1989 corvette head light door only opens half way on driver side

SOURCE: dash lights

did you try to adjust the dimer switch for dash lights?

Marvin

• 85242 Answers
• Posted on Feb 04, 2009

SOURCE: driver side door showing open when fully closed

U need to replace the switch called a door ajar switch, it is defective and causing this problem, it is located in the front of the door opening it has a punger that moves in and out as door is open and closed. Here is a photo

joecoolvette

• 5660 Answers
• Posted on Aug 15, 2009

SOURCE: 1972 corvette stingray, driver side door does not

Sounds like the door latch mechanism is worn out.

The door latch mechanism for your door is operated by rods, from the inside door handle, and the outside door handle.
It is highly unlikely, (Though not impossible), that all those two rods have fallen off. (Spring clips hold the rods in place. Opening Rod Control Clip. In the link below they are shown as Item E)

With the window all the way down, carefully use a long flat tip screwdriver, to push down on the lever for the door latch mechanism, to open the door. Make sure the lever for the door lock, in the door latch mechanism, is in the fully unlock position.

This link may help show you the inner door hardware, I'm referring to above,

http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette-c3-door-hardware+1968+1982-inner-1-106-9491.html

You can see that when you pull out on the inner door handle, it pulls a rod forward. This rod is attached to a Bellcrank. The Bellcrank in turn pulls down on another rod, which pulls down on a small lever in the door latch mechanism, to release the door latch.

When you push down on the outside door handle, it pushes a small rod that is attached to that same lever as the inner door handle. Looking down through the window opening in the door, it is that lever that you're trying to push down, to open the door.

Viewing down through the window opening, try to operate the outside door latch a little. Watch to see what lever it tries to move. That's the lever you have to move Down, with the flat tip screwdriver.

With the door open, it is a matter to check out,

1.The Inside Door Opening Control, (The inside door handle is attached to it), to see if the locking part of it is functioning correctly. Make sure that it goes to the full Unlocked position.

2.The Door Latch Mechanism. Make sure it is functioning correctly. It, along with the various door hardware parts inside the door, needs to be lubricated at specific intervals. The more it's used, the higher the interval rate goes up. (I find that owners seem to Skip this task a lot! I use Lubriplate White Lithium spray)

To replace the door latch mechanism, I suggest you buy a manual for your car, so you can view all of the door hardware to remove, to remove the door panel. Then view how the spring clips come off of the rods, and the three screws come out of the door latch mechanism.

SOURCE: I am not able to

well i would say to open the door and remove the panel and look for a broken clip sounds bout rite to me

SOURCE: 1989 Corvette Head light doors

This is a shot in the dark ... I seem to recall these doors are operated by vacuum. I would be looking at the hoses if I were you. 20 years is a long time for rubber hose my friend. If you don't find anything wrong with the hoses from the door operators back, check the hoses under dash board.

I had a similar problem with heater controls on my 25 + year old vehicle. My trouble was with the hose assembly that attached to the control. I patched that up and my controls operated normally afterward.

You might find a little CRC or WD-40 sprayed on the operators and hinges might help also. Another trick is to spray WD-40 on the hoses looking for leaks. The WD-40 will temporarly plug the leak and let the doors operate. This trick works for manifold and carb (leak) troubles as well.

I hope this helps you ... Thanks for your question @ FixYa.com