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?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 9,663
Likes: 1,682
From: Fort Worth Texas
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C8 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (stock)
2019 C7 of Year Winner (stock)
Former Moderator
Cruise-In I-II-III Veteran
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
Likes: 0
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.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 34
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.
