Car wont lock from outside with key, only inside?!

[Cedrock15]

Hey guys ever since I got the car a few months ago I was never able to lock my car from the outside, only by locking it from the inside then holding handle up and closing door. Havent minded this until the past few weeks its been harder and harder to unlock the door with the key now. Its hard to turn and sometimes i fear its going to snap, same thing for pass door and trunk. Any quick/easy ideas on what it may be that I should look at? Im also going to mention that when i got the car it came with 2 keys a fatter and skinnier one. The fat one only starts the car, and the skinny one only opens the door (ignition frame around it was/is broken, which indiates either ignition swap or someone tried stealing it) Thanks and any help or suggestions, are good!

 

[InvisibleMonkey]

dude! exact same thing here, but my key won't open the hatch

 

[Cedrock15]

lol mine didnt either, so I got it copied and was willing to turn till the damn thing broke. Turned pretty hard and it barely opened only did it one other time out of fear of it breaking off. No fix?

 

[GrimJack]

Likely this is just a worn lock cylinder. Does it work ok in the passenger side? If so, it's the lock. If no, it's the key.

 

[Cedrock15]

Nope can lock for either door outside. I can only unlock from the drivers side, dont think I tried unlocking from the passenger side, but know I tried, and couldnt lock from that door either.

 

[chevyeater]

I disassembled and lubricated all of my lock cylinders with graphite lubricant. They work like butter now. They need to be disassembled instead of just sprayed so that the graphite doesn't contaminate the theft deterrent sensor on the back of the cylinder.

 

[GrimJack]

Yup, sounds like your lock cylinders are in dire need of service.

My suggestion: Buy an alarm with remote door locks, and to hell with 'em.

 

[CPT Furious]

I've had some issues with my old 85 MR2 and I sprayed the locks with lubricant and they worked like brand new after that!

 

[mkiiSupraMan18]

I just dipped my keys into some synthetic oil and put 'em in and pulled 'em out a few times..... they're working really good now.

 

[Jasper]

Yeah, I got the same thing, my car wont lock less I hold up the handle aswell. My drivers side wont even unlock from the outside anymore, so dont feel bad. I always just unlock from the passenger side So dont feel bad, ur not alone!

 

[Cedrock15]

Yup, sounds like your lock cylinders are in dire need of service.

My suggestion: Buy an alarm with remote door locks, and to hell with 'em.

Cool planned on doing that after i figured this out, so the alarm with remote lock/unlock wont require me to fix this then?

 

[chevyeater]

Cool planned on doing that after i figured this out, so the alarm with remote lock/unlock wont require me to fix this then?

Unless it takes a dump and you actually need to unlock the thing with the key again.

 

[mrnickleye]

I've always made this a part of an oil change (with all 50 of the cars and trucks I've owned). I walk around the car and spray some silicone into all the locks, put the key in and turn it a few times (to work in the silicone). Ignition too. They always work fine.

I also spray the latches and hinges.

I've tried different sprays, and found Prestone (yellow can, Wallyworld) to work the best. It is clear, and watery, and dries quickly.