Frozen Door lock
11-20-2008, 03:00 PM
#1
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Massachusets
Posts: 2
Frozen Door lock
When the weather goes below 25F, my driver side door lock freezes.
The remote door open works and unlocks the door, however when I try to close the door, the latch does not re-engage. It re-engages once the car gets warm by sitting in the sun or heat on full blast.
Does anyone have a cure?
The dealer says that I need to buy a new lock cylinder - about $350 investment.
Thanks
The remote door open works and unlocks the door, however when I try to close the door, the latch does not re-engage. It re-engages once the car gets warm by sitting in the sun or heat on full blast.
Does anyone have a cure?
The dealer says that I need to buy a new lock cylinder - about $350 investment.
Thanks
11-24-2008, 08:34 AM
#2
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Halifax, NS
Posts: 15
Re: Frozen Door lock
That happened this morning to me with my old Avant. I tried spraying some WD40 around the latch on the door but that didn't do too much. I was getting ready to go to work, actually my local repair guy, holding the door from the inside (at least it was the drivers door) but then it freed up. It is now sitting in the sun, hopefully thawing and drying the inside of the door.
P.S. We had our first real snow, in Halifax, over the weekend and this car is amazing in the snow, slush and ice!! The best vehicle that I have ever driven in these adverse conditions!
P.S. We had our first real snow, in Halifax, over the weekend and this car is amazing in the snow, slush and ice!! The best vehicle that I have ever driven in these adverse conditions!
11-24-2008, 07:51 PM
#3
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Montreal
Posts: 33
Re: Frozen Door lock
Just spray some loose nut or wd-40 in the inner lock (when u open the door) and afterward try to spray some white lithium grease probably just dirt sitting in it dont waste 350$ for nothing lol
11-27-2008, 01:18 PM
#4
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Mississauga, Ontario
Posts: 29
01-18-2009, 02:17 PM
#6
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 43
Re: Frozen Door lock
similar problem...
I just purchased a tip chip from INMotion for my 04 A6 2.7t, so the other day I head to my car to start the removal of the TCU. My car is currently parked outside for winter (in a car cover). As I pulled the car cover up to open the front passenger door it was slightly frozen but easily opened...... Almost finished the removal and happy I get up to take a quick break (it is -25 out). I shut the door... but the door wouldn't click in like if is was frozen open. So I play with the mechanism in the middle of the door with my finger (up and down) and shut it again still nothing. So I leaned on the door and then locked it with my remote. It works the door closed.... but now it won't open! I see and hear the lock trying.... any ideas?
I heated the car up for a good 30 min and still no luck.. This door won't open. The handle feels like I'm pulling on nothing but air. You see the lock pin slightly move (and if its locked it'll pop back up) but you can definitely feel that it is not functioning right. Maybe a guy from a towing company could unlock this with some special tools they have for people who lock themselves out of their vehicles? Please any help would be much appreciated... I got the TCU out but I'm afraid I will be losing sleep due to having a brand new car with a door that won't open... gosh as if it's that easy to screw up a lock!! I did this exact same thing (many times) with my 99 Audi A4 2.8 and as soon as I went to unlock it, it worked.
I just purchased a tip chip from INMotion for my 04 A6 2.7t, so the other day I head to my car to start the removal of the TCU. My car is currently parked outside for winter (in a car cover). As I pulled the car cover up to open the front passenger door it was slightly frozen but easily opened...... Almost finished the removal and happy I get up to take a quick break (it is -25 out). I shut the door... but the door wouldn't click in like if is was frozen open. So I play with the mechanism in the middle of the door with my finger (up and down) and shut it again still nothing. So I leaned on the door and then locked it with my remote. It works the door closed.... but now it won't open! I see and hear the lock trying.... any ideas?
I heated the car up for a good 30 min and still no luck.. This door won't open. The handle feels like I'm pulling on nothing but air. You see the lock pin slightly move (and if its locked it'll pop back up) but you can definitely feel that it is not functioning right. Maybe a guy from a towing company could unlock this with some special tools they have for people who lock themselves out of their vehicles? Please any help would be much appreciated... I got the TCU out but I'm afraid I will be losing sleep due to having a brand new car with a door that won't open... gosh as if it's that easy to screw up a lock!! I did this exact same thing (many times) with my 99 Audi A4 2.8 and as soon as I went to unlock it, it worked.
03-06-2009, 05:12 AM
#7
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Dartmouth,NS
Posts: 3
Re: Frozen Door lock
Put your car in a heated garage overnight. As the folks said above, spray WD 40 inside the locking mechanism. Do not use clear silicon sprays. They may look nicer because there is no apparent risidual mess, but, as I found out the hard way, the spray will act like acid and take paint off the car if not immediately wiped up. Before you spray the WD 40, use a hair dryer on the lock and locking mechanism to move/dry the unit. Then spray. Worked great for me.
Scott.
Scott.
03-08-2009, 10:02 AM
#8
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: Kitchener, Ontario
Posts: 36
Re: Frozen Door lock
I have a similar issue with my 01 a6 4.2 on a regular basis. I wash the car frequently (including through the Canadian winter) and moisture is a problem with the latching sensor within the door.
My understanding is that the moisture can freeze up a sensor within the latch mechanism. It's not mechanical, as most people (including myself) think when the problem first arises. The latch in the door will easily move, but you close the door and it doesn't stay put!
Nonetheless, I'm told that this is a known issue (a bit odd for a car built for the winter?), and the best remedy (that I've heard) is to run the car with the heat on full blast for 10 or 15 minutes. Whatever little part that freezes up will thaw and the door will latch. This has worked every time for me.
As a side note, don't try slamming the door repeatedly... this won't help the situation, and who knows... you could end up breaking something else internally.
I'm a regular reader of this forum, but a first time poster! I've found it to be very resourceful in the past, and I'm going to attempt to contribute more!
Cheers!
My understanding is that the moisture can freeze up a sensor within the latch mechanism. It's not mechanical, as most people (including myself) think when the problem first arises. The latch in the door will easily move, but you close the door and it doesn't stay put!
Nonetheless, I'm told that this is a known issue (a bit odd for a car built for the winter?), and the best remedy (that I've heard) is to run the car with the heat on full blast for 10 or 15 minutes. Whatever little part that freezes up will thaw and the door will latch. This has worked every time for me.
As a side note, don't try slamming the door repeatedly... this won't help the situation, and who knows... you could end up breaking something else internally.
I'm a regular reader of this forum, but a first time poster! I've found it to be very resourceful in the past, and I'm going to attempt to contribute more!
Cheers!
01-24-2011, 11:36 AM
#9
Audi Forum - Posts like an A4
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Toronto
Posts: 111
Re: Frozen Door lock
Hey Guys,
I took the car for a wash yesterday, and as soon as I came out of the car wash I dried out all the excess water, especially in all the doors and opened and closed it a few times.
But I completely forgot the trunk. When I got home, I could hardly open the trunk as the lock seems to be frozen and the lock is now stuck in the pressed position.
I was thinking about pouring some hot water, but that would take me back to Square one.
Any recommendations here ?
I took the car for a wash yesterday, and as soon as I came out of the car wash I dried out all the excess water, especially in all the doors and opened and closed it a few times.
But I completely forgot the trunk. When I got home, I could hardly open the trunk as the lock seems to be frozen and the lock is now stuck in the pressed position.
I was thinking about pouring some hot water, but that would take me back to Square one.
Any recommendations here ?
01-24-2011, 01:26 PM
#10
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Massachusets
Posts: 2
Re: Frozen Door lock
Park your car in the sun. Even on the coldest days this help unfreeze the lock. Or get to a heated garage. The advice above works - once the lock is dry, spray the mechanism with silicon. My locks have been working fine since this advice came through.
