Frozen Locks?

[mrltd]

Don't lock it when it gets cold.

While that might work in bumfuck PA, down south that isn't a good idea. Unless you want a new car.

[gabegt90]

x1 I always gots to lock my doors

[nitroracer]

Locking is optional in bumble fuck. But If I drive down to helaware, philly, or maryland everything gets locked up.

[86VickyLX]

Mercury owners need power locks. Have you ever tried to use the manual lever in a Grand Marquis? Besides, "fixing" things by ripping them out is not fixing them. Manual locks and windows in a full size sedan is a pain in the dick. Nobody wants to walk around the car closing windows and locking doors on a regular basis. tap a button, done.

Agreed, it's a pain in the ass with the Fords too. need power windows, need power locks.

[85crownHPP]

I made a cover for it, and since then have had no problems with freezing.

got any more details/pics??? Sounds like something that should be part of a standard box door panel service !!!!
And Im willing to do anything do prevent something that one time made me angry enough to strike the car :nonono:

[Enigma]

got any more details/pics??? Sounds like something that should be part of a standard box door panel service !!!!
And Im willing to do anything do prevent something that one time made me angry enough to strike the car :nonono:

I might have taken pics, but that was a year ago. Will have to look in the archives to see if I can find them.

[1987cp]

I like the sound of having ways to keep water off the locking mechanism. My power locks are disconnected, but the rods and junk still freeze up (like they are now), especially when it rains and then freezes (like it did last night).

What's the best way to get this junk unstuck? I used to have this sort of thing happen on occasion in Indiana, even had to get into the car through the tailgate more than once, but once I got up front I could always get the doors to open. I successfully opened the driver's door this morning, started the car to warm it up, then shut it again, and now I can't get it open from the inside or outside. The little slider won't go into the Unlock position at all. Is there anything I can do about it with the door closed (I remember one newer member, ReverendRevival I think, mentioning he'd taken a door panel off once with the door closed) or should I keep getting in and out the passenger side and cross my fingers and hope the weather warms up soon, and then WD-40 the heck out of everything?

[Nathan in MI]

Rather than WD 40, I'd use grease--it'll keep the moisture away just as effectively, while also lubricating the mechanism, which the WD 40 won't, really.

[1987cp]

Just like bearing grease? I also have some spray lithium grease, but that's not all that thick.

[Nathan in MI]

Whatever's handy, yeah. Not really all that critical what you use, just want something that'll stay on the mechanism rather than dripping off or drying up. Spray grease sounds kinda messy to me...

[1987cp]

Well, first things first - cleared space in the garage to get the dumb thing in out of the elements (you remember all the junk that was there ....). Might try to talk my wife into letting me get a little propane heater in hopes of getting the garage a little warmer ...

[Nathan in MI]

Hehehe--bet that was a bit of a project. lol

[86GmLsCoupe]

When my passenger lock actuator seized, I couldn't get it open any way (key, int/ext handles, slim jim, ect). I even took the door panel (2 door) off with the door shut and still couldn't get it. The only thing that finally worked was rolling the window down all the way, putting a long bent-tip pry bar in onto the top of the actuator, and tapping it out with a hammer. The rod extended and it even popped the actuator out of the old bracket so all I had to do was pop the $9 Ebay actuator in.

[gadget73]

My suggestion: stop locking the doors till you replace the actuator.

[fordktpjoe]

same thing happened to me last night, now that it's warmed up outside a bit, everything works as it should, except for the outer door handle. I can exit from the drivers door, but have to enter thru the passenger door. Must have yanked a little too hard on it!

Once I pull the door panel to repair whatever is broken, I'll lube everything I can reach with some Hi-temp wheel bearing grease.