Well, it happens on the later latches as well. Now, please explain how to
get the latch out. I removed all the handles and screws and can find no way
to get it out of the door.

At 05:30 PM 08/25/2003, you wrote:

>Sorry, it is broken. The little black knob is supposed to stay up by
>itself. The 80-84 models are prone to this failure. A tiny spring breaks
>and then the little black knob won't stay up and the door locks itself
>every time you close it. The whole latch assembly is riveted together so
>I don't know how to fix it. I buy working ones at the junkyard and
>replace them. The later models don't seem to fail this way but they
>won't fit the early door.