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Locks frozen shut!!!!!!!

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Heating the key won't do much good. He can already insert the key, but the tumbler is frozen to the inside of the lock casing.
 
I had a similar problem this morning. Finally after getting the doors open I found out that I couldn't close them! The latch mechanism was stuck and wouldn't move into the close position. After a few shots of WD-40, a few choice words and messing with the inside and outside door handles I was able to get things working. I was just about to the point where I was going to say to hell with it and go back to bed. A hot bucket of water should do the trick.

I noticed your from Muskegon, Mi. I'm in Grand Rapids, Mi so I know what your going thru. Good luck.
 
Originally posted by: badmouse
Use match or lighter to heat key. That got me through a lot of wacky below-zero Ohio mornings.
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I was trying to light my lighter to heat the key, then I remembered all the WD40 I just sprayed all over everything... BOOM, or firrrre.
 
Originally posted by: mobobuff
Heating the key won't do much good. He can already insert the key, but the tumbler is frozen to the inside of the lock casing.
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Yeah, that's the problem... Can I bust the tumbler by wrenching on it? I've busted the handles on this car before... very leary..
 
Originally posted by: mcvickj
I had a similar problem this morning. Finally after getting the doors open I found out that I couldn't close them! The latch mechanism was stuck and wouldn't move into the close position. After a few shots of WD-40, a few choice words and messing with the inside and outside door handles I was able to get things working. I was just about to the point where I was going to say to hell with it and go back to bed. A hot bucket of water should do the trick.

I noticed your from Muskegon, Mi. I'm in Grand Rapids, Mi so I know what your going thru. Good luck.
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Yes! M!ch!gan! Yeah, I'm about to say hell with it. I'm very scared to pour water in there... I see it freezing and busting something. Plus I don't have a turkey baster, so I'd have to roll a funnel out of tin foil. That'd look like craziness
 
does the passenger side also have a lock? if not, drop your pants and relieve yourself on the side. dont worry, the smell will eventually go away.
 
Originally posted by: mobobuff
Heating the key won't do much good. He can already insert the key, but the tumbler is frozen to the inside of the lock casing.
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He can put the key in and heat the handle (the part that sticks out) if it isn't coated with plastic.
 
Originally posted by: aircooled
hair dryer or heat gun..... do you have an electric heater??? grab an extension cord and heat he lock area..
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my roomate probably has a blowdryer, although now I've only got one 50 minute class left and the roomie's not home... plus I'm tired of freezin my flanges off... I think I'll have a drink.
 
I would recommend trying a bottle of Heet (The yellow gas additive) try pouring the bottle into a spray container and squirt some into the key hole.
 
Originally posted by: FrequencyX
I would recommend trying a bottle of Heet (The yellow gas additive) try pouring the bottle into a spray container and squirt some into the key hole.
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lol, just do the same thing only with rubbing alcohol.
 
Originally posted by: Zanix
Originally posted by: DaWhim
time for a keyless entry?
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Anyone ever had the tumblers freeze w/keyless?
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As far as I know, keyless entry systems don't actually turn the tumblers in the lock, they just trigger the solenoid to lock/unlock the door.

JW
 
Originally posted by: JW310
Originally posted by: Zanix
Originally posted by: DaWhim
time for a keyless entry?
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Anyone ever had the tumblers freeze w/keyless?
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As far as I know, keyless entry systems don't actually turn the tumblers in the lock, they just trigger the solenoid to lock/unlock the door.

JW
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Ach wie doof... yeah, two seconds of thought would have brought me to that one I think.
 
Pouring hot water won't shatter anything. The past three winters up here in NH, when I'm leaving work in the morning , I get a big pot of boiling water form the coffee machine in banquets and pour it right over my windshield. I have a couple dings on my windshield that could easily spider, but they haven't in three years of doing this. I've even done it when it was about -5F out...no problems.

The water is so warm in comparison to the outside air, it steams off almost immediately, and I just wipe the rest of with a cloth before it gets cold again.

I haven't used a scraper in like three years. 😉
 
Originally posted by: Ausm
I used to heat my key up with a lighter and stick it in...it will work eventually.

Ausm
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Even if the tumblers are frozen to the mechanism, or whatever, the warm key will get it moving eventually.

 
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