Locks Frozen
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 114
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Locks Frozen
Well, I couldn't get into my 77 F150 this morning. We had rain which turned to snow and it got a little cold (18) last night.
I did finally manage to get the key into the lock cylinder but I couldn't turn it either way.
I remember the lock freezing up similarly in my 68 Fairlane wagon in the past.
All was not lost as I was able to get into the 00 Excursion for the ride to work.
Any ideas other than leaving the truck unlocked?
I did finally manage to get the key into the lock cylinder but I couldn't turn it either way.
I remember the lock freezing up similarly in my 68 Fairlane wagon in the past.
All was not lost as I was able to get into the 00 Excursion for the ride to work.
Any ideas other than leaving the truck unlocked?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 367
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From: Naples, FL
small handheld propane torch on low??? take it easy on the paint though...
I dont know though because Im born and raised here in SWFL where its blue skys and 70's right now....I dont know what cold is...never seen snow...so thats just my 2 cents...its a shot in the dark though
I dont know though because Im born and raised here in SWFL where its blue skys and 70's right now....I dont know what cold is...never seen snow...so thats just my 2 cents...its a shot in the dark though
Senior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 138
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From: Spanaway, Washington
Um, a 97 cent can of lock de-icer from Walmart? I also use this for my padlocks.
In a bind, heat your key with a lighter and insert it for a couple minutes to thaw the mechanism, repeat until key turns.
In a bind, heat your key with a lighter and insert it for a couple minutes to thaw the mechanism, repeat until key turns.
Last edited by kuzzins27; Feb 14, 2008 at 09:32 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 403
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From: Story City, Iowa
Get the lock de-icer. Then when everything is warm and dry, spray in the lock with some silicon spray. Also hit the latch, hinges, etc. I also spray it on a rag and wipe down the weather stripping. Never been iced out of a vehicle since I started doing this.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 813
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From: Up Nort Minnesota
if you are in a pinch & don't have time to fetch a can of lock de-icer.... well I was going to say open a bottle of "hhet" or other brand of gasline antifreeze, hold the neck of the bottle firmly & squarely against the key lock & gently squeeze the bottle until you can feel that it has melted the ice & is starting to take the alcohol. (that's what gasline antifreeze is, isopropyl alcohol) so, if you don't have a bottle of gasline antifreeze either, check the medicine cabinet in the house for a regular bottle of rubbing alcohol. it'll cut through the ice, what spills inside of the door shell will evaporate & what you spill on the outside on the paint will not hurt your paint.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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In a hurry ?
Just heat the key with a lighter.......insert into lock...let sit for 5-6 seconds.
Reheat key and insert again as many times as it takes attempting to turn it every time.
The heat from the heat will heat the lock.
aside from the lock de-icer..You can also buy a battery operated lock thaw device for $5.00
Just heat the key with a lighter.......insert into lock...let sit for 5-6 seconds.
Reheat key and insert again as many times as it takes attempting to turn it every time.
The heat from the heat will heat the lock.
aside from the lock de-icer..You can also buy a battery operated lock thaw device for $5.00
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 813
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From: Up Nort Minnesota
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More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2007
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We get a bit of freezing rain here and it gets down around all the door seals so you couldnt open the door if the key did work.
I've taken the forced air construction style heaters to thaw them out.
I've taken the forced air construction style heaters to thaw them out.
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New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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Canada has tons of In-car heaters for sale in stores to prevent that from happening.
Thing is though ,they have to already be in the car/truck plugged in to the extension cord ready for power 2 hours before you start the vehicle.
Thing is though ,they have to already be in the car/truck plugged in to the extension cord ready for power 2 hours before you start the vehicle.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 359
Likes: 1
From: Saint Paul, MN
This won't help free a frozen lock but it will help lubricate. Graphite can be purchased at any auto store. It comes in a tube and you just squeeze it into the key hole. Makes any kind of lock work nice and smooth.
