Latch frozen/seized - Need advise

[CIVICDXDUDE]

Hi everyone,

With the very cold weather here my driver side door latch froze "locked" on 98 Civic DX. I cannot unlock the door from both the inside or the outside and to make matters worse I think I broke or "disconnected" something within the mechanisms of the inside door lever.
This is a manual lock, manual windows. I am going to pick up a space heater tonight on the way home and leave it in the car for an hour or so in hopes of being able to thaw out the components as I don't have access to an inside garage.

Does anyone have any advise as to what to look for when I get the inside door lever cover off? Perhaps some photos or schematics?

ANY advise for this situation is appreciated. When I try to unlock the door from both the inside or outside I feel it "spring back" to the locked position telling me something doesn't want to release possibly due to frozen condensation.

Thanks,

 

[HeX]

If the key cylinder resists turning along with the inner lock button feeling very stiff and unable to engage, then its possible either something broke on the locking mechanism or its frozen seized, possibly due to lack of grease. If the key cylinder turns too freely, showing no resistance, then that couldve broken but I cant recall how that could affect the inner lock switch.

Consider pouring a large amount of hot water on the glass into the channel to see if it helps unfreeze any potentially frozen mechanisms. I wouldnt see how a space heater would do any better than just running the A/C heater at max. Instead of any ofthat which may not penetrate past the door panel, try removing the pocket in the door armrest and use a blow dryer. Thatll entrap the heat between the door panel and outer sheet metal.

 

[Osiris19]

Rainx makes a deicer spray for this kind of stuff. Very common in the winter. If you forced it, you could've broke the clip on the rod that the cylinder turns to unlock the latch. Only way to find that out is to take the door panel off. Did you hear anything when you "broke" it?

The latch itself could've also been frozen. Hot water helps.

 

[CIVICDXDUDE]

Update.

Thanks for advise guys. I got home last night, before I went to the store to pick up the blow dryer I tried opening the door again and with the temperature warming up slightly I was able to open the door using my key from the outside. The inside locking mechanisms worked as well so I thought I would pick up some spray grease today and coat the latch as much as possible. This morning I enter the car to go to work (colder outside) and find that while I'm able to unlock/lock it from the outside I cannot unlock/lock it anymore from the inside. The lock tab is very stiff and the inside leaver "slips" as there appears to be too much resistance.

I'm picking up a spray on my way home today and going to try just taking out the inside door latch cover and investigating if I stripped something(??). It sucks having to open the door by rolling the window down but hopefully worst case scenario I have to replace the connection between the inside lever and the linkage that connects to the locking mechanism. Is it just a little plastic piece or do I have to replace the entire assembly?

Any advise on what I should use as a spray? WD 40??

Raf

 

[HeX]

Thanks for advise guys. I got home last night, before I went to the store to pick up the blow dryer I tried opening the door again and with the temperature warming up slightly I was able to open the door using my key from the outside. The inside locking mechanisms worked as well so I thought I would pick up some spray grease today and coat the latch as much as possible. This morning I enter the car to go to work (colder outside) and find that while I'm able to unlock/lock it from the outside I cannot unlock/lock it anymore from the inside. The lock tab is very stiff and the inside leaver "slips" as there appears to be too much resistance.

I'm picking up a spray on my way home today and going to try just taking out the inside door latch cover and investigating if I stripped something(??). It sucks having to open the door by rolling the window down but hopefully worst case scenario I have to replace the connection between the inside lever and the linkage that connects to the locking mechanism. Is it just a little plastic piece or do I have to replace the entire assembly?

Any advise on what I should use as a spray? WD 40??

Raf

It may be wise to have WD40 on hand for the key cylinder and get actual grease for larger mechanisms and springs. Your issue may be that a larger component is ceasing due to lack of proper lubrication needed in colder tempuratures. Thats not to say something else cant be damaged. It could be a few things. The best thing to do is open it up and inspect it all visually and manually, then take action. Its a reasonable bet that if its still moving but its stiff then its salvageable with little effort.

 

[CIVICDXDUDE]

Thanks

Managed to open the door and sprayed enough Jig-a-lube on the latch to float a boat. I also opened the inside door lever cover and ensured all the connections are tight. I may have snapped the lower contact point on the "lock" tab but if I place enough effort on the top side it now unlocks and locks without issue. This spring/summer I'm going to take the inside door panel off and coat all mechanisms with lubricant.

Thanks for the advise guys!

Raf