Door latch HELP please

I have been going in and out of the RV all day just fine.  I went to take the dog for a walk and shut the door.  As soon as I did I realized I was carrying something I didn't need and reached up to open the door.  The door no longer opened.  The latch pulls out as it should but doesn't release the door.  I parked the dog in the car, and went in thru the driver door to see if I could open it from inside - nope.  I got out the screw driver and took off the inside face plate hoping something would jump out at me (sort of like opening the hood and staring at the engine when you haven't a clue). trying to work the latch from there didn't help either.

Have any of you had this happen and do you have any good news for me about what I might be able to do?

And yes - when they open tomorrow I can call in to PC.  Just hoping there is someone with a pearl of wisdom about this so I can get me and the dog in and out the normal way.  Thanks.

p.s. I did try locking and unlocking both locks - both with the key and from the inside just in case they somehow popped into place.  No change.

Also tried quietly cussing to myself but that didn't seem to move anything either.

That pretty much uses up my best talents

Hi Cats--
So sorry I can't offer you a short cut past that door.  All I can offer is my own experience, which was the same situation a year or two ago.  Door locked me out and there was no way to bypass it so me and doggy went in and out via the cab doors.  I got the problem fixed when passing through Elkhart and they did it at no charge.  Seems there was a batch of those door locks that were a problem.  I know you are not near nor heading in Elkhart's direction, but hopefully Phoenix will step up to the plate for you and reimburse your expenses to get a replacement wherever you are.  Good luck and take care!

Thanks Carol.  It's always something interesting isn't it! 

i had the same problem this summer. there is access to the latch inside the inner plate. keep looking it is there. the new assembly goes in easily. good luck. i know folks that had the same problem in a class A.no  other way out. class C advantage.

Hi catsaplenty,

No guaranteed success with this suggestion, but hold the latch and give the door a real good shoulder bump from the outside, and then from the inside.

If you get the door open, there may be a simple do-it-yourself solution.  The adjustment might be with the metal plate in the door jamb that the latches go into to.  I think on mine there are spacer washers to remove to increase the gap.  Doing so should allow for a consistent release.

If you look close at this picture of mine, you can see the catch is not flush to the door frame.  There is a gap, assumed a washer is behind the plate.  Remove your washers and you might be fine.  That will be much easier than setting up an appointment and running to a place who will likely try that first.

Thanks Dave, I will look again.  I found the piece yesterday that the latch engages but manipulating that didn't do anything.  I was afraid to try removing the whole thing for fear I couldn't get it back in. 

Ron, I know what you mean with that assembly.  I have had the plate wiggle loose before - usually the door won't latch right and then I know to tighten it.  At this point I haven't figured out how to get to it without getting the door open, but I will keep working at it.

Thanks

Thanks Dave, I will look again.  I found the piece yesterday that the latch engages but manipulating that didn't do anything.  I was afraid to try removing the whole thing for fear I couldn't get it back in. 

Ron, I know what you mean with that assembly.  I have had the plate wiggle loose before - usually the door won't latch right and then I know to tighten it.  At this point I haven't figured out how to get to it without getting the door open, but I will keep working at it.

Thanks

If you are up to trying this, I would be tempted to wedge in a wide & stiff putty knife between the door and the frame and try to spread the gap a tad bit.  But be sure not to deform anything.  The wider the putty knife, the better you will distribute the forces that deform.

We had a similar problem a couple of years ago. Here is a link to our original post:

https://forum.phoenixusarv.com/index.php?topic=2795.msg22926#msg22926

It has been 18 months since we installed it and it has worked great with constant use for 4 months in the winter and we still have not needed to change batteries.  We really like the convenience of no keys.

Let me know if you need any additional information.

Barry

We've had it happen twice.   The latch bolt itself breaks (the part that holds the door closed).

The only temporary fix is to remove the inside plate, push the outside plate out, the latch bolt will fall out.  Then ignore the bolt (leave detached), reassemble the the two plates and use the deadlock to open/close the door.

The factory can ship you a whole new assembly ($95 +) as you can't get individual pieces.

The reason for the problem is the latch bolts are just pot metal and easily break.

Quote from: catsaplenty on October 22, 2018, 08:24:43 am

Thanks Dave, I will look again.  I found the piece yesterday that the latch engages but manipulating that didn't do anything.  I was afraid to try removing the whole thing for fear I couldn't get it back in. 

Ron, I know what you mean with that assembly.  I have had the plate wiggle loose before - usually the door won't latch right and then I know to tighten it.  At this point I haven't figured out how to get to it without getting the door open, but I will keep working at it.

Thanks

If you are up to trying this, I would be tempted to wedge in a wide & stiff putty knife between the door and the frame and try to spread the gap a tad bit.  But be sure not to deform anything.  The wider the putty knife, the better you will distribute the forces that deform.

There's no need to wedge anything... Remove the 3 screws holding the latch mechanism in place, pull inside plate, push outside plate off from the inside.

The broken latch bolt will fall out (or you can pull it out).  Then reassemble the mechanism leaving the broken latch out. And use the deadbolt to lock closed.    You can then open and close by using the deadbolt.

Thanks to all.  I will try to knock out the handle.  I am headed for Nov in Myrtle Beach and believe there are some good shops there who can help get the recommended keyless model installed right for me.  Hope to have the check valve done there as well as the since-purchase leaks that PC has failed to fix with multiple tries.

Quote from: Ron Dittmer on October 22, 2018, 08:32:25 am

Quote from: catsaplenty on October 22, 2018, 08:24:43 am

Thanks Dave, I will look again.  I found the piece yesterday that the latch engages but manipulating that didn't do anything.  I was afraid to try removing the whole thing for fear I couldn't get it back in. 

Ron, I know what you mean with that assembly.  I have had the plate wiggle loose before - usually the door won't latch right and then I know to tighten it.  At this point I haven't figured out how to get to it without getting the door open, but I will keep working at it.

Thanks

If you are up to trying this, I would be tempted to wedge in a wide & stiff putty knife between the door and the frame and try to spread the gap a tad bit.  But be sure not to deform anything.  The wider the putty knife, the better you will distribute the forces that deform.

There's no need to wedge anything... Remove the 3 screws holding the latch mechanism in place, pull inside plate, push outside plate off from the inside.

The broken latch bolt will fall out (or you can pull it out).  Then reassemble the mechanism leaving the broken latch out. And use the deadbolt to lock closed.    You can then open and close by using the deadbolt.

What you suggest makes perfect sense, assuming something broke.  I had assumed something is out of slight alignment or the latch plate loosened up.  Doing as you suggest should determine if something broke, maybe even open the door.....good advise!

Dave is having a replacement sent to me at no charge - much more than I expected.  In theory I can change out the unit myself since no filing and adjusting would be necessary.  Learning more as I go. And credit when due to PC.

Happy to hear a positive resolution. I purchased a used 2012 model 3100 in 2015. The PC factory has treated me like a member of the family. Always responsive and caring to my needs and wants. A good company!