Problems with unlocking the vehicle are all but common with owners of older vehicles that are still primarily opened with the key. Some causes can be solved with quick maintenance, but for others, you’ll need to swap out some parts. In this guide, we’ll discuss all the reasons why the car door won’t open and the easiest and cheapest ways to fix them.
The most common reasons for stuck car doors are lack of lubrication, freezing, worn or foul lock cylinder & tumblers, or a broken tailpiece (turn piece) of the lock.
It’s important to remember that the door lock is a delicate mechanism with several moving parts that are also exposed to the elements. Locks don’t require much lubrication if any at all, but over time dirt and microscopic rust can hinder the mechanism.
WD-40 is a great way to drive out moisture and clean the lock, but I would recommend that you also use multi-purpose lubricating oil.
The best way to apply the oil is to hold your key flat and pour it into the groove of the key. Insert it into the lock, pull it out and rotate by 180 degrees, then repeat. Use the key to spread the oil, and add a bit more oil if you feel like the opposite side of the lock didn’t get enough lubrication. You don’t want to go overboard with the oil, as the excess will gather dirt and quickly foul the lock.
The one aspect missing from just about every driving school in the world is teaching students about proper car maintenance and care. When the cold weather comes, winter tires are not the only piece of equipment you’ll need. The cold can cause the lock to seize and prevent you from opening the door, but there are a couple of ways to get it thawed.
Lock de-icers are a popular solution for the problem, but if you don’t have one at hand, a plain pocket lighter will do the trick.
Heat up the key with the lighter, then quickly insert it into the lock. repeat the process a few times until you get the lock to open. Keep the flame towards the tip of the key to not melt the plastic or transfer much of the heat towards the base. There’s also no need to get the key red-hot, if it’s too hot to touch, it’s more than capable of heating up the lock.
The best way to keep the lock from freezing over is to use glycerine. Like the lubricating oil, you would put some on the key and spread it through the lock. Interestingly, 100% glycerine freezes at 56oF and becomes more resistant as it’s mixed with water. For the best results, mix in two-thirds glycerine with one-third distilled water, but use the kitchen scale and measure in grams, as glycerin is denser than water.
Door rubber seals can harden from the cold, and even freeze together. If you open the door, you may pull one of the seals off, or cause it to crack. A really simple solution is to dab glycerin on a piece of cloth and wipe it over the seals. It’s a trick I’ve been using for years, and I haven’t had a problem since.
I’m not a locksmith so detailed knowledge of the internal workings of a car door lock is a bit beyond me. However, I know that worn lock tumblers will either prevent the lock from rotating or allow you to unlock the door with just about anything, including a screwdriver. If the lock is turning but the door is not unlocking, this is most likely caused by the broken tailpiece.
When you turn the key, you’re mechanically moving a lever situated at the back of the lock. Through a series of push-pull connections, the lock will open the latch located between the door and the B-column. If one of the components on the way to the door latch fails, you might notice that it’s easier to turn the key than it used to be, and of course, the door won’t unlock.
Fixing the tailpiece is really a job for a locksmith because it involves stripping the door panel. This is one of the most complicated tasks to get right, especially when the window controls and speakers are mounted on the door. I’ve probably experienced a dozen of door-related failures, whether it’s the handle, lock, or tailpiece, and I’ve left the majority for a specialist.
In the case of a broken lock cylinder or tumblers, the key won’t turn at all as the failure will prevent all the tumblers from lining up. There are three challenges you’ll have to overcome to get the lock repaired:
Considering that you have the key, the first step should not be difficult – you can use the fob to unlock the doors, open the lock on the passenger’s side or get into the vehicle through the trunk. If you can’t get into the vehicle using conventional means, then I strongly suggest reading this article as it lists all the alternative ways of accessing your vehicle.
Once you’re in the driver’s seat, you can manually open the door and more importantly, drive the car to a local locksmith. You won’t have to change the keys because they can use your existing key as a template to create the new lock. Alternatively, you can take out the lock yourself by following the steps explained in this article. It’s not an easy job, and you’ll still have to get a new lock designed, or go with a new one and replace the keys.
Sliding the key in and out of the lock for years or decades is eventually going to wear it down and make it unusable. The wear will prevent the tumblers from lining up and the lock won’t rotate. It can also bend, and even snap inside the lock, which is the worst-case scenario.
Some locksmiths can cut copies from a worn key, but you can be certain it’s going to cost more than duplicating a key that is in good condition. If your key is not worn right now – that’s great, as you can take it to a locksmith and have it duplicated. While you’re there, clone the RFID chip and even fob, as cloning is much cheaper than programming from scratch. We’ve covered the topic in more detail in the “How To Start My Car Without a Chip Key FOB?” article.
Most people recommend using a silicone lubricant on the lock, but I prefer multi-purpose lubricating oil because it’s cheaper and just as good. Hold the key flat and pour some oil on it, then insert it into the lock. Work the lock and be patient, and you’ll likely be able to turn it.
We’ve explained the reasons why the physical key might not work, but you’ve still got other options to open the door. You can unlock the passenger’s side door with the key, use the fob remote, or even unlock the vehicle through a phone app.
If your car’s door is not unlocking, go through these steps to identify and correct the issue. It doesn’t take much to keep door locks in good condition – add lubricating oil, dry off the key before inserting it into the lock, and be careful with how you turn the key.
Check out some more related topics:
How To Unlock Steering Wheel Without Key
Why Does My Car Alarm Go Off When Unlocking With Key?
How To Unlock The Chrysler Pacifica Without A Key
