2002 Sunfire GT and Doors/Locks Freezing :-(

[angelgirl_x]

I am wondering if anyone has the same problem with their 2002 Sunfire GT (or any Sunfire in general) of when it is really cold (at least -25) and the doors and/or locks (inside and out) are frozen so you are unable to get into your car. I have tried the de-ice stuff for locks, haven't washed my car (duh, who would in -25 weather anyway?!)
I have had this problem on going for the past 3 years and the dealership is useless. They tell me to bring it in when this occurs. Hello?? If I bring it to them, doesn't that imply that i got into my car?! As much as I would like to be able to, I can't predict the weather, thus making it impossilbe and inconvient for me to bring them the car before the doors and locks are frozen for them to look at it.

Has this happened to anyone else and what was the solution??

I only have 1 more year on my lease (only 24,850km) and my goddam 3 year warreny ended 2 days ago :-( And to top it off, due to the cold weather, my shift boot broke and it's $71 to replace!
Hopefully my extended warrenty will help. If not, I only have one more winter left with this car because I am getting really annoyed with GM. I love my car but there is only so much bull**** that I can tolerate.

Anyway, I will stop rambling...if anyone can help I would REALLY APPRECIATE IT!

Thanks

[zerokreativity]

I've had the same problem with my Sunfire before, though the temperature is rarely as low as -25 where I am. The Lock De-Icer stuff never seemed to work really well. If the lock freezes I just pour a lot of hot water on it, (then open the door before the water I poured on can freeze!). I can't always get my hands on hot water, but it seems to work whenever I do.

[planedude]

For your door use silicon spray. Your locks I find LPS products work good or a graphite spray. The easiest thing to do is install and autostart. Then they will be thawed out by the time u get to it.

[pacman99]

hmm for me the opposite happens. I can open the door (after pulling on it for a while) but can't close it heh. Last time I had to get a screwdriver and mess with the door lock so it would close. (95 sunfire)

[Angella]

silicon spray or vaseline (<-sp?) works really well on the door - the rubber is freezing up on you most likely. It will also keep it moist, so it won't dry out as quickly and will last longer : )

for the locks themselves, try what planedude said or white lithium (it's in a spray can, easy to use and very handy to keep around)

[VIRUS XIII]

I can't help you with the locks, but the doors I can. Whenever I've been a dumbass and washed my car in below 0 temperatures, the doors always freeze to the weather stripping. I carefully slip my key in the crack of the upper portion of the door (where the black trim is and NOT the paint!) and pry, being careful not to puncture the weather stripping or bend the key.

When my warantee was up my shift boot was cracked as well, but they replaced it without any charge. They also fixed my ABS after the warantee had expired at no charge. this all happened about a month or two after the warantee was up. Also, if you are going to pay for a new boot, it shouldn't be more than $15 or $20. Get it off Ebay if the dealership is going to bend you over the table for it.

[angelgirl_x]

well, an update on this situation...
i went to my dealship, basically told them that i don't expect to pay anything (i don't care if it was one day after the 3 years!) and after they presented the case to GM Canada, GM agreed to pay for the repairs as part of their "Goodwill" guarantee (or something).

they adjusted both the lock and rod assembly and replaced the shift boot! YIPPIE! apparently other 2002 sunfires have had the same problem.

there has yet to be another -25 plus day, so i will have to wait and see if it worked.