Too cold to unlock?

AuroraGirl · Dec 27, 2021

thegawd said:
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.

nothing a little mapp gas torch couldnt fix or alleviate frustrations(but possibly not fix the problem)

Lol, kidding.
I would personally, if possible, spend the time to bring the vehicle in to something above freezing, get it warmed up. Shoot air in it, also have a vacuum, work the lock while doing this. May need helper. get it cleared out(could also remove from door but thats more work) maybe try a evaporating solvent if you know what you are doing and smarter than me on this stuff, get it clean. then use a PTFE lubricant . Graphite could be used, but if your lock is apt to take on water, sap, or someone spraying something into it, I would use teflon instead.

thinger2 · Dec 27, 2021

Im in Seattle. Unlocked my drivers door just fine today.
It was about 23 degrees or so.
Door was open for about ten minutes while I swapped out the ignition rotor.
Ran the truck for about fifteen minutes.
Drove the truck about a mile to the jar store. ( I ran out of scotch)
Came out of the store and the lock wont turn even with two different keys.
Went too the passenger door, it unlocked but it was frozen shut.
Beat the snot out of it untill it opened.
My drivers side window seal leaked enough that the entire lock is a big block of ice.
That side of the truck got just enough sunlight today to slighly warm up.
I ran it long enough with the door open into the wind to refreeze whatever melted.
I cant even get the door panel off without wrecking it.
I have had problems with other vehicles in really cold weather if they had plastic bushings in the door lock mechanism.
The get brittle with age and when they are really cold the bushings crumble when you turn the key and jam up all of the linkages.
Dont know if that is the case with these trucks.
Tommorrows plan is to take a quartz radiant heater on a stand and aim it at the door lock.
Hopefully ill at least get it too "Slushy Enough" to get the door panel off.
The only upside to this crap weather is that this is the only time that a GMT400 is actually theft proof.
If I cant get into it. Nobody else can either!

smdk2500 · Dec 27, 2021

I read about you guys having frozen locks and doors and think I'm glad Ive never had that issue. Even this February when we had a -20 to -30 week and didn't have a issue. One night it was -47 with wind chill that night sucked donkey balls. Truck wouldn't start the first day or run longer then 5 minutes before gelling the fuel again but I could open and unlock the doors lol.

454cid · Dec 27, 2021

AuroraGirl said:
silicone isnt good for locks.

It seems to work for me well enough. It really helped the ignition lock on my Saturn, and should help keep moisture from freezing in my door locks.
It should not gum up like wd40 would. If I were to try something else, I think I'd use Marvel Mystery oil, or Fluid Film.

AuroraGirl said:
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

The spray is much easier. I'm not going to spend a bunch of time out in the driveway trying to rub silicone grease into weather stripping at this time of year.

AuroraGirl · Dec 28, 2021

454cid said:
It seems to work for me well enough. It really helped the ignition lock on my Saturn, and should help keep moisture from freezing in my door locks.
It should not gum up like wd40 would. If I were to try something else, I think I'd use Marvel Mystery oil, or Fluid Film.

The spray is much easier. I'm not going to spend a bunch of time out in the driveway trying to rub silicone grease into weather stripping at this time of year.

I wouldnt do it this cold that would risk tearing it and it wouldnt go in very cooperatively.

But thats a good thing to use till its warm

AuroraGirl · Dec 28, 2021

thinger2 said:
Im in Seattle. Unlocked my drivers door just fine today.
It was about 23 degrees or so.
Door was open for about ten minutes while I swapped out the ignition rotor.
Ran the truck for about fifteen minutes.
Drove the truck about a mile to the jar store. ( I ran out of scotch)
Came out of the store and the lock wont turn even with two different keys.
Went too the passenger door, it unlocked but it was frozen shut.
Beat the snot out of it untill it opened.
My drivers side window seal leaked enough that the entire lock is a big block of ice.
That side of the truck got just enough sunlight today to slighly warm up.
I ran it long enough with the door open into the wind to refreeze whatever melted.
I cant even get the door panel off without wrecking it.
I have had problems with other vehicles in really cold weather if they had plastic bushings in the door lock mechanism.
The get brittle with age and when they are really cold the bushings crumble when you turn the key and jam up all of the linkages.
Dont know if that is the case with these trucks.
Tommorrows plan is to take a quartz radiant heater on a stand and aim it at the door lock.
Hopefully ill at least get it too "Slushy Enough" to get the door panel off.
The only upside to this crap weather is that this is the only time that a GMT400 is actually theft proof.
If I cant get into it. Nobody else can either!

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Blazer 383 · Dec 28, 2021

I learns my lesson, I am running a small space heater in it while at home. The lighter to heat up the key trick, worked sweet for me. Thanks y’all!

Blazer 383 · Dec 28, 2021

AuroraGirl said:
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Ya gotta love northwest winters!

Cayuse Creek · Jan 2, 2022

My experience with theses trucks is the cold somehow effects the actuator itself. I have tried to lube the connection points over the years to no avail. The only fix I have found is to replace the actuator. Works every time. With new actuators they work no matter how cold.

Too cold to unlock?

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