Car Door Lock Repairs: What Nobody Has Discussed

Car Door Lock Repairs

The lock on the car's door is an essential part of the vehicle's overall security. If the lock on your car is damaged or isn't working properly, you should have it fixed by an expert.

There are a few car door locks that can be fixed by a professional mechanic for instance, a broken key. The most common problems can be solved by locksmiths.

Wiring Problems

When you push the lock button on your key fob, it sends an electronic signal to a solenoid within the door of your car. The solenoid transforms the electronic signal to a mechanical action which is in this case, moving a rod made of steel, which is used to trigger the turning of a key in a traditional lock. If the solenoid fails it will be difficult to open the door of your car.

The electrical system in your car has an intricate system of wires that runs throughout the exterior and interior of your vehicle, and even the most basic power door locks are made up of a variety of interconnected parts. The electrical connection that relays lock/unlock instructions to the actuator can fail for a variety of reasons.

Fuses are one of the most common electrical problems in vehicles. The door lock's power fuse might have failed to blow. Go through your owner's manual to find a diagram that will help you identify the fuse that is responsible, then replace it and try the door lock again.

The mechanical component of your power door locks is also prone to wear and tear. It is a complex assembly of gears and cables, as well as a motor that can malfunction or get misaligned. The latch itself could be damaged due to physical damage or a failed attempt to jimmy the lock open, or simply the daily use that all automotive components have to endure.

It's good to know that the majority of the issues that occur that arise with your door locks powered by electricity can be fixed without having to take your vehicle to a repair shop. You can identify the issue with a voltmeter, as well as inspect and repair any wiring that may be the cause of the issue. Regularly checking and lubricating the parts of the door lock will help keep them from tearing and wear. If you're still experiencing issues with your power door locks and need help, call a professional assistance. A skilled mechanic will have the necessary tools and expertise to finish the repair in a short time. In many instances, the repair will be covered by your manufacturer warranty. In some cases the damage to your lock could be too severe and you will have to replace the entire door latch mechanism or the actuator.

Stuck Latch

A stuck latch is the most frequent reason behind the failure of a door lock. It happens when the metal latch does not fall into the strike plate's groove properly, causing friction. This could be caused by many factors, such as wood expansion or moisture. You should be able to solve this issue by doing some basic troubleshooting.

Check to see if it's the latch and not the handle or the keyed cylinder. If it is the latch then you can try a couple of different options to fix the issue. Start by putting the latch in the position using a screwdriver. This is easier than using a credit card because the screwdriver is able to fit into the space where the latch is located.

You may also want to try lubricating the latch. You can easily solve this issue using WD-40. You can make use of the straw that comes with the can to spray the lubricant on the latch. You should feel the latch loosen and move around once you have completed this.

If the lubricant doesn't work, you can try using needle-nose pliers and then jiggle the mechanism. This can help to eliminate any rust that's causing the latch to not drop into place properly. If the pliers don't work then you may have to replace the latch entirely.

The latch could also become stuck due to structural damage. Repeated slamming of the door can warp and damage parts of the mechanism, especially the metal connecting rods that control the latch's movement. This could be a cause for concern requiring the assistance of a professional.

Lock Cylinder

The lock cylinder is the place where you insert your keys to open the trunk or door. It's also the place where a lot of wear and tear can occur. If  automobile door locks  experiencing issues with your car's doors not locking it could be because the cylinder is jammed, and needs to be lubricated to fix the problem. To lubricate the cylinder first spray brake cleaner into it to eliminate any dirt or grime. Then, put a thin piece of lubricant such as white grease into the keyhole. You could also make use of WD-40 that is a long, skinny straw in red that you can stick straight into the keyhole. You can also spray a bit more lubricant into the hole and turn the key several times to spread it out and make sure that everything is well-oiled.

Cylinder locks may also be vulnerable to a condition known as "lock snapping." This happens when the notches in your keys wear down, or aren't at the correct size and position to trigger the pin tumblers within the cylinder to move upwards and downwards. This causes a gap between the pins on the upper and lower that stop the cylindrical from moving when you insert it into the door or trunk lock. It could be a major issue, since it means you won't be able to open your vehicle and will need to replace the cylinder.

It's not difficult to fix a seized lock cylinder. There's typically a screw with a flat surface that holds the cylinder in place, and you can loosen it using the help of a screwdriver. After you've removed the screw be sure to store it in a safe place so you don’t lose it. Insert the key, and then change it to either the RUN, ACC or START positions depending on the repair instructions of your vehicle. Once you've done this, take out the key and you'll be in a position to pull the old cylinder from the lock housing.

The most difficult thing about the process of lubricating the lock cylinder is getting it removed from your vehicle. To do this, you'll need to remove the door panel (and perhaps other covers or panels) and then remove the screw that holds the cylinder in place. Then you'll need to use an awl or awl to lift the cylinder out of its housing for the lock.

Lost Keys

It's a terrifying feeling to look in your pocket or purse and discover that your keys aren't there. This is why it's important to have an extra key in your bag at all times, and to store it in a location where you or someone else will be in a position to retrieve it when required. It wasn't that long ago that losing or losing keys to your car was not a big problem. Contacting roadside assistance or an expert locksmith to open your car's doors was not a major issue. The keys for modern vehicles are more expensive as well as more complex.

You can try a couple of different ways to get back in your vehicle once you've locked your keys inside, but be careful because some of them aren't safe. For instance, if you have a pet or child locked in the vehicle with you, do not attempt to break the window to let them out as this is dangerous and can cause further damage to your vehicle. If you don't have a slim jim you shouldn't attempt to pick your car's lock with pliers or screwdrivers because it could cause more damage.

Another way to prevent locking your keys in your car is to have a locksmith create you a spare that will be always accessible. They can install this in a place that you or someone you trust will be able to locate it, and you should keep the spare on hand so that you can quickly access your car if you need to.

In some instances, if you've lost your key and it is a newer model with chipped inside, a professional locksmith might require to unlock your car and rekey the locks or create a new key from scratch. This is a much more complex process that can cost you hundreds of dollars. However, if you can locate a replacement chipped key online, you might be saving money by buying this key and hiring a professional locksmith to install it in your vehicle for you.