The problem of a door not latching is commonly caused by a misaligned strike plate so the first thing you have to do is to check the strike plate first for alignment.
Car door striker plate adjustment.
Before you attempt to adjust the strike plate make sure the door does not need to be adjusted.
When that happens the door strike will not align with the strike plate.
How to adjust a door knob strike plate.
Make sure it s in the proper location.
This video shows how to adjust a car door so it closes flush with the rear door.
Step away from the car and visually inspect the way the car door aligns with the car s body.
Tightening the hinges or adding a support screw may be all that is need to get the door working correctly.
Moving the strike plate should not be needed most of the time.
If the latch won t spring into the strike plate photo 1 observe whether it hits the plate at the top or bottom.
A door strike plate attaches to the latch side door jamb.
If your car door has a drag or does not open even after replacing the door striker plate you may need to conduct further inspections of the door striker plate assembly and the door striker to check for any door latch.
This video shows how to adjust a car door so it closes flush with the rear door.
When adjusting the door striker plate you may have to adjust it several times to ensure a good seal on the door.
Open the door again.
To adjust the striker plate open the door and mark on the door pillar with a pencil the height at which the lock passes it.
Luckily this is an easy fix and all that you need is a screwdriver small chisel hammer and a pencil or marker.
This indicates where you need to realign the car door.
The lock striker should enter the slot on the plate centrally without rubbing the sides.
Inspect all of the bolts holding the door in place.
It has a round or square hole that the door latch bolt fits into when you turn the knob and close.
Inspect the striker plate.
If the door still doesn t catch grab a flashlight and study the way the door latch the flexing part operated by the door handle hits the strike plate.
Beginning to make sure the door will latch properly.
