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The passenger door on my 56 Patrician has a new trick: It is permanently locked, although it can be opened from the inside.

The door has been rattling a lot in the past few weeks.

Key turns the lock, but apparently is getting no real action.

Manual details how to get the lock out.

Any suggestions?

My suggestions are:

1. Don't park with the driver's side against a wall or other object that would require you to exit from the passenger door
2. If you must, be sure to leave the passenger window down
3. You might try removing the door panel to retrieve the rattling part, and/or replace/reconnect it to the locking assembly.
4. If that doesn't work, get some earplugs, and apply answers 1and 2.

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Need a little more clarification. You say key turns the lock. Does the button still not push in when you turn the lock to the unlock position or does it push in but not release the door latch so door can open. I can think of a few things depending on exactly what it does. One is an adjustment, others are possible parts failures.

Love the cartoon. Slow down....

Anyhow, the door is fully operable from inside the car, but the external lock remains locked.


When using the key (outside....) the key turns against resistance and you think you have it...but you don't. It remains locked.

It was driving so well this weekend maybe it was tryting to keep going......

Looks as if your mechanic is going to have to look so here's a couple of photos of the right front door latch mechanism to show what is happening. The photo of the latch assy was borrowed from packard1's ebay website & latch is for sale if it turns out you need a new latch assy.

The lock cylinder and pushbutton is an assembly held in the handle by a spring and retainer. The entire button assembly pushes and rotates a rectangular shaft which inserts into the latch mechanism. When the cylinder is turned to lock or unlock, the rectangular rod twists a part of the latch which moves a mechanism up or down. That up or down movement inserts or removes a block in the path of the part the button pushes against. That blocking action prevents or allows the button to push in. If the button will not push in at all that mechanism is not moving for some reason. Possible causes are the pot metal end of cylinder and button where the rod attaches has broken or the latch mechanism itself has broken.

When the button is pushed, a steel collar in the middle of the rectangular rod pushes against a part of the latch. When pressed, that piece in the latch moves a mechanism which lifts a spring loaded lever. That lever is preventing the outside toothed wheel from rotating. Once the lever is lifted, the wheel can rotate & the door can open. If you can push the button in but the door won't release the usual cause is that steel collar which is held by a setscrew to the rectangular shaft has slipped so the latch mechanism isn't pushed in far enough to raise the spring loaded lever.

Being able to open the door from the inside handle moves that blocking mechanism out of the way so would make me think the problem is in the outside handle and cylinder assy.

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Got a funeral for one of our members this Thursday. After which I'll give this a shot.

Locks were redone last year FWIW,

Have a new spring clip for that door as well, sooooo

I can't thank you enough for this. The manual is a great start, but this kind of advice is what makes this site priceless.

A large kudos to all of you who provide helpful advice like this, with extra thanks for the extra times you have had to repeat your words.

I continue to be amazed and impressed by the depth of knowledge and quality of photos posted regularly by Howard (HH56). Ubiquitous and expeditious are his posts- one rarely has to wait more than one hour to discover a reply that contains a comprehensive and educated solution to all kinds of issues on every model imaginable. I don't know how he does it, but if there were some kind of award or honorarium for his contributions, I would be one of the first ones to second the motion to elect him to the position of Grand Packard Master King.

Thank you, Howard, you are amazing.

Well deserved and well said!
Howard is the Merlin of Packardinfo.

Aw shucks, you guys are going to swell my head and it already hurts.

Just hope the problem turns out to be minor and in the area I think it is. Please keep us advised as to what the mechanic actually finds.

I wuz going to wax loquacious but thought better of it.

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