Door keeps opening when driving

[Yeldaw]

Hi the drivers door on my series 3 keeps opening whilst driving. I have tried adjusting and replacing the striker plate but it is still an issue. However I have noticed if I lock the car it does not open. The problem will then improve for a few days so I no longer have to lock the door when driving. Has anyone else had this problem could it be related to a problem with the door release mechanism rather than the striker plate?

[ChrisC]

It *sounds* like the striker plate is not right yet in that when you close the door it appears to be secure but it is actually latching on the 'safety' position - there is another position past that which secures the door. The safety position is there in case the door pops off its catch...

Naturally if you lock the door the mechanism cant spin so cant come unlatched.

I *think* you need to move the striker plate outwards a bit so that both catches engage.

I could be wrong - but this is how it works on series 1 cars - and I accept yours is a series 3 so may work differently.... :?

[christopher storey]

Strange. I do not think that the lock prevents the star wheel from rotating - all it usually does is prevent the handle button from actuating the release lever . Nonetheless, I think Chris is probably right in that the door is not travelling far enough inwards ( relatively speaking ) to engage the star wheel on the second tooth of the striker plate , and that adjustment as he suggests may cure the problem

[Yeldaw]

Hi Thanks, sorry I may have mis lead you the door actually moves to the safety position rather than opens fully. I will try moving the striker plate a little further out again. I thoght I had tried all the positions possible already but worth another go. If this does not work what are my next options?

[tinworm]

I remember a friend of mine telling me how a chap had come to him with an old MG midget for door lock adjustment - he found he could open and shut the door when he was standing beside the car and he could shut the door with effort when he was sitting in it , but he could not open the door to get out. This turned out to be nothing to do with the door lock it was actually a very weak body flexing with his weight in it ! I think it cost him quite a few hundred to have it welded. Not that this E types problem is anything like the Midgets of course !

[Yeldaw]

I don't like the idea of that, this has only just started to happen and the body etc is in good condition so I think it is related to the striker, lock or possibly the door alignment