1997. How can I replace a door latch? - Cougar Mercury Cars & Trucks

Most of the white clips on the bars twist upward and the bar pulls out of it.

Try giving the latch mechanism a spray of WD40

Take off the window latch/lock and pop off the 2 pieces of trim and you should be able to access the cable.

There are small springs inside the door latch that can either break of fall off. You need to remove the door panel and repair/replace the latch mechanism

pull the door panel and unbolt the latch from the inside if that is not possible cut the part the latch attaches to on the body with a diegrinder

if you hit the lock button a couple times, will it finally lock?

If so, then you will need to take door cover off and lube up the connectors as they probably got corroded.

Section 501-14A: Handles, Locks, Latches and Mechanisms 1997 F-150, F-250 Workshop Manual REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Latch, Rear Door — Upper Removal

1. Remove the rear door trim panel; refer to Section 501-05 .

1. Remove the rear door radio speaker.
   1. Remove the four radio speaker screws.
   1. Disconnect the electrical connector.
   1. Remove the rear door radio speaker.

1. Carefully peel off the rear door watershield.

1. Disconnect the upper rear door latch cable.
   1. Lift the clip.
   1. Pull to release the cable from its seated position.

1. Remove the upper rear door latch.
   1. Remove the three screws.
   1. Pull the upper rear door latch and the cable up through the door latch opening.

does the door just bounce back open when you shut it? If so then the latch inside of your door should be in the open position. You may need to take a screw driver and lightly pry it back open so that the U shape or Yoke if you will is pointing towards the inside of the car if you were to slowly swing the door shut. That way the striker (located on the car body inside the door frame) will go into this yoke and it will rotate upward as the door latches. Remember to lift the door handle before prying down on the locking mechanism (yoke latch). If your latch is already in the right position slowly close the door and see where the latch and striker are hitting. If it looks like the latch is to low then your door hinge pins and bushings are worn needing replacement. You can usually get this done for about $60.00 from a local body shop.

where door latches on car get a screw driver and pop latch back in the up possion right now your latch is down like your door is closed

i havnt come across any easy fixes for this but to replace the linkage in the door....sry to tell ya that.....