What causes frozen door locks?

Discussion in 'Other Vehicles' started by 05r50, Feb 13, 2016.

  1. 05r50

    05r50 Well-Known Member

    Dec 4, 2010
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    Seriously.

    My son has a 1st gen Honda CR-V and if it gets good and cold then the door lock cylinder will seize up good and tight.

    The key fob actuators respond but don't have enough power even in warm weather so he has been using the key for some time.

    I am going to lube the cylinder with graphite but I wondering what is the root cause?

    None of our other cars do this.
     
  2. BruceK

    BruceK Active Member

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    Is the little flap that covers the slot where you insert the key staying open and letting moisture in?
     
  3. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    I'd say a combination of cold weather and moisture.....not being facetious here....They make lock de-icers you spray into the cylinder that will both cure this and prevent it happening again. Once it's warm out again you can spray a little WD-40 (water displacer) to keep it lubed and from happening again.
     
  4. 05r50

    05r50 Well-Known Member

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    Yea. Tried all that. Have used propellant deicer and it worked for a while but that is even failing.

    Because it is chronic thing we found a battery operated heat deicer that he used last night. Like a small lighter with a toothpick sized elec element that you slide into the lock set and that worked.

    Everything I've read on locksmith stuff says graphite only on tumblers. That grease or wd40 etc will pull dirt in.

    I haven't pulled the panel off this year but did in the past and no obvious rust etc.

    Starting to think maybe the mechanism has a helper spring that is rusted and failed maybe. Therefore the fob gets no assistance in turning the latch over. The key would be in the same boat and you are putting all the torque onto that key and cylinder.
     
  5. Angib

    Angib New Member

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    WD-40 is the kiss of death if you want to keep water out - sure, it 'displaces' water initially but it does that by sucking water into itself, so it will pull water in even from the atmosphere and that can then freeze.

    I used to run Italian cars through British salt-laden winters, including a 1980s Alfasud flat-four engine with those long plug leads from distributor to spark plugs, so I claim 'expert' status when it comes to keeping water out of things. Every autumn the plug leads came out of the car, were scrubbed in detergent, dried in the oven, put back on the car and sprayed with ignition sealer (which is just lacquer, or hair spray, really) to keep them working.

    Newbies are often told to spray WD-40 on damp ignitions but that creates a bigger problem once the WD-40 has collected moisture and holds it next to the plug leads, so after a day or two, more WD-40 is needed to get the engine to start.

    Of course, another 'cure' is not to buy cars with Italian electrics, though they are a lot better these days.
     
  6. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

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    There was a similar thread on here about a month ago. Perhaps some of the wisdom sent his way might help you. :fingerscrossed:
     
  7. mrntd

    mrntd Well-Known Member
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    In the days before remotes graphite in the lock cured the problem. But from you've said the remote is having trouble popping the lock which may indicate the problem isn't in the lock but in the assorted linkage.

    Unfortunately that means pulling the panel to solve the problem. There are some "dry" lubes out now like the one used for bike chains that don't attract more grime.
     
  8. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    What causes frozen door locks? Freezing Temps :p
     
  9. 05r50

    05r50 Well-Known Member

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    Thanks Dave. Couldn't solve this without you.
     
  10. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    hahahahaha Well its Monday morning :lol::lol::lol::lol:
     
  11. gjxj

    gjxj Member

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    just leave it unlocked.
     
  12. cerenkov

    cerenkov New Member

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    Have you asked the question on a Honda CRV forum? Maybe it's a common issue.
     
  13. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

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    Good thought !!
     
  14. 05r50

    05r50 Well-Known Member

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    Yes. Actually. And yes it is common. They even had a recall for gen 2 year but not the gen1.

    Several possibles from bad actuators or wiring short in the boot between the door and the cabin. Or broken spring.

    But it has been really friggin cold here and I am still layed up with Achilles' tendon surgery so I cannot work on the car right now.

    More of s brand agnostic question of why the freeze. Where would the moisture be coming from and why?

    In his case maybe the window rubber seals are leaking.
     
  15. Goldsmithy

    Goldsmithy MINI Alliance Ambassador
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    05r50--I have no idea...I don't own a Honda. But, I do know it has been cold. Below freezing actually. Maybe this is why it is freezing? I don't know...I am having trouble staying warm myself. Thank God for gin...
     
  16. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

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    Gin will make ya sin, but liquor's quicker! :ihih:
     
  17. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    I thought it was, " candy is dandy but liquor is quicker!":D
     
  18. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

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    It depends how "sinful":ihih: you want to be....
     

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