Door locks are impossible when it's cold!
 

This morning I got to school, got out and tried to lock my doors. First of all I couldn't get the key in, but once I got the key in it didn't turn. Since you can't lock our cars from the inside and then shut the door I messed around with he thing for about 10 minutes until it finally turned. I don't think the passenger side locks even locked but I finally got the drivers sides to lock. I know it has to be the cold, it was about 10 degrees this morning, but they've been fine in much colder weather. What do you think I should do? Thanks for the help!

Take a lighter and heat your key for a little bit, the insert the key in the lock and giggle. You might have to repeat a few times. When you get a chance spray some graphite lube in the locks. Might help.

i use a lighter with mine too. you can't lock yours from the inside?? i can't lock mine from the outside anymore on the driver's door, just on the passengers side.

Thanks for the tips. I tried it from the passenger's side and it would lock but it didn't lock the other doors. If I lock the drivers door with it open from the inside and then close it all the locks open back up again, some safety feature so that you don't lock your keys in the car. I'll spray some graphite lubricant and keep a lighter in my car. Thanks again!

The locks should only pop back up if the key is in the ignition. That is the safety feature according to the owners manual. You should be able to lock the doors from the inside and then shut the door. Maybe the ignition switch is sending a false signal to the door locks, tricking it to think the key is still in the ignition.

P.S. Don't keep the lighter in your car because if your locks freeze, you won't have any way of getting in to get the lighter.

Before winter I spray WD40 in all the locks and follow up with graphite powder. Helps keep any moisture off the lock parts.
Buy a can or two of lock de-icer. It's like a $1.50 a can.
Try not to keep it in the car though.
Works great.
A lighter can do the trick also.
Or...move to Florida! No trouble with locks freezing!

Re: Door locks are impossible when it's cold!
 

You should be able to lock the doors from the inside...even with the car running, i do it all the time, you just have to use the inside door locking switch, u can't punch the button on the keypad, and then just hold the door handle up as you close the door.

the doors always unlock unless I hold the door handle up when closing it. It doesnt matter if the key is in the ignition or not. Is it supposed to be that way? I'm not really worried about it because I installed a keyless entry system. Also speaking of locks not turning, it kinda reminds me of the trunk lock thread. I still havent got that thing to work. :rolleyes:

:laugh: :laugh:

Re: Door locks are impossible when it's cold!
 

You can lock a door VIA pushing the 90 button or locking all the doors from the inside, lift the door handle as you close the door, release the handle and then it's locked.

Hmm, unless they changed designs or something... My locks work just like regular locks (except they unlock w/ key in, and lock all doors). I don't have to hold my handle up at any time. Mine's a 92 SE though (no keypad).

On my old Honda, you have to hold the handle up to lock it.

I just mean that when the car is running, you know to warm it on a cold morning, if u shut it with the car running without holding the handle it will unlock, and if u push the 90 key it will just beep at you

On my car, the doors unlock when I shut the door even when the key isnt in the ignition. :confused:
(SE no pad)

who knows, apparently nissan likes to have things different ways, just try it till u find what works!

Think about what years your cars are though..

the 89 and 90's did not have a door lock timer.
I think the 91 do, but I'm not sure.
the 92 are all the same, other than the SE's dont have keypads (which ****es me off. I've locked my keys in the car twice now because my alarm locks my doors about 1 min after you start the car.. i.e. right about the time you finish scraping the ice off the windows and reach for the door)

but the 89 and 90s will require the handle-lift thing. not sure on the 91s. 92 and up don't do that.

i've got 91 gxe, i have to do the lift handle thing when the car is running, not sure about otherwise cause i always just punch the keypad..