hire one on parole.

Flathead Fever · 06-28-2025, 09:41 PM

I think you're going to have to pull the door panel with the door shut and see if you can get to the lock. It's going to be a pain in the butt, but you have to get inside the door to get to the lock and hopefully get it to release/ I was a mechanic for 40-years and I never saw a door that would not open from both the inside and the outside.

rotorwrench · 06-29-2025, 12:58 PM

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Something is broken with the latch. It likely won't go easy. Pull the front seat out and it will give room to work on the door card. Sometimes things are just a PITA. Those old 64 doors usually are pretty reliable but its been 61 years or so.

ms fowler · 07-03-2025, 05:25 AM

1-IMG_20250703_061018837.jpg
Are we all jumping to the conclusion that the latch is faulty?
How about a failed remote control, as Ford called the buttons and handle that operated the latch by rods? The rods were retained at the latch with either a metal or plastic clip--depending on year and maybe available supplies. Is it possible that the clip has failed --rusted or became brittle and broke and then road vibration allowed the rod to fall out of the latch?
What do you feel as you push in on the button? Is there less resistance than you feel on the driver's door? Same for the inside handle and lock button--do they have the same "feel" as the other door?
Is it possible to lower the window and use a long rod with a bend right at the end to operate the lock?

mercman from oz · 07-03-2025, 05:29 AM

06-28-2025, 02:23 PM	#1
aandkt Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: LI NY Posts: 229	1964 Ford closed door won't unlock My 1964 Ford Galaxie Convertible won't unlock with or without a key and from neither the inside nor the outside. The door handle button goes in but nothing changes. The door is closed so I can't even remove the inside panel to work on it. Any ideas??

06-28-2025, 05:00 PM	#2
56sedandelivery Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Arkansas Posts: 577	Re: 1964 Ford closed door won't unlock Tried hooking the latch by using a wire and going down the window. Lowering the window would help seeing where the latch is.

06-28-2025, 06:40 PM	#3
aandkt Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: LI NY Posts: 229	Re: 1964 Ford closed door won't unlock sounds like a start. Coat hanger sounds like the proper popper. I am on it now.

06-28-2025, 08:28 PM	#4
miker98038 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Kent, WA. Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,625	Re: 1964 Ford closed door won't unlock If you can’t get it, I’ve known tow truck drivers who are a wizard with a “slim Jim”. They used them to pop doors with the keys lost, or left in the car. Last resort, if you can find a guy who still knows how to work one. Problem cheaper than the alternatives. Don’t hire one on parole. Last edited by miker98038; 06-28-2025 at 09:51 PM.

06-28-2025, 09:41 PM	#5
Flathead Fever Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,360	Re: 1964 Ford closed door won't unlock I think you're going to have to pull the door panel with the door shut and see if you can get to the lock. It's going to be a pain in the butt, but you have to get inside the door to get to the lock and hopefully get it to release/ I was a mechanic for 40-years and I never saw a door that would not open from both the inside and the outside. Last edited by Flathead Fever; 06-28-2025 at 09:46 PM.

06-29-2025, 12:58 PM	#6
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 17,410	Re: 1964 Ford closed door won't unlock Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Something is broken with the latch. It likely won't go easy. Pull the front seat out and it will give room to work on the door card. Sometimes things are just a PITA. Those old 64 doors usually are pretty reliable but its been 61 years or so.

07-03-2025, 05:25 AM	#7
ms fowler Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2022 Posts: 175	Re: 1964 Ford closed door won't unlock 1-IMG_20250703_061018837.jpg Are we all jumping to the conclusion that the latch is faulty? How about a failed remote control, as Ford called the buttons and handle that operated the latch by rods? The rods were retained at the latch with either a metal or plastic clip--depending on year and maybe available supplies. Is it possible that the clip has failed --rusted or became brittle and broke and then road vibration allowed the rod to fall out of the latch? What do you feel as you push in on the button? Is there less resistance than you feel on the driver's door? Same for the inside handle and lock button--do they have the same "feel" as the other door? Is it possible to lower the window and use a long rod with a bend right at the end to operate the lock?

07-03-2025, 05:29 AM	#8
mercman from oz Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 12,009	Re: 1964 Ford closed door won't unlock