Improving Your Home Safety

Posted on: 6 October 2021

Car door lock problems can creep up on you at any time. Sometimes the problem is a door that won't lock, and other times, the mechanism will lock you out of your car. After all is said and done, knowing common reasons why auto door locks fail will go a long way to ensuring that you get appropriate repairs. Here are five common car door lock problems and how you can resolve them.

Dead Fob Battery

Modern cars typically have a fob instead of the traditional key. The device is battery-operated. If your fob's batteries die, you can easily replace them and restore the lock and unlocking feature. However, before the battery completely dies, your car will stop responding as efficiently as it did before. Therefore, the best time to check the status of the battery is immediately. Once the fob starts closing and opening the door erratically, it could mean the battery is dying. 

Frozen Lock Mechanism

Car locks freeze shut when water slips inside the locking mechanism and solidifies into icicles. Freezing happens when the temperatures drop below zero degrees. The only way to handle the problem is careful heat application to thaw the ice. You can bring a heating tool such as a hairdryer close to the car lock and thaw out the ice. You can also use a lighter to heat it. Some cars come with de-icing devices and battery-operated keys that heat up and melt the ice, moving the lock from the frozen position. 

Damaged Solenoid

The solenoid is a component of an electrically powered door. This part of the lock detonates the latch so the door can lock and unlock. If one of your doors is stuck, but the others are functional, the problem is probably the solenoid. An automotive locksmith will diagnose the problem. Removing and replacing the solenoid will involve replacing the entire door panel. 

Rusted Locks

Rusting is rare, but it affects countless car doors. Rusted locks stick because the rough parts cannot move smoothly to close and open the door. You can resolve the problem by spraying lubricant down the door closing mechanism. Wait for the entire locking mechanism to become lubricated before retrying to open the door. The door should open with ease when you have allowed it to self-lubricate for about ten minutes. 

Some lock issues are easy to handle on your own. However, others need professionals like certified auto locksmiths. Always have the contacts of a competent auto locksmith close to you for lockout inconveniences. Reach out to a local automotive locksmith to learn more.