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Grand Prix Door lock frozen

gtpeddie

gtpeddie

New member
Whats up guys, lately in this cold weather I been having a problem with the door locks on my car freezing up usually when the temps drop below 25* or when it snows. Its the driver door that is usually the worst. I dont have a key pad and when I put the key in the door and try to turn it it doesnt move, its like its the wrong key its that tight lol. Sometimes I can jiggle the key back and forth and it will turn. So when it freezes up so bad the key wont move I go through the passenger side, and when I hit the unlock switch on the door panel the lock above the door handle on the inside wont even move. Even if I try and unlock it manually from the inside it wont move its so tight. I can eventually get it to move if I keep messing with it I can finally break it free. This only happens when it gets really cold never had this problem in summer, I did have this problem last winter though too. Its like the lock is literally frozen lol. I haven't took the door panel off yet to see if anythings going on or have tried anything to fix it yet, I was just wondering if anyone else has had this problem before and what have you dont to fix it.
 


When you say it breaks loose, after that does it move back and forth just fine? Or did you just finally get it but it's still hard to move?
 
Hmm thats odd, and it's like that on the inside too so it's not a lock issue. You think water could be getting in? If it works fine after that for the day or whatever I'm not sure what could be causing it.
 
Maybe thats possible, I haven't checked it out yet. All my weatherstrips and window seals are good. I was thinking about taking the door panel off and greasing up the lock cylinder. Just been lazy and have to many projects right now lol
 
Yeah if you could get it at a time where it was acting up you'd be able to see. When I had my door panels off I oiled every spot that moved, including in the lock cylinder. It's much easier to move now. If it really is ice thats causing it, oil would fix it since water won't stay on grease/oil.
 


try heating the key with a lighter. then putting it in fast and just hold it to what ever way makes it unlock, dont force it but kinda wait for it to thaw, if it fails on the first try try again.

id have frozen locks on my 03 for 3 days after every time i washed it in the winter, lighter worked all the time.
 
Scottydoggs said:
try heating the key with a lighter. then putting it in fast and just hold it to what ever way makes it unlock, dont force it but kinda wait for it to thaw, if it fails on the first try try again.

id have frozen locks on my 03 for 3 days after every time i washed it in the winter, lighter worked all the time.
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Thanks Ill definitely try this. And get back to you with results!
dsmuts said:
I don't lock my car so i don't have this problem.
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Must be nice lol, I wish I didnt have to lock my doors in my own driveway but my neighborhood isnt the best, cars are always getting broke into and my car stands out pretty good.
 


My old GTP used to do the same thing in sub 20* weather (or below -7*C for those filthy canadians)

Trying to use the remote, you could hear it trying to turn the lock, but just couldn't, so I'd revert to manually unlocking. If that wouldn't get it turned, one quick thump with your hand on the door handle while turning the key always would.
 


My lock cylinder probably has the proportional amount of oil in it that an engine does, why not just do that? Speaking of which I gotta change my key oil lol
 
Don't know about snow or ice freezing up the lock, but every time it rains hard I can't open the driver's door with the remote. It just have enough oomph, and will open only with a key. This problem used to be on the passenger side also until (having to replace the window regulator) I greased all the lock mechanism linkage. It was kind of gummy and sticking. After greasing, never had the problem again. I would grease the driver's side also if I could find the darn plastic retainers for the door panel.
Good luck.
 
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