Search is down - Frozen door locks

[Julesprivate]

I've been trying to get my wife to have a drive of the Chimaera since picking it up in October, but she seemed somewhat reluctant. Jude (my wife) is a petite little thing so driving some cars is a bit of a challenge (reaching the pedals)...

Well yesterday her TT Roadster went in for some work and it wasn't ready for collection last night so she needed to borrow the Chimaera to get to work (~35 miles away).

Jude gets up early and leaves ~06:00, so I was a bit surprised when she woke me to tell me she couldn't get in to the car... I've never had any problems (but then again I don't get up that early!).

Sure enough the door buttons (mine's a 96 with silver buttons on the rear quarter) were frozen solid. The central locking unlocked but there was no way to open the door using the button.

"That's OK" I thought, "I'll go into the boot and use the other way of opening the door"..... only of course the remote boot release kit I'd fitted decided it was too cold to work so I couldn't get into the boot.

"No problem, I'll use the 'alternative method' to gain access" - and sure enough, that worked fine. I opened the doors and the car fired up first time.

TBH I had completely forgotten just how susceptible glassfibre cars are to the cold, it was like a block of ice this morning.

If Jude gets back in time tonight (i.e. before dark) I'll need to try to do something to the door lock to see if I can stop it freezing..... I guess I'll just try WD40 or silicone spray - does anyone else have any suggestions?

I called her to check she arrived OK and she said she missed her heated seats, and the 4 wheel drive, and the knowledge that she didn't have traction control or ABS had her worried....but on the plus side she could (just) reach the pedals.. LOL

[V8 GRF]

I'd think a liberal application of WD40 should sort it. The lock is accessed by a velcro panel in the lower 'B' pillar.

[Hoofy]

Julesprivate said:

Sure enough the door buttons (mine's a 96 with silver buttons on the rear quarter) were frozen solid. The central locking unlocked but there was no way to open the door using the button.

Water just sits in the dip around the button and freezes.

Warm water does the trick. Or (when another car is available) it's a good sign that you should leave the Chimaera at home and take the other car.

[Mark.]

Press the button down then lubricate the 'barrel' I used 3 in 1 when the car lived outside, thick enough not to just run away.

[nawarne]

WD40 does work & helps to keep out the frost.
I'd certainly advise removing B pillar panel and spraying the mechanism.

However, for the push button the 3 in One is probably best.
And....yes, a bit of hot/warm water or hair dryer will defrost everything quickly.
Nick

[ChimpofDarkness]

To free it from a frozen state squirt WD40 or a small amount of screen de-icer onto the top face of the plunger, then go & have a cup of tea.

It typically needs 10 minutes to penetrate, if you are using de-icer it's faster, but try and keep it off the paint as best you can.

Once freed up depress the button & hold it down, then put a generous smear of silicone grease around the exposed cylinder.

Press the plunger up & down a few times to coat the inner face of the plunger then take a tissue & wipe away the excess.

Repeat every year in the first week of October and you'll never have the issue again.

I do this every year as part of my pre-winter service schedule, prevention is always better than cure

[ButtonIt]

I just rest the heel of my palm on the button and my hand heat melts the ice and button frees up. Get a cold hand, but it works. I also used GT85 spray in the "barrel" and that helps no end. The teflon coating seems to stop the ice sticking to the barrel.

[Graham]

Ah the memories of returning to a frozen car park 100 miles from home at 8pm to discover the door locks frozen. take the deicer from my briefcase spray the locks, open the door and jump in quick hoping the mechanism doesnt freeze before i shut the door.


had that a couple of times when it was really cold. the deicer melted the ice enough to run down into the lock and instantly refreeze so the door wouldnt latch !!!

[kenny Chim 4]

When I owned my 1996 car (which lived outside) I had this problem but I took a tip from a member on here to lubricate the steel shafts with vegetable oil before the frost set in. This is kinder to the rubber washers than WD40.

[lestershaw]

have you tried these ?
follow link

http://www.clever-trevor.net/TVR/Parts/Chimaera/i%...

then do a search for button cover
or part number M0922

[tonyperry57]

I used a liberal amount of 3 in 1 directly into the locks last week and that keeps moisture and frost out.

[Julesprivate]

Thanks guys
I should have thought about lubricating the barrel before winter set in but was too busy having fun LOL.

My carpet in the rear quarter appears to be glued rather than Velcroed but I can always re glue it.

I will spend some time lubricating things on the weekend.

My slightly bigger worry right now is that Jude loved driving it! I think I need to hide the keys now....

[Bassfiend]

lestershaw said:

have you tried these ?
follow link

http://www.clever-trevor.net/TVR/Parts/Chimaera/i%...

then do a search for button cover
or part number M0922

...but aren't those only for the buttons under the door mirrors? The OP's issue was the door release in teh rear quarter freezing solid.

P

[Bassfiend]

ButtonIt said:

I just rest the heel of my palm on the button and my hand heat melts the ice and button frees up. Get a cold hand, but it works. I also used GT85 spray in the "barrel" and that helps no end. The teflon coating seems to stop the ice sticking to the barrel.

+1

[gacksen]

took my lighter and heated the key up. once down to my palmrest and heated up the whole surroundings. of course hand got quite cold but worked after some time.

[lestershaw]

Bassfiend said:

...but aren't those only for the buttons under the door mirrors? The OP's issue was the door release in teh rear quarter freezing solid.

P

Yes I think you are right :-)
I remember clever Trevor did do covers for the door buttons and I was feeling very pleased with myself when I found the link so chuffed I didn't notice they were the wrong ones.
Sorry op and thanks bassfiend :-)
Lest