Topic: Doors Won't Unlock

[Dan Marino]

Hey Folks,

I'm having difficulty unlocking my full steel doors with the key.  We've had a recent bout of cold weather here and I washed my Jeep over the weekend.  Now yesterday and this morning the doors do not unlock using the key from the outside.  What do I need to do to fix this?  I'm guessing I need to pop the inside door panel off and lubricate some mechanism?

Thanks,

13
(By the way I hate Joe Montana.  That guy kicked my butt in the Super Bowl)

[Jesse-James]

One you get the panel off, it will be apparent what needs some juice. Stay away from WD-40 or eqivelant because it evaporates fairly quickly. I like white lithium grease, but as long as it gets the job done use whatever.

[Jeffy]

Take the card/panel off the door.  There is a metal panel by the striker and has some screws.  Take those off and it should expose the innards of the door.  You might need to adjust the rod a bit.  I know the arm on the lock itself has some play to it also.

My driver door likes to lock my out when it gets cold too!

[lanulos89]

same i just saturated it with wd 40 tho oh well seems to be working

[Jeffy]

same i just saturated it with wd 40 tho oh well seems to be working

WD40 works but it doesn't work forever.  WD stands for Water Displacement.  It's not really designed to be a long term lubricant.  Although some CLP Break Free would work.

[jeepheap]

this is an old thread but wanted to put my 2 cents in.... DON'T ever put graphite in any lock or locking set that is going to be out in the weather. graphite is a metal shaving that can and will rust. and if you put a whole lot in a little space that gets moisture.... well dont say i dint tell you.

the only thing i learned in the two weeks i worked with a lock smith in high school. well that and how to drill out a lock right. hehe

[GreenBayjeeper]

Knowing that this is old, I too wanted to add my $0.02 worth.

My locks froze up after washing the other month... Probably when this was new...  And I just put the key in with the door in and pulled the handle from the inside a bunch off times, while trying the key and outside handle.  Eventually it loosened up, and has been "not sticky" since then.
Not scientific, but it worked.

[Steve-0]

I will take a stab at this old post. I opened up my door panel and found that the arm from the lock mechanism that has the plastic rod holder isnt being turned enough by the lock. I can lock and unlock it fine from the cab, but the outside lock mechanism is no good. How do I take the ting out and get another one? Or even just swap the rear door one with this one?

[neale_rs]

Take a looks at this:

http://4bangerjp.com/forums/index.php/topic,5811.0.html

[Steve-0]

This was a great work-up! It worked like a charm. I took the c-clip out, popped the lock out and removed the e-clip and the z bracket that has the plastic retainer for that z bar. Took a square chunk of plastic from an empty box from some bolts I bought from the store (perfect thickness) punched a hole in the middle (big enough to go around the biggest diameter and that is just below where the e-clip sits), rounded the edges, put that plast ic piece inbetween the z bracket and the e-clip and put it all back together. Works great. Thanks.

[Jeffy]

This was a great work-up! It worked like a charm. I took the c-clip out, popped the lock out and removed the e-clip and the z bracket that has the plastic retainer for that z bar. Took a square chunk of plastic from an empty box from some bolts I bought from the store (perfect thickness) punched a hole in the middle (big enough to go around the biggest diameter and that is just below where the e-clip sits), rounded the edges, put that plast ic piece inbetween the z bracket and the e-clip and put it all back together. Works great. Thanks.

Glad it worked.  You're the first person to do it, I think.