<p>A door lock for an automobile includes a wall facing a column which supports a pawl for detenting a rotary latch, a coil spring which is placed around the column. One end of the coil spring is supported by a first supporting portion of a housing. The other end of the coil spring is supported by a second supporting portion of a wall and is connected to the pawl. The column includes a connecting portion which projects from the column to limit movement of the coil spring.</p>
