Stuck driver door lock. Suggestions?

[Klutch9]

So the driver door lock on my Sedona is jammed. The van still locks/unlocks perfect from the fob and from inside the vehicle. But the actual lock from the outside will not turn. the key slides in nicely, and I puffed some graphite powder inside, but to no avail. Ive also tried tapping on the face of the lock with a tack hammer. any suggestions? Maybe blast some brake parts cleaner in there? The van still has the bumper to bumper warranty, but I'd assume that the lock is a wear item and not covered.

 

[Falken]

Your bumper to bumper would most likely cover this non-wear item.

If not, I would spray WD-40 in there and see if it unseizes.

I can't recommend any other product for a door lock in this situation than WD-40.

I always worry about exterior car locks as I have no fob on my car. If they freeze up in the Winter I am in trouble when I am headed off to work.

That is why I regularly spray WD-40 or some PTFE lube into the locks so they always work.

 

[The_Eric]

Spray lube and compressed air. Repeat... Insert key and rap on it while twisting. Also run it back and forth (in and out) through the lock tumblers as well. It'll free up.

 

[Rand]

should be covered.. locks arent considered a wear item..
tires brakes suspension.. etc is.

 

[Klutch9]

Originally Posted By: The_Eric
Spray lube and compressed air. Repeat... Insert key and rap on it while twisting. Also run it back and forth (in and out) through the lock tumblers as well. It'll free up.


I hope so. car is only 4 1/2 years old.

 

[outdoorsman310]

you could try pulling on the handle repeatedly while trying to turn the key. it worked on a hyundai that the lock did not work on at all.

 

[outdoorsman310]

you could try pulling on the handle repeatedly while trying to turn the key. it worked on a hyundai that came to work

 

[JHZR2]

Will a warranty cover this? Happened on my BMW after about 15 years... 4 is too early.

Mine ended up breaking on a pot metal piece and fell into the door. It's probably lack of lube on one of the connecting rods that goes some funny angle and gets jammed. Opening it up is the only solution. An actuator has more torque than a turning key. Actuators can also get stiff.

 

[c502cid]

AutoRX or MMO. Cures all

 

[Rick in PA]

I assume you tried turning the key while inserting-removing it? It could be the key is going too far into the lock, overrunning the tumblers.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I had this happen on my Taurus once in the winter. The problem was the power lock actuator was bad also, so I couldn't get into the car.

Out of options on a really cold day, I got some rubbing alcohol, sprayed it in the lock cylinder and lit it on fire.

Looking back, that probably was NOT a smart thing to do ... but it did work.

I also had a problem with the latch getting stuck "open" on cold day. The solution also was to dump rubbing alcohol in the door and light it.

 

[dishdude]

The problem is no one uses the key anymore, so the lock gets gunked up from debris. WD40 should fix it.