15 Shocking Facts About Door Lock Car Repair

How to Troubleshoot Door Lock Problems Before Calling a Mechanic You can use lockspicks or a key opener to aid. You can also spray penetrating oil or linseed oil into the lock to lubricate it and get it moving freely again. It is best to leave it to a certified, licensed locksmith. Here are four typical car door lock problems that they'll fix for you: Power door locks don't work Power door locks offer great convenience, but they add a lot of more complicated mechanisms to the vehicle. That means that there are plenty of possibilities for things to go wrong, too. If your door lock actuator doesn't work it could be a major issue that requires expert assistance. Before calling an expert try some simple troubleshooting techniques. The first thing to check is the battery in your key fob. If it's dead or nearly dead, that will obviously result in the locks not to work. Replacing the battery is a relatively simple and inexpensive solution to this issue. A defective power actuator could be a problem. This is a common problem that is generally simple to determine. You can utilize a digital multimeter determine if the actuator is receiving power or not. If power is present, but the actuator doesn't respond when you press the door lock button then it may be time to replace the actuator. You could also try to clean the contacts of the door lock actuator. This is more involved than simply cleaning switches, but it's often enough to resolve the issue. To do this, you'll need to remove the actuator from the door panel and take it apart. Unscrew the bolts holding the exterior part of the lock body and remove the entire lock actuator face. Once you've removed the actuator, you must be cautious not to break the rod that connects it to the lock mechanism. There are typically two bolts on the inside of the door that hold the rod in place so be sure to unscrew those also. After the rod has been removed, you can open the door and inspect the latch to make sure it is properly aligned with the locking post. If not, you can put a long, thin item between the lock and the door panel. This should release any locking mechanism and you can open your door manually. lock and key repair near me fob isn't working. It can be a hassle when your car's key fob doesn't work. There are several things you can do to make it work again. First, try changing the battery. This is a simple procedure that could save you the cost of having to replace the entire fob. There are a lot of helpful YouTube videos that will show you how to accomplish this in just a few simple steps. If this doesn't work, you may have to re-program the fob. In the majority of cases, this can be done by an expert. It can be complicated, as many newer cars have security features that need to be properly configured. The fob could also be damaged. The cause of damage can be various reasons, such as physical force, water or scratches on the circuit board. Most of the time, the damage is not obvious and can only be detected by opening the fob to inspect inside. You can check for these issues by looking at the fob for indications of damage, like cracks on the circuit board, teeny electronic components that aren't fully connected to the circuit board, or loose buttons. You can also open the fob to remove the battery and take a more detailed look. With a flathead screwdriver you can typically break open most fobs and gain access to the battery, however some require specialized tools or equipment only available at the dealership for your vehicle. You could also try using the physical key to open the doors of your car in the event that the fob isn't working. If the physical key isn't able to unlock your car, it might be time to contact an locksmith or go to an authorized service center for more extensive repair. If your key fob doesn't turn on or turn your car on It could be due to a malfunctioning ignition cylinder. This is a very costly fix and should be left to experts. If the key fob works fine with the door locks it should be possible to start the vehicle through the inductive backup system. The lock is jammed If your lock won't turn even when you try to insert the key, there is likely something jamming the mechanism. It could be as straightforward as the tumblers getting clogged by rust or dirt, or that the pins are stuck in a partially raised position. The first thing to do is to lubricate the lock mechanism. Spray a dry lubricant, like RP7 aerosol or graphite, into the keyway. Inject the key a couple of times to loosen any debris that has accumulated in the lock cylinder. This will also lubricate and protect the mechanism. You can also employ brake cleaner to lubricate parts of the lock cylinder and to get rid of any grime and rust that may be blocking the tumblers. You can purchase brake cleaning fluid from most auto stores or home improvement stores. Just be sure to not make use of oil-based products like WD-40 as they will cause clogging of the mechanism over time. The door frame may have moved due to temperature or weather changes. This can cause the latch or deadbolt on the door to no longer align with the hole in the frame of the door. It is easy to fix this issue by simply tightening the hinges on the door and replacing any broken or loosened screws. It is always an excellent idea to examine the condition of your door locks regularly. This will stop them from getting jammed or broken and help you avoid the time and expense of calling a locksmith assistance. If you notice that you've locked your car or have a broken door lock do not hesitate to contact your trusted local mechanic to seek assistance and advice. They will be able diagnose the problem quickly and recommend the best course. They'll be glad to assist you, whether you require an immediate fix for your power doors or having a more serious issue. The lock is stuck Locks stuck in the middle can be quite frustrating However, they are usually an inevitable part of owning a car. You'll want to address the issue as soon as possible, before it gets worse. There are couple of quick and simple fixes that can help to get out of this sticky situation. Begin by inspecting the lock and determining what's blocking it from working effectively. Sometimes, a foreign object could be stuck in the lock or a screw has become loose. You can fix either of these problems by cleaning the lock or tightening the screws. You could also attempt to straighten or fix the balls in your lock, if they're damaged or have become warped from prolonged use. A damaged lock could be the cause of a locked that is jammed. It will not respond to moving the knob. If your lock has stopped turning when you turn the knob, it's time to replace it. Also make sure it is keyed correctly with your other doors. If your lock is truly stuck, and no amount of wriggling, or spraying with lubricant seems to solve the issue, you'll need to contact a professional locksmith for help. They have the expertise and tools to safely remove the lock that is stuck without causing damage to your car or door. Sometimes, the lock cylinder is broken. This could happen if the lock has been forced to open in the past or in the event of a problem with the lock itself that wasn't repaired or replaced. It is recommended to inspect your cylinder frequently for signs of corrosion or wear and replace it if necessary. This will ensure that your vehicle is as secure as it is. If the lock cylinder is damaged or broken it could create a risk of serious danger for you and your passengers. So be sure to have any damaged cylinders repaired as soon as possible.