Door lock issue

[dave`12]

Any help appreciated:

I'm assuming here that the part that mounts to the door jamb of the vehicle, not the door itself, is the striker plate, I may be wrong

My door lock works fine when the door is open. When the door is fully closed, I cannot lock it, i can feel the lever hitting something when I turn the key. If I press the door opening mechanism (the part you push in with your thumb when opening the door), the door can be pulled away from the vehicle an inch or so without fully disengaging from the (striker?).

In this partially open, partially closed position, the door will lock.

I've tried adjusting the striker plate forward and backwards. I've also loosened and wiggled the part on the door that engages it without success. I removed the shims on the striker that move it forward towards the door and back (left and right while facing the vehicle), but that failed as well. I thought I would post and perhaps someone here can help.

Here is a pic of where the door needs to be for it to lock freely.

Thanx