What to do when your car door lock is stuck in the locked position? (2023)

He's running late for an important appointment, so he runs to his car, hoping to get in and be on his way. When trying to open the car door, it won't open.

You try to unlock it. Oh no!car's dooris closed and the latch is locked in the locked position.

Or you managed to open your car door and your car door lock is stuck. Now it doesn't close!

Having a car door stuck in the locked position is incredibly frustrating and can be very time consuming. It can occur for a wide variety of reasons, most of which cannot be avoided by the vehicle owner.

What is your job? Let's look at common causes, what to do if your car door is locked, and when to call a professional locksmith.

Before attempting any of these steps you should always make sure you are in a safe place. Approach this calmly. After all, if you race, you can damage your car, resulting in expensive repairs.

When you have a problem with a locked car door that won't open, it boils down to two problems. Is it a problem with the key or is it a problem with the car door lock assembly. Let's look at some common causes of your car door getting stuck in the locked position.

broken keychain

Most modern cars havea remote keyor FOB key fob that allows keyless entry into the vehicle. If you cannot unlock the car with the remote key, it could be a problem with the battery or some internal operation with the remote key.

This can be easily diagnosed by using the key to manually unlock the vehicle. If it opens easily, you have a broken key fob. This is an issue that can be resolved by replacing the battery or you may also need to get a new key fob.

broken connections

A common reason for a car door latch to get stuck in the locked position is due to broken connections in the door panel or latch assembly. These includea broken linkfrom the doorknob, keyhole or interior lock post/switch to the car door latch. If any of these components are broken or disconnected, it stops the entire locking process inside your car door.

If one or all of these connections are broken, the car door could get stuck in the locked position.

How do I know if this is the problem? If you can get into the car through a different door, try opening the stuck door from the inside.

Accumulation or jam in car door lock

A lot of things can build up on your car door lock. Rust, dirt and grime can easily build up and lock your car door lock in the locked position. Also, an internal part may have broken, causing a jam.

So how can you tell if your problem is a buildup or a clog? You can try inserting your key into the keyhole. If you can't insert it all the way in, there's a clear sign of buildup in your car door lock. However, this won't be a problem if you use a FOB key to unlock your car.

Similar to a broken connection, this can be diagnosed by trying to open the car door from the inside. You will need to open the door panel and try to move the assembly. Fortunately, you can troubleshoot what is blocking or jamming your car door lock.

structural damage

This is usually more common after a car accident, although a loud slam of the car dooror trunkit can also cause structural damage to your car door lock. This can result in a bent or disconnected latch.

Now that you've narrowed down what could be wrong with your car door lock, it's time to try and fix it. What are some of the things you can do, both with minimal skills and a toolbox?

immediate solution

if you need to geton the road quickly, and the car door is stuck, you can always get in through another door. Granted, this doesn't solve your car door problem, but it does ensure that you can get where you want to be in the blink of an eye.

Make sure the door is securely closed while driving. If the problem is that your car door is stuck, you shouldn't drive until it's fixed. On the other hand, you probably shouldn't drive if your car lock is also stuck. In the event of an accident, you will not be able to get out of the vehicle easily. This could put you in danger.

To open the car door, you can try the following steps:

1. Locate the car door latch
2. Locate the gap that fits the car door latch.
3. Insert a long, thin tool (such as a pen or wrench) into the opening.
4. Push the latch towards your car in an upward motion.
5. Close the door

This is a temporary solution if you really need to use the car before resolving the stall issue. Keep in mind that this only works if the port is open. You may not be able to come back after it's closed.

If your car door lock is stuck, there are a few steps you can try to open it.

1. Try all available ways to access the car through the stuck door. This includes your remote control, interior locks, door handles, etc.)
2. If that doesn't work, use another door to get into the car.
3. Look inside the door lock that is stuck in the locked position.
4. Locate the door panel mounting screws.
5. If you can locate them, remove the mounting screws.
6. If the door panel cannot be opened far enough to reach and view the car door lock assembly, you may want to try a possible partial disassembly.
7. When gaining access to the door lock assembly, you may attempt to tamper with the assembly and the interior door lock.
8. Find a temporary way to open the door by moving the latch.

Sure, it sounds simple to some, but it can be quite difficult. Troubleshooting is key here so you know exactly what you're looking for.

Cleaning and Lubrication

The first thing you can try to unlock a stuck car door is a lubricant. A dry lubricant is preferred as a long-term solution, as oil-based lubricants tend to attract things that can build up, like dirt and dust. If you are taking the trouble toclean and lubricate, you can also make sure the problem doesn't happen again right away!

However, for a quick fix, an oil-based solution can do the trick. Most people usually have WD-40 on hand, which would make a great oil-based lubricant for this problem.

Also, if there is a foreign object lodged in the door lock, you can try to remove it. When applying lubricant, be sure to clean the assembly first. It also removes any blockages.

Once this is done, continue to lubricate the assembly until it moves freely. This will help ensure this is a long-term solution, assuming buildup and improper lubrication are to blame.

rust prevention

If the rust isthe main problem, it is important to prevent this from happening again. You should check the locks and car regularly for signs of rust. Do not allow water to pool in faucet assembly. Washing your vehicle regularly can help prevent rust buildup so dirt doesn't break down protective coatings and cause rust.

After cleaning the rust, applying a rust inhibitor can help keep it from spreading. Most rust inhibitors on the market come with an application brush. Simply dip it into the lightning rod and apply a thin layer to the rusted area.

If your rust inhibitor doesn't come with a brush, you can always use a cotton swab or small cloth to apply it to the metal. Just make sure you let it dry completely. The bottle will indicate how long it should take.

When dry, apply a thin layer of primer over the anti-rust. Be sure to use a rag or paper towel to wipe off any excess primer so it doesn't drip.

If you are in a painted area, you can apply a touch-up paint over the primer. As with rustproofing, it's important to let the primer dry completely first.

Lockout Assembly Replacement

If you've determined that it's a structural problem with the faucet assembly, it may need to be replaced. This is not recommended if you don't have auto mechanic experience or don't have the proper tools.

While you might be tempted to DIY your car door lock problem, sometimes it's not the best way to go. If you are not sure how to diagnose your car door lock problem, it is always preferable to call a professional locksmith.

They can help with diagnosis and repair, confident that the problem will be fixed the first time.

If you need to remove the door panel or somehow get inside the interior lock assembly, a professional locksmith will be your best bet. They can easily do this without harm.

As there are so many causes and solutions, a professional locksmith will always be your best option. While it may not be the cheapest option, it will guarantee you a long-term solution. A professional locksmith will also be able to solve your problem without further damaging your vehicle.

The time it takes for a locksmith to fix your car door lock problem will ultimately depend on the problem at hand. Each case depends entirely on the lock, the type of care and the scope of work required. Your car will not be damaged unless a destructive entry is required. This will only be done as a last resort.

With a destructive entry, a professional locksmith will only damage the part that needs replacing. They will only do so with your consent after exhausting all other avenues of entry and redress.

If there is structural damage to the lock or a problem with the connection, this usually indicates that the lock will need to be replaced. To safely unlock the car and have the right tools and spare lock, a professional locksmith would be ideal.

While having your car door latch stuck in the locked position is initially alarming, it can sometimes be an easy fix. Whether it's the lock assembly that needs cleaning or it's a problem with the key fob, sometimes the average person can fix it themselves.

However, professional locksmiths are there if you need help. They can handle any issues you may have in a courteous, safe and efficient manner.

Once your car door lock issue is resolved, you can be back on the road without worry!contact us todayto quickly fix this and other crashing issues.

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