Question for you car experts

[calf]

Just want to see what I might get into this week.

My story: I'm going to be taking my car in for it's semi-annual tune up, tire rotation etc in the next couple of days (no big deal). However, tonight I had an incident where the locks wouldn't open for me (on both sides). Like, the key would turn, but not to the extent that the mechanism in the door would unlock them. Fortunately my dad was dropping me off at my car at school after going to the hitmen game so I could stay warm while waiting for the AMA to arrive. My brilliance came in when I realized I could try getting in through the trunk, fold down the seats from in there and crawl inside to unlock/open the door so I wouldn't have to wait 2 hours - and it worked. But I digress...

My question: is this just a function of the frigid temperature as of late? Are my locks totally messed up and need a good fixing? I'm thinking it's the cold because both were messed up. Will it cost a crapload of money to fix if it is, in fact, a problem with the locks?

Thanks for the help!

[Incinerator]

I had the same problem when I was being stupid and rinsed my car couple weeks ago at -20 outside, I live in an apartment so it was fine when I rinsed it in the underground garage, but then I drove it to school and the lock was frozen when I was done for the day, fortunately the passenger door worked so I just unlocked it from there and drove it home, then it warmed up overnight in the parkade and it was fine again next morning.

[calf]

should probably point out (and this was the first question from the AMA people too)...I have not washed my car since about 3 weeks ago.

[Incinerator]

Maybe you could try spraying your key with some WD-40 and insert it? I don't know, you should probably get it looked at by your mechanic though.

[Table 5]

bah, this happens all the time in the winter. get yourself one of those little de-icers (you can get one at Canadian Tire or a gas station), and you spray that into the lock whenever it happens and voila!

[Coolsurfer79]

It is also possible that it is the key. On one Ford Taurus I had it seemed like one of the keys had worn out, so it would only open the door with quite a bit of effort. Had a second key that worked great.

[Incinerator]

Originally posted by Coolsurfer79@Jan 13 2005, 09:27 PM
It is also possible that it is the key. On one Ford Taurus I had it seemed like one of the keys had worn out, so it would only open the door with quite a bit of effort. Had a second key that worked great.

That's true, happened to a friend once, she had to get another key cut by the dealership, costed $150 cuz it was one of those fancy computer chip keys for her Jetta. I still think she got ripped off cuz it was a new car, the key is probably defective, not that she cared anyhoo, rich beetch

[BlackArcher101]

It's the cold. If any snow get's inside, it will melt when the car is warm inside. No need to take it in for repairs, just buy a $3 bottle of Lock Lube & De-icer from Canuck Tire.

Another trick is to warm the key on some part of your body, then try to turn it. Usually works for me.

[Incinerator]

Originally posted by BlackArcher101@Jan 13 2005, 09:36 PM
It's the cold. If any snow get's inside, it will melt when the car is warm inside. No need to take it in for repairs, just buy a $3 bottle of Lock Lube & De-icer from Canuck Tire.

Another trick is to warm the key on some part of your body, then try to turn it. Usually works for me.

Which part of the body?
















Couldn't resist

[BlackArcher101]

Originally posted by Incinerator@Jan 13 2005, 02:41 PM
Which part of the body?

Couldn't resist

I knew that would get a reaction.

I'm going to say whichever is the warmest. The rest is up to your imagination. But don't blame me if the cold key freezes to something.

[Incinerator]

Originally posted by BlackArcher101+Jan 13 2005, 10:04 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (BlackArcher101 @ Jan 13 2005, 10:04 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Incinerator@Jan 13 2005, 02:41 PM
Which part of the body?

Couldn't resist

I knew that would get a reaction.

I'm going to say whichever is the warmest. The rest is up to your imagination. But don't blame me if the cold key freezes to something. [/b][/quote]
ROFL :biglaff: :biglaff:


Good thing this isn't morning coffee time haha...

[FireInTheHole]

Originally posted by BlackArcher101@Jan 13 2005, 03:36 PM
It's the cold. If any snow get's inside, it will melt when the car is warm inside. No need to take it in for repairs, just buy a $3 bottle of Lock Lube & De-icer from Canuck Tire.

Another trick is to warm the key on some part of your body, then try to turn it. Usually works for me.

WD-40 works as well. Just make sure you use the skinny straw tip - or you won't get much in the lock. :P

[calf]

awesome. thanks gents

[BlackArcher101]

Originally posted by calf@Jan 13 2005, 05:32 PM
awesome. thanks gents

Also, a squirt of some teflon lube keeps her nice and slick. And easy to turn.

[ricosuave]

what kind of car is it?

[Josh]

My car has heated door locks, but they aren't super useful here in Oregon

[calf]

Originally posted by ricosuave@Jan 13 2005, 08:12 PM
what kind of car is it?

an '04 Cavalier (calfalier )

I'll be scooting over to Canadian Tire to pick up the lock de-icer real soon. Called the dealer and they said it's most likely just the cold, buy de-icer and it'll be fine. Hopefully everythings a-ok when I take it in on Monday.

[BlackArcher101]

Originally posted by calf@Jan 13 2005, 08:18 PM
I'll be scooting over to Canadian Tire to pick up the lock de-icer real soon.

Another hint... lock de-icer that is stored inside the car is useless.

[calf]

Originally posted by BlackArcher101+Jan 13 2005, 08:22 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (BlackArcher101 @ Jan 13 2005, 08:22 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-calf@Jan 13 2005, 08:18 PM
I'll be scooting over to Canadian Tire to pick up the lock de-icer real soon.

Another hint... lock de-icer that is stored inside the car is useless. [/b][/quote]
already thought about that. thanks though!

[ricosuave]

if youve got some antifreeze around, try dipping the key in and putting in the lock a few times. or if you can use a eyedropper to get a good dose in and then use compressed air to spray it around, that works too.

rico