Sluggish power locks when cold?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Sluggish power locks when cold?
Is there anything I can lubricate? I've been having to park outside for the past week or so as our new kitchen island takes shape in the garage. In any case I've noticed that my driver's side door lock seems to be kinda slow when it's real cold out.
When the temps are in the 20's and lower I can hit the unlock button and hear the car unlock. The p assenger side goes pretty quickly but I can usually hear a small delay on the driver's side, kinda a sliding thunk rather than the solid clunk. (real technical huh?) By the time I drive to work with the heater on it has warmed up enough that they both operate quickly and in time with each other. Also if it's 30's and above the difference isn't as pronounced, until it gets so warm that they work perfectly.
It has actually not unlocked the driver's side once and I had to use the key. I know the battery is fine, it has to be something on the lock. Any ideas?
When the temps are in the 20's and lower I can hit the unlock button and hear the car unlock. The p assenger side goes pretty quickly but I can usually hear a small delay on the driver's side, kinda a sliding thunk rather than the solid clunk. (real technical huh?) By the time I drive to work with the heater on it has warmed up enough that they both operate quickly and in time with each other. Also if it's 30's and above the difference isn't as pronounced, until it gets so warm that they work perfectly.
It has actually not unlocked the driver's side once and I had to use the key. I know the battery is fine, it has to be something on the lock. Any ideas?
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Re: Sluggish power locks when cold? (_freakmonkeydogboy_)
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
:withstupid:
I have been meaning to figure this out. Only my passenger side sticks. When I lock the doors, it doesn't lock.
If I find anything, I'll let you all know.
:withstupid:
I have been meaning to figure this out. Only my passenger side sticks. When I lock the doors, it doesn't lock.
If I find anything, I'll let you all know.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 230
From: SANTA CRUZ CA
Re: Sluggish power locks when cold? (Nathan Plemons)
Hey! Nathan, et al, maybe your door latch mechanism lubricant is just temperature sensitive.
It might gel with a "glue" characteristic as the temp drops. You might try applying a low temp lubricant; or placing heat inside the vette (ceramic heater?); or use your key (like 20 million other drivers do in the morning). With a ceramic heater in the vette overnight, you will getting into a nice warm vehicle in the AM, and maybe the latch mechanism will operate smoothly.
:yesnod:
It might gel with a "glue" characteristic as the temp drops. You might try applying a low temp lubricant; or placing heat inside the vette (ceramic heater?); or use your key (like 20 million other drivers do in the morning). With a ceramic heater in the vette overnight, you will getting into a nice warm vehicle in the AM, and maybe the latch mechanism will operate smoothly.
:yesnod:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 855
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Re: Sluggish power locks when cold? (StealDads67)
I don't know if this will cure a cold temp related problem, but my passanger door lock was slow, so I pulled the door panel and sprayed the linkage and mechanism with white lithium grease. It hasn't given me a problem since.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
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Re: Sluggish power locks when cold? (Marcho Polo)
I have been meaning to figure this out. Only my passenger side sticks. When I lock the doors, it doesn't lock.
If I find anything, I'll let you all know.
If I find anything, I'll let you all know.
