Door won't shut

[Jason_99ozGS]

I have a 90 Plymouth Laser and this morning my driver's side lock was frozen shut. So I got in on the passenger side and flipped the lock for the driver's side door from the inside of the car. I then tried to open the door and it was frozen shut. So I had a friend push on the door from the inside while I pulled on the handle from the outside and it came open. When I went to close the door it wouldn't shut. I used a screw driver to move to the latch to sort of simulate it hitting the striker and the latch would never lock into place like the passenger side would. Then I pulled off the door panel to look for anything that was loose or missing and didn't notice anything (I'm still going to pull the passenger side panel off so I can compare the two).

Just wondering if anyone has had this happen before to them and what it was. I'm away at school and have limited tools here and it's 20 degrees outside so I'll probably just tie the door shut for now. I don't drive my car much here, but I hope it will be safe enough to tie it shut and make the 100 mile trip home on the highway. If I need a new latch I'm definitely not looking forward to replacing that because I've changed door handles before and that wasn't much fun

 

[90mitsu]

lift out side door handle and flip the latch up if it is in the closed position mine does it all the time when it its cold out

 

[Jason_99ozGS]

lift out side door handle and flip the latch up if it is in the closed position mine does it all the time when it its cold out

It's not in the closed position. It's in the open position ready to latch on the to striker. The problem is when the latch moves to the closed position it doesn't stay locked in the closed position. I even used a screw driver to move the latch to the closed position and when I pushed on the latch it would easily move back to the open position. The working passenger side however would stay locked in the closed position until you pulled on the door handle.

I was just wondering if anyone knows if something could have popped off the latch or if there's a way I can latch the door shut for now and just crawl in through the passenger side.

 

[90mitsu]

there should be a lock with some type of spring that holds the hook to the striker(in closed position) can you look up in the latch to see if it is all in place. did you find any pieces in the bottom of your door?sometimes the rivets will give out letting the latch assembly spread and allowing those parts to fall out. ill try to find one so i can take it apart to see how that one should work i think i have one kicking around my shop ill let you know