Too cold to unlock?

[Blazer 383]

I currently live in Spokane Valley, Wa. transplanted from sunny So. Cal., it’s 22 degrees here and I just went out to unlock my blazer, and none of the locks work, in fact 2 of the 3, I can’t even get the key in. I’ve never experienced this issue. Thank you, #coldandlockedout

 

[RichLo]

That could be an issue with the wrong kind of grease used on the door components (Or lack of lube).

I usually smear a disgusting level of white lithium grease on the latch mechanism, hinges, etc every fall. I have seen people use axle grease which will get thick in the cold and collect dust and contaminants with time.

You can start with WD40 to remove the moisture since its already freezing up then add white lithium a couple days later.

EDIT, same with the clockspring hood hinges, those usually take a few years before they stop making binding/grinding noises. My Plow truck hinges are smooth as butter now after 10 years of regular greasing every fall.

 

[618 Syndicate]

Heat the key blade with a lighter and see if that helps.

 

[Blazer 383]

Good call. I’ll try that in the morning, too cold now. Thx

 

[df2x4]

Heat the key blade with a lighter and see if that helps.

That trick helped me out of a jam a couple times with my first car ('91 Nissan Maxima).

Also this probably won't help you right now, but for future reference a lot of auto parts and hardware stores will stock little aerosol cans of "Lock De-Icer and Lubricant." Like this:

www.amazon.com/Victor-Lock-Icer-Lubricant-Aerosol/dp/B000AMKU58

I have no idea what's in this stuff, but it works. I keep a couple cans at the house just in case.

 

[Spareparts]

Water in the lock then it froze.
As mentioned heat the key with a lighter, sometimes it takes a couple tries but it will thaw and unlock. Then put the lock deice/lube in it.
Grew up in Spokane. It's a yearly ritual.

 

[454cid]

This reminds me..... I need to spray my locks with silicone. I've got one that is already hard to turn, and I use it daily. I don't need water in there too.

I need to do the door seals too. Unfortunetly, last time I did that I had some crappy brand of silicone spray that bleached the interior plastic whereever it landed. First time I ever had that happen.

 

[AuroraGirl]

This reminds me..... I need to spray my locks with silicone. I've got one that is already hard to turn, and I use it daily. I don't need water in there too.

I need to do the door seals too. Unfortunetly, last time I did that I had some crappy brand of silicone spray that bleached the interior plastic whereever it landed. First time I ever had that happen.

silicone isnt good for locks.

Silicone spray isnt what you should use for door seals either, silicone spray lubricant in the general sense isnt what your manual calls for it calls for silicone grease or paste to be worked into it

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The spray wont do as much as you want it to. it certainly is better than nothing but If you want to really get some new life and protection out of em you gotta go big or go home lol

 

[PlayingWithTBI]

Ages ago (in the 70s) when I lived in Wisconsin, we always used powdered graphite in door locks. Haven't had to mess with it the past 35 years now

 

[thegawd]

that's exactly the only thing that should be used as a lubricant inside locks. graphite lock lubricant.

Also I have a few of those lock de-icer bottles as some of my outbuilding get water or snow blown in that then melts and freezes.... I learned a long time ago that if you need the de-icer and its behind the lock, your screwed! I keep these little bottles in the fridge where I keep my gas tanks. unlocked and accessible.