Drivers door latch will not engage door striker. it hits striker but will not stay over center and door closer does not activate

remove door panel to inspect linkage in extreme cold and age the clips/connectors break or pop off also if greased can thicken like a putty and also not allow proper working

make sure the striker is where it should be that s part that the latch latches on to

Take a screw driver and I’m the door jam there is a latch put the screw driver in the whole where it would hit the stricken and at the same time pull the door release and put pressure against the latch in the same motion it would be if you was having to open the door .
Be sure you are pulling the latch toward the vehicle not toward the door it should rotate and look like a small deity a opening for the stricken to make contact. It is the rotating part that latches the striker and hold the door closed. So if you don’t see the shape of a C in the door latch it is closed already and you need it to be opened to allow the striker to connect the too. When closed it rotates the C upward and you can only see a gap in the latch place the screwdriver in the gap area

It won't lock unless the brain knows the trunk is closed. One way of telling the brain the latch is engaged is by a switch buried in the latch that is pressed when the striker is fully engaged.

A worn/maladjusted striker, worn latch, broken switch or wiring are possible causes...

Take your finger and rotate that little gear on the latch on the door, either back or forth and it should work then.

1. This is what probably occured
2. While the door was open the latch on the door was closed
3. If the spring inside the latch is broken, Working the inner or outer door release handles will not open the latch.
4. place a screwdriver in the opening of the latch where the door striker would be if the door was closed.
5. apply pressure to the latch paw while operating door release.
6. latch should open.
7. replacement of the latch will keep this from happening again

You can order new from dealer or find one in any scrapyard. Often if a door is dented or rusted they will allow you to remove items usually sold with the door.
Have you tried adjusting the striker post to get the latch to close properly?

The door latch could be closed, in other words, the door thinks it shut into the striker. Take and hold the door handle open, like your trying to open the door, hold the handle out or up and at the same time open the latch, it may be stuck or closed...If that's not it, you may have to re-align the latch to the striker, the striker will come loose with a torx bit. Loosen it up, and move it around and re tighten, it's a trial and error deal, just keep trying different positions until if works right...

open the door , look at the latch on the door , as it get older and non lubricated , the latch can stick in the locked position , i,m going to draw a picture .


when the door is open it should look like the picture , i suggest your door is in the closed position and why it bounces off as you say , take a , lets say a screw driver stick it in where the little lever thats sticking up , push the door open button on the outside door handle , pry that lever forward , if successful try it , and lubricate it , hope my barbaric picture gets the point across .

hello first thing to check is were the box mounts at the bottom of the door hinge assembly undo the screws you should be able to lift the door enough to release the lock inside goodluck