Frozen Driver Door Lock - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

veggie190 · #1 12-16-2008, 06:47 PM

So this morning it was -2 in Madison, WI. Tried to get in my 300TD and the lock was frozen solid! I could barely get the key in let alone turn it!

I ended up crawling through the tailgate. Car started just fine with three glow cycles.

Any tips on preventing a frozen lock? (Besides moving south

) Can I spray something in the lock for the future?

Chad300tdt · #2 12-16-2008, 06:54 PM

Install a keyless entry. I got one off ebay for $30 shipped.

Simpler=Better · #3 12-16-2008, 07:24 PM

I use a BIC lighter to warm my locks when they freeze. Also wiggling in the up-down direction once the key's in can help too.

Fredmburgess · #4 12-16-2008, 07:32 PM

in a pinch you can pour a cup of hot water over lock and/or heat the key in the hot water. Ultimately might make things worse if more water gets into the lock.

awsrock · #5 12-16-2008, 08:36 PM

My lock was frozen too, although I was at least able to get the key in! I tried heating the key with a lighter and that worked. Afterwards, I sprayed some PB blaster in there to prevent it from freezing up again. That has seemed to really loosen things up in there for now.

Scott98 · #6 12-16-2008, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awsrock

Afterwards, I sprayed some PB blaster in there to prevent it from freezing up again. That has seemed to really loosen things up in there for now.

+1 on PB Blaster. I sprayed some on my trunk lock a few days ago (it would never turn when cold) and it hasn't acted up since. Also works way easier than it ever did before.

Scott

moon161 · #7 12-16-2008, 09:15 PM

One time the locks on my saab froze after a movie. Lighter wouldnt light in the wind, so i held my thumb on the lock for a while, loosened it up.

Most guys can produce warm fluid in a pinch, don;t know if that would help or hinder

vstech · #8 12-16-2008, 09:32 PM

yet again, duct tape comes to the rescue.
before you go in for the night, put a dab of duct tape on the lock. pull off in the morning, insert key and open door.
no moisture in keyhole, no frozen lock...

veggie190 · #9 12-16-2008, 09:59 PM

Thanks! I'll use a bic to heat it up and spray some PB blaster in there...

Chad300tdt

Was it hard to install keyless entry? Maybe I'll do that when it's warm out!

Chad300tdt · #10 12-16-2008, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by veggie190

Thanks! I'll use a bic to heat it up and spray some PB blaster in there...

Chad300tdt

Was it hard to install keyless entry? Maybe I'll do that when it's warm out!

It wasn't bad. It took a couple hours. I got my central vac locks all working properly and then just used the master solenoid to operate the driver door lock.

The hardest parts were fishing the wires through the rubber accordian at the door hinge and locating the master solenoid and push/pull rod so they wouldn't bind with the power window.

The keyless entry I installed is ONLY for the door locks but an alarm could be added later.

I used this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/REMOTE-POWER-DOOR-LOCK-NEW-UNIVERSAL-Actuator-MOTORS-M_W0QQitemZ380089383492QQihZ025QQcategoryZ33723QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ht_4715wt_1086

I tapped power from the fuse for the clock and grounded near the E-Brake.

EDIT: I just bought another one for my wife's daily driver CD.

I guess she'll have keyless entry for Christmas.

bustedbenz · #11 12-17-2008, 12:33 AM

So far I've had to Zippo the key a few times to get the thing melted out enough to unlock. It's bad up here because we have a lot of wet mist and a lot of wind and a lot of both on freezing nights, so the moisture literally blows into the lock and makes ice within. Heating the keys up with a lighter and then sticking them in to melt things out has worked the best so far for me.

Also, since the w126 fortunately unlocks everything from the trunk lock, which has that little metal "lip" sticking out over it as part of the trunk deck - frequently that lock doesn't get frozen with the door locks.

But then of course the doors are frozen shut too and I almost feel like I'm going to rip the door handles off trying to get them open.

pawoSD · #12 12-17-2008, 12:44 AM

you can probably drag the car sideways with a rope tied to the door handle.....they're pretty strong.

I use keyless entry on mine too, no worries about using a key.

rcounts · #13 12-17-2008, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awsrock

My lock was frozen too, although I was at least able to get the key in! I tried heating the key with a lighter and that worked. Afterwards, I sprayed some PB blaster in there to prevent it from freezing up again. That has seemed to really loosen things up in there for now.

Ditto, only I used a spare key that is all metal (no plastic head - wouldn't want to risk melting my "good" key) and I held it with a pair of pliers and heated it over the flame of my stove. Got it good & hot and worked it into the lock (couldn't even get the key in to start with). Once it was fully inerted I let it sit there and thaw the lock for a couple of minutes, then followed that with a squirt of PBB to displace the water.

No more problem...