I just bought my first Cobalt today. It's a 2006 SS/SC with 50k miles on it.

Problem is, I went to shut my driver's side door and it wouldn't catch. Pressed a little harder and it caught, but now it won't open.

Outside and inside latch both have no weight to them.

I bought this from a private owner and test drove the car two days and was perfect then.
Since I payed off the car in cash, the previous owner probably doesn't give two ***** anymore and I'm not sure what to do.

How do I go about fixing this?

 

Take the door panel off the rod that works the latch probably fell off,think its quite common.
Or the door isnt unlocking due to the same reason.

 

Wouldn't taking the door panel off be pretty hard with the door closed?

 

There would be no other way to access the door latch mechanisms,other people on here have done it from what Ive read.
I cant think of any other way in ,if it cant come off aleast try to get it out far enough to get at the
Rod or latch to maybe get the door open.

 

common problem with Cobalts

 

this happens to my balt time to time. i kinda just chill there unlocking and locking until i hear a click. and it opens. it always happens when im alone which is a good thing. cause most the time im out and about doing whatever haha.

 

Can't you climb in through the trunk? The latches for the seats are in the trunk so you shouldn't have any problem getting the rear seats to go down.

 

I'll have to try, I suppose.

That puts my mind at ease, hah.

I'll try this before I try taking off the panel.

My passenger door works. Obviously, it'd be optimal for both doors to work, and not even have to think about climbing through the trunk just to get in my car.

 

I know I'm doubling post, but I'd just like to inform 06SS ALL DAY that he fixed my problem.
Just sat in it locking and unlocking it for a minute, and I heard the "click" and it opened!

Thanks a bunch.

 

happens to me time to time, just wait it out and keep unlocking/ locking it

 

Sound then like the auto locking mechanism is sticking ,maybe you should get in there and take alook at it or replace it before it happens again and you can't get it open.
At least lube the latch up and all moving part im the door!

Found some info for you
Door Latch Diagnostic Procedure

• The door will not open from the inside or outside handle.
• The door will not unlock with the key fob or electrical switch on the interior door trim.
• The door will not unlock with the inside lock knob.
• The door will not unlock with the key cylinder.

The primary cause of these symptoms is a condition called "preload," resulting from incorrect attachment of the outside handle rod to the latch. If the outside handle release lever on the latch is not in the full up position when the rod is attached by the clip on the latch, the latch will not operate correctly.

Another condition causing latch malfunction, especially lock/unlock, is caused by high effort on the inside lock knob. Resistance to the travel of the lock knob may cause the latch not to unlock.

A third condition causing malfunction is the improper or incomplete attachment of the outside handle rod and inside handle rod/cable. If the outside handle rod clip is not completely secured, the clip can come unlatched and the outside handle will not function.

1 Remove the door trim while maintaining the inside handle cable attachment. DO NOT LET THE TRIM PAD HANG FROM THE HANDLE CABLE OR THE WIRE HARNESS.
2 Inspect the connections of the inside handle cable to the inside handle and latch. Assure that the cable is not kinked and that the lever on the latch moves when the inside handle is actuated. If the condition persists at this point, disconnect the inside handle cable from the handle and set aside the trim.
3 Verify that the key cylinder rod is attached to the key cylinder pawl and the latch. Reattach as required.
4 Verify that the outside handle rod is present, properly attached to the handle and is the correct part.
5 Unlatch the clip holding the outside handle rod to the latch. Make sure the outside handle rod lever on the latch is in the full up position and hard against stop on the latch. While maintaining this lever position, re-attach the rod using the clip. Pull on the bottom of the rod fore/aft and cross-car to assure secure attachment.
6 Verify that the electrical connector to the latch is fully seated. Remove and inspect for corrosion and electrical output when actuating the electrical switch on the door trim. If power is lacking, perform electrical diagnostics. Reconnect and assure that the connector is fully seated.
7 Unbolt the latch and remove the latch from the door cavity with the electrical connector still attached. Function the power locks using the switch on the door trim (reattach the switch module to the electrical harness.) Verify that the lock/unlock lever shows full travel (refer to the green arrow in the picture above). If the latch properly functions (DO NOT replace latch), properly reassemble in order to correct the bind/attachment issue.
8 If all the above steps have been completed and the latch still does not function correctly, replace the latch.

 

Definitely going to keep that information handy. Thanks a lot.