door locks get slow with cold weather. help.
- Thread starter Clip
- Start date
Clip said:
You could replace the actuators... they're very old, and that kind of thing just happens :\
My passenger side used to do that. I used some general purpose moly on all the joints and guides and it hasn't been a problem since.... now I need to do my driver's side.
^^^ heh, I did that for a while. Then I figured out that with the double pulsed lock signal from my alarm turned on it would lock them all the way even on the worst of days.
It's just a cheat though, removing friction will help the solenoids last longer too.
It's just a cheat though, removing friction will help the solenoids last longer too.
what is moly? My lock is almost 21 years old and just every now and then when I press the lock button the lock goes half way. Also, why does the car make me hold the handle up as I shut the door? It's only the drivers door. Now that I've moved to downtown Atlanta I have to lock it all the time, and my handle is breaking.
Imagination6788 said:
Well, first off, if you're breaking the handle from holding it up when you close it then just lock it with the key.
Moly is a short for molybdenum disulfide, a very popular lubrication for moving metal parts... it's just what I had handy when I was working on my passenger door. Most other types of grease will work fine, but find out the specifics of which ever grease you're thinking about using. Some types dry out, some get very runny with the kind of temps they'd see inside a car door in the summer, and some get VERY thick in cold weather (these will make your problem worse). I had great luck with moly, I suspect that a *GOOD* teflon based grease would work just as well, such as Krytox by DuPont (It's just VERY expensive).
Do keep in mind though that you problem may not just be an issue of friction, but most likely the lock solenoid is wearing out. Lubricating the linkages MAY help extend the life of the solenoid, but it's not a given.
A common problem. Pull the door panels off and lube the lock mechanism. I used lithium grease in a spray can which make it easy to get to all the parts that are tucked into the door corners. You will be amazed at how fast they actuate with new grease! If you are really adventurous remove the lock cylinder and clean that little green courtesy light so you can find the keyhole in the dark again.