Quick fix frozen trunk lock

[gregszustak]

Lock was totally immovable due to weather conditions lately.
Didn't feel like making a stand for an electric heater and couldn't find my propane torch.
Used a can of sterno, waving it gently to avoid plastic part damage.
Took about 60 seconds. I'll be keeping the sterno inside the car.

[Sloppyjoec]

I have heated the key with a lighter, thawed the lock and burned my fingers, too!

[mobetta]

i keep a small can of lock de-icer in my coat pocket all winter long.

[punky]

I've been through this for the past 6 winters that I've had my car. I've found it's usually too windy for me to use a lighter if my locks have frozen over night. The good solution would be to buy one of those miniature butane torches and always carry it with you during the winter, but of course I'm not smart enough to do that. Since I already have a regular propane torch with an auto ignite top I use that. Of course I never know when they're going to freeze. So I have to go to the car in the morning, bounce my key off the outside lock because it aint going to go in, swear a couple of times, walk back to the house and get the torch. Fire the torch at the lock for a couple of seconds and Bob's your Uncle. No burning or melting of any plastic so far.

[turbobenz]

spray a little rubbing alcohol into it


I would get a small empty spray bottle like people use for cleaning their eye glasses. Fill it with rubbing alcohol and add a small amount of motor oil. Spraying this into the lock should unfreeze it pretty quick. The alcohol de-ices it and the motor oil lubes the lock (because on its own, alcohol would dissolve the grease, which is bad in a lock).

[funola]

Locks should not have any oil in them. Oil attracts dust. The accumulated crud will make your lock not work one day. That usually happens on a very cold night, when no locksmiths are available.

Originally Posted by turbobenz

spray a little rubbing alcohol into it


I would get a small empty spray bottle like people use for cleaning their eye glasses. Fill it with rubbing alcohol and add a small amount of motor oil. Spraying this into the lock should unfreeze it pretty quick. The alcohol de-ices it and the motor oil lubes the lock (because on its own, alcohol would dissolve the grease, which is bad in a lock).

[mobetta]

I've been using silicon lube- is that good or bad?????

it seems to work well....

[kenstfelix]

i got one of those little de-icer spray bottles at napa and it works great.

[funola]

I think any kind of spray is not a good idea, because of the oil film left behind, attracting dust and forming gunk over time, causing eventual lock failure. It may not cause problems for a long time, and spraying more may help when problem develops. But one day, the spray won't work due to one or more wafer in the tumbler jammed to the point where the spray is ineffective. I think that is what happened to my ignition lock, which has the same tumbler as the door locks. The only lube I would put in the lock is dry graphite. Don't put too much in as it could jam the wafers also. One easy way to lube with graphite without overdoing it is take a #2 lead pencil, rub it on key surfaces, insert in lock, turn a few times and that's enough! Do that once every 6 months.

If you want to see what I went through with my ign. lock see this thread:

ignition key hard to turn 240D

[Lycoming-8]

If 110v power is available, a heat gun style hair dryer is a great option. It can get hot enough to thaw things out, but usually won't damage plastic etc. Also does not require addition of solvents or oil or graphite to do the thawing. Any or none of those can be added after the key again works.

[bobodaclown]

Lock deicer has been used for my years successfully. No Wires, Flame, or chance for major mishaps. Locks do wear out.
Bobo

[jAMES2182]

During the very cold season I keep the door un-locked. When I can't open the door on a cold morning I wish someone would steal the car. The chance is well worth it.

[hey_allen]

I was turned onto some stuff called Balistol by one of the local locksmiths when I asked about proper lock lube.

This was after he went off on a bit of a tirade on the damages and aggravation of people using graphite in their locks and goobering them up.

[Palangi]

The cigarette lighter fits the trunk lock perfectly.

[konstan]

I had a heck of a time opening mine yesterday. The worst part for me, since both my W123s are new to me, is not knowing whether the trunk is locked or frozen.

Nebraska...