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Frozen Door Locks

BIGSLVRXJ

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Des Moines, Iowa
Well, we hit our first cold snap the last couple days here in Iowa.I went out this morning to start the Heep and the doors seemed to open okay, but I had left them unlocked overnight. Well when I got to school I had to lock them while I went in for morning classes since I have a sorta expensive stereo, etc. Anyway when I came back out I was able to unlock the passenger side with a key but the drivers side lock would not budge. I had to Dukes of Hazzard it over the console into the driver's seat. Once the car got warm I was able to unlock it from the inside. Anyway I went back in for afternoon classes and when I came out after school my passenger lock cylinder was frozen, I put the key in and nothin. Is there any way to cure either the lock cylinder or just the locks in general problem? Like I said once they're unlocked the doors open up fine. I understand everyone has a problem with them in the winter but it just seems excessively bad on my Jeep. TIA for any help.
Collin
 
get yourself some deicing fluid, it comes in a little aerosol can. It melts the water in there. Then I just squirt WD-40 in throgh the key opening, and work the key a few times. I had an escort that all the door locks would freeze on a regular basis. During the winter months this was a monthly event to keep water out of the lock cylinders. Maybe you'll be a bit more lucky.
 
wait 'til the latch freezes and you can't shut the door. you can also you a can of Heet winsdhield deicer for the latch assy. it will rach way in side where the lock deicer can't ...keep both on hand.
 
Coat your key with some petrolum jelly aka vaseline, and stick it in and out of the cylinder. Do that a few times on all outside locks. Repeat every couple of weeks. The vaseline repels moisture and water, that way it cant freeze. Put some on your finger and rub it in. Put it under the faucet and you will see what I am talkin about.
 
dizzymac said:
wait 'til the latch freezes and you can't shut the door. you can also you a can of Heet winsdhield deicer for the latch assy. it will rach way in side where the lock deicer can't ...keep both on hand.
that's a new trick, freezing so it doesn't shut. Sounds like I'll be putting some of that in the Jeeps toolbox.
 
Also if you spray "Pledge" furniture polish on your weather striping , the doors won't freeze shut. It comes in the pump spray bottle.
 
XJjeepLess said:
Coat your key with some petrolum jelly aka vaseline, and stick it in and out of the cylinder. Do that a few times on all outside locks. Repeat every couple of weeks. The vaseline repels moisture and water, that way it cant freeze. Put some on your finger and rub it in. Put it under the faucet and you will see what I am talkin about.
Don't use any kind of "wet" grease in your locks. all the dirt and crap will stick to the vaseline and eventually screw things up. to lube locks, use graphite. a #2 pencil rubbed up and down both sides of the key until it's nicely coated works, slide in and out a few times, repeat. if you use a de icer, make sure it's mostly alcohol, something that will evaporate.


as to the freezing problem- keyless entry is a great thing (unless it's so cold the battery don't have no juice.)
 
Winter prep tips:
Procure a can of graphite spray in the little blue and yellow can as well as a can of spray silicone, spray every door seal with silicone spray, do this 2x. Put the little tube on the spray lube, it's called "lock ease" and shoot it in every doors keyhole. Do this weekly for a few weeks. Lube the locking mechanism and the door pin with grease, normal axle grease works fine. Spray the door hinges with a good petroleum lube, I use royal purple or Mobil-1 spray.
 
Thanks for all the replies guys I think I'll probably try to mix and match a few of those tricks. If anyone has any other techniques please post 'em up, I'm willing to try anything.
 
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