Cold and Door Locks
 

Anyone ever had this issue before.

Was heading to work this morning so out to the car I went. Was very cold overnight up here so it was frozen up.

Scraped the windscreens and got in the car.
Drivers side door was frozen so I gave it a quick squirt of antifreeze and it opened up with a bit of a tug to break it free.

So I'm now standing letting the car warm up and letting the demister do its thing when I go to close the door and the door latch will not engage.

I get in the car to stop my fingers dropping off and oh did I make a mistake. Locked the doors to keep the drivers side door shut. All hell then brakes loose. Can't open the door, can't unlock the door electronically then can't lock it when I unlock it manually. All other doors are frozen shut. So now I'm stuck inside the car.

I thought I'll let the engine get up to temp. Pump some hot air around and get things going. Nothing, I sat for about 30 mins.

Only thing that would open was the boot.......... I'm 6ft 6 and let's just say I'm plumper than the average man. I'll let your brains do the rest.

So now I'm stuck with a car I can't get into, that won't lock anyone have any thoughts on what I've done wrong.

Ta!

Shaun

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It will be ok when the temp rises, they don’t like the cold at all, some silicone spray on the door rubbers can help.

Here's a "hot" tip for you Shaun. :D

Trying to warm up an engine from cold in freezing temperatures will (1) take a very long time (as you found out) and (2) increases engine wear considerably. This is why manufacturers recommend that the windows are cleared of ice, the engine started and the car driven away at once. A K series engine under load will reach normal temperature in a matter of minutes; much more quickly than one which is idling.

Cheers,

Simon

I've had it happen where I've put some kit on the rear seat and then the rear door just wouldn't shut because of the cold. Ended up driving to work with the rear doors tied together with a length of rope though the interior grab handles to keep the door (sort-of) closed.

If it happens again and the door will not shut, use one of these on the door lock, latch, not on the door paint or door card, also silicone all door seals frame and the doors did mine first week in December and again Sunday.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154610761...Cclp%3A2047675

I have found that when the door won't close a reset with the central locking button usually works - but it has only happened with the rear doors (so far - 9 years!)

Thanks for all the replays. Drivers door has sorted itself out now so I'll go out at lunchtime with some silicone. Passenger front and rear are doing fine now the ice had melted. Just the rear drivers side to go then I can hopefully get everything lubeld up.

I have just such a hairdryer that I can use. Mrs wanted a Dyson for Christmas so her old one is mine for whatever I choose now 😃

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To my shame I knew this and did it anyway. Was more concerned with getting the doors to close. In hindsight I should have drove around when I was 'locked in'

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I was doing shift work and finished at about half past midnight on a freezing cold night. I couldn't get into the car so I asked the only other person present if there was any de-icer hanging about. There wasn't, but being ex army he had a suggestion. Just p**s in the lock was his suggestion, and it worked very nicely. I imagine the same remedy would have worked in your situation, a good soaking over all visible parts and into every orifice.

My drivers door latch occasionally freezes up such that the door opens but when I get in an close it it bounces open again. When it does this I pour warm (not boiling) water from the kettle down the outer door skin below window level and near to the door edge. As the door skin warms up the heat conducts or radiates into the latch and it starts working properly again. By the time you reach your destination the heat from inside the car ensures the door latches correctly when you leave the car.