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Simple DIY Car Door Lock Repair Car door lock problems can be a hassle and seem like a daunting task to resolve. Most of the time, problems can be fixed with simple DIY fixes. To begin you should spray brake cleaning fluid into the lock cylinder components to remove rust and flush it out or dirt. Then, you should lubricate using white grease for the latch mechanism to keep it from getting stuck or frozen. Signs of a malfunctioning lock If your key is unable to easily turn inside the lock, it is a red flag that it is in need of attention. It could be due to a corrosion pin, worn out lock cylinder spring or even chipped keys with dirt particles inside from being carried in your pocket for prolonged periods of time. If you try to fix the problem yourself, you can cause further damage to the lock and door. It is best to contact a locksmith. If G28 Car Keys but stops latching, this is another indication that the lock mechanism is broken and needs to be replaced. A damaged lock is not just more difficult to open but can also make the door more vulnerable to burglary, so it is crucial to fix the problem in the shortest time possible. A damaged lock could be costly to fix It is recommended to replace the lock entirely instead of attempting to repair it since this could be more costly in the long term. It is important to have the right replacement parts for this process. Check the original manual or contact the manufacturer for the exact part required for your door. This will ensure that you don't end up purchasing parts that are not compatible with your lock, or trying to install components that are not compatible with your lock. Locks can also become stiff and difficult to turn when they age. This can be due to a number of reasons. Fortunately, this is an easy fix by applying some lubrication. Graphite or silicone sprays can be used to lessen friction between the parts and make the lock more comfortable to use. Follow the manufacturer's guidelines when choosing the right lubricant. Certain products can trap dirt and other debris within the lock which makes it difficult to operate. If you notice that your lock cylinder is turning on its own it is likely that someone has tampered the device. This is most likely done to block you from being able access your door. It is therefore important to protect your home. To do this, you will need to access the cylinder set screws. These screws are located beneath the faceplate of your front door. They can be tightened to stop them from becoming loose. Remove the handle for the door's interior or door panel Many cars have an opening panel which controls things like the window and the lock, and this is usually fastened to the vehicle by small bolts and screws. They can be a little difficult to remove, especially in older cars. In general the first thing you need to do is put a screwdriver into the lower part of your control panel, and pull it out. The next step is to remove the handle. To accomplish this, you will require an instrument that is available at larger auto parts stores. One type is more like pliers, which have flat hook-shaped knives. This tool fits into a groove in the inside of the door handle and is pushed into the handle to grasp the C-clip that secures it. After this is done, you can simply remove the handle from its slot. It may be necessary to remove the handle from the car to get to the latch, however it is not always required. The key is to take the procedure slowly and with a steady pace and be careful not to put too much pressure on the clips that hold the handle in place. This step will be much simpler if you have an assistant. It is a good idea to remove all screws visible after removing the handle and the panel. This will allow you to avoid missing any screws that could cause issues in the future. It will also make it much easier to reinstall your door panel. Keep an eye on all screws, bolts and covers that are used to secure the panel to your vehicle. It is recommended to put them in separate, labeled bags to make it easy to locate them when it's time to put the panel back in place. This will spare you a lot of stress and time in the future. Cleaning the Lock Cylinder If the cylinder in the door lock on your car isn't turning, it could be a sign there is rust or an internal problem. Cleaning and lubricating cylinders can help to prevent internal mechanisms from breaking or snapping. First, spray a general purpose cleaner like WD-40 into the lock cylinder. This will clean and lubricate your lock mechanism and make it easier to operate. Spray the entire interior of the lock and cylinder and the latch switch to make sure it is clean and free of debris. Then, you need to lubricate your lock cylinder using a dry lubricant, such as graphite or commercial door lock lubricant. Avoid using liquid lubricants because they attract dust and dirt. If the cylinder hasn't been lubricated it will be more difficult to open and shut the door as the key may stick or break. You can employ a chenille or other long, thin metal tools to disassemble the lock assembly to clean and lubricate the locks. This isn't an easy task because you'll need to take the door panel off, and also remove some other parts like the window crank and possibly some subpanels or covers. Once the assembly is apart Use a rag to clean all surfaces. It's a good idea to clean all the tumblers as well. After the entire assembly has been cleaned, it's time to reinstall it. It is important to place the tumblers and springs back in the proper order to ensure that they are properly aligned when you put them into the cylinder. Install the lock and test it. If the lock doesn't work it could be time to contact a professional for an entire replacement of the cylinder for your car door. They'll give you suggestions on what the problem is and how to fix it. This is a more costly option than replacing the lock assembly. It's still the best way to make sure that your car's door can be opened with only one key. Move the Latch Whenever you operate the outside or inside door handle of your car, the mechanism extends metal rods (or other linkage) that disengage the latch from its anchor. These are usually attached to plastic fasteners which are joined by special adhesives. If a rod made of metal is disconnected from its fastener, or if the plastic fasteners are damaged, this may cause your car to stall in the open position. A professional locksmith can inspect the inner door lock assembly for any issues and reattach any disconnected rods. They also have the tools to remove the door's interior panel and get access to the latch assembly without causing damage to it. This is a job that most people will not be able to do themselves especially when they're running late for work or other obligations. Another common reason that your car doors could become stuck is because the interior latch release cable is disconnected from the actuator. This can happen when the lock has been jimmied or if the door or its parts have been damaged due to an accident or by a strong slam. This problem can be resolved by connecting the rod of the actuator to its actuator with a screwdriver, and turning it in a clockwise direction. This will rotate the latch to its proper orientation and should allow the door to be opened manually from the inside or out. This type of problem is often the result of excessive wear to the bushings that connect the rods that move all these components. If they're worn out it is possible to build up slop that makes the whole mechanism move but not latch or lock correctly. You can check this by pulling both the inner and outer handles and watching for any movement in these moving parts.