Frozen Door locks?

[pinkylee]

Hello,

I have a 1998 VW Jetta GLS. The problem I am having is that the passengers side door opens when it is warm out, but when it gets to be below freezing the door will not open from the outside/ the inside. Has anyone had this problem in the past? If so if you could gimme a tip on fixing I would appreciate it! Also I leave the car unlocked when it is cold out and the door works fine until it gets very cold out. I don't really want to leave my car unlocked anymore for obvious reasons.

[glassgirl]

Originally Posted by pinkylee

Hello,

I have a 1998 VW Jetta GLS. The problem I am having is that the passengers side door opens when it is warm out, but when it gets to be below freezing the door will not open from the outside/ the inside. Has anyone had this problem in the past? If so if you could gimme a tip on fixing I would appreciate it! Also I leave the car unlocked when it is cold out and the door works fine until it gets very cold out. I don't really want to leave my car unlocked anymore for obvious reasons.

I have that problem too! No word yet on how to remedy the situation?

[alphalanos]

I think if you put some Silicone spray, or WD-40, etc. on the door and the rubber strip then it prevents it from freezing to the metal.

[glassgirl]

Originally Posted by alphalanos

I think if you put some Silicone spray, or WD-40, etc. on the door and the rubber strip then it prevents it from freezing to the metal.

OH!
Sweet! Thanks! Do you know anything about gas caps? (see my thread) lol..

[pinkylee]

Ill try that but, I dont know if the problem is that. When i pull the door handle it feels like its not catching anything. Do you know what I mean? Its like the pulling on the handle when it is locked . ill try the wd-40 thing and let you know how it works! Thanks agian!

[jaffo]

Originally Posted by pinkylee

Ill try that but, I dont know if the problem is that. When i pull the door handle it feels like its not catching anything. Do you know what I mean? Its like the pulling on the handle when it is locked . ill try the wd-40 thing and let you know how it works! Thanks agian!

I had the same problem. The guy at the dealer told me to take the outer door handle off and grease all the aluminum parts on the handle. I did and I caked on the grease (used bearing grease). Never had the problem again. Water gets in the handle and on to the aluminum and actually freezes. That's why the door works when it warms up the water thaws but doesn't evaporate. The hadle is pretty easy to take off. I recommended spending the $10-$15 and buy the Chilton's manual for it, shows how to remove and replace things like door handles and much more.

[pinkylee]

Alright ill try that one too! thanks alot for your help!