Have you ever been locked out of your car because the car door lock was stuck in the locked position? It can be a frustrating experience, especially if you don’t know how to unlock the car door.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to unlock a stuck car door lock. Let’s look at some solutions that may help.
Cleaning and Lubrication
When faced with a jammed door lock, lubrication is the most reliable solution. Dry lubricant provides the best results as an effective long-term choice since oils tend to attract dirt and cause build-up over time. If you’re unable to easily remove oil residue then it’s worth considering using WD-40 or similar oil-based products, which can prove very efficient at solving these types of problems.
Before applying any kind of lube, however, make sure that both keys on the keypad are completely clean for optimal performance potential.
Use WD-40 or Lubricant
Don’t let a stuck lock keep you from getting to what matters. Give your keyhole some TLC with WD-40 and soon enough, the door will be open! Start by spraying the lubricant into the opening before inserting your key. Wiggle it around gently for several minutes then turn it as normal – this should free any dirt or debris that may have buildup inside, so turning is easy again!
Use a Lock Pick Set
If you need to get into a locked car and traditional lubricant methods fail, then it may be time for an old-fashioned (and more challenging!) approach–lock picking. Insert the tension wrench at the bottom of your keyhole and use one pick to feel around inside for any pins blocking movements in the lock mechanism. With another pin, nudge them each until all are lined up properly; if successful, unlocking should become effortless!
What to Do If Your Car Door Handle Locked
Have you ever found yourself in the unfortunate situation of having a car door handle that is locked from the outside? It can be incredibly frustrating, especially if you are in a hurry and need to get into your car quickly. Fortunately, there are several options available for unlocking your car door with a locked handle.
These are some of the most common methods for unlocking your car door when it has been locked from the outside.
Using a Slim Jim or Coat Hanger
This is an old trick that works for many vehicles and can be done without any special tools. Take a slim jim or coat hanger and insert it between the window and door frame on the side of the vehicle where the lock is located.
Then, push up and down on either side of the lock until it pops open. This may take some time and patience, but once you’ve popped it open, you should be able to unlock your car door handle from the inside. Please note that this method may not work for all vehicles as each model is different.
Using a Lubricant
If your car door handle is stuck due to rust or dirt buildup, then using an appropriate lubricant could help unlock it. Apply some lubricant to the keyhole or lock cylinder and then use some force to turn it clockwise while jiggling around until it unlocks.
Again, please keep in mind that this method may not work for all vehicles depending on their design and construction materials used in manufacturing them.
Calling Roadside Assistance
If neither of the above solutions has worked for you, then your best bet may be to call roadside assistance who can send out someone with specialized tools to help unlock your car door handle from outside.
Depending on where you are located, services such as AAA offer roadside assistance packages that include these types of services which can be very helpful if you find yourself in an emergency situation like this one.
How to Open a Stuck Car Door Latch
Getting locked out of your car is one of the most frustrating experiences you can go through. If you find yourself in this predicament, take a deep breath and don’t panic.
There are several ways to open a car door latch without breaking into your own vehicle or calling for help. Let’s go over some options that may help you get back inside your car.
Using a Rod or Stick
One of the easiest and most straightforward ways to unlock a car door latch is by using a rod or stick. This method works best with older models since they tend to have more exposed parts than newer cars.
You will need an old credit card or something similar with which to slide the rod between the window frame and the weatherstrip on the door frame, then use it to push down on the lock button located inside the door handle.
Using String or Wire
This technique is best used when there isn’t much room between the window and the weather strip so that a rod won’t fit. Use wire cutters to cut off about two feet of string from an old pair of shoelaces, then tie it into a loop at one end and knot it at both ends so that it doesn’t slip out of place.
Next, insert the looped end through the crack between the window and the weather strip until it reaches inside the door handle area.
Then, move your hand around inside until you feel where the lock button is located, pull up on it gently with your finger until it clicks open, then pull up on the string from outside to open the door latch from outside.
Using Slim Jims
The last option we will cover here is using slim jims (also known as coat hangers). This tool looks like a metal ruler with teeth along one side; when inserted properly between two pieces of metal (such as those found in car doors), these teeth can be used to manipulate locks from outside without needing any special tools or knowledge about how locks work.
To use slim jims properly, first, remove any protective covers from around your car door before sliding them into place; then gently wiggle them back and forth until they catch onto something in there that will allow you to unlock your car from outside. Be aware that this method may not work on all cars since different models have different locking systems in place, so proceed with caution!
Replacing the Car Door Lock Assembly
The process of replacing a car door lock assembly is not as difficult as it may seem. In fact, with a few tools and some patience, you can do it yourself in no time. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to replace the car door lock assembly on your car door.
- Open the car door and remove the screws that hold the panel in place. There should be four screws in total.
- Carefully remove the door panel and set it aside.
- Locate the three Phillips head screws that hold the car door lock assembly in place. Remove these screws and set them aside.
- Carefully pull the old car door lock assembly out of the car door and discard it.
- Take the new car door lock assembly and insert it into the car door. Make sure that the tab on the bottom of the door lock assembly is facing downwards.
- Screw the three Phillips head screws back into place, making sure that they are tight but not over-tightened.
- Put the door panel back in place and screw the four screws back in to hold it in place.
- Close the car door and test out the new door lock assembly to make sure it is working properly.
And there you have it! You have now successfully replaced the door lock assembly on your car door all by yourself! With this guide, you saved yourself both time and money by avoiding having to take your car to a mechanic or dealership.
When to Call a Professional Locksmith
If you’re ever locked out of your home, car, or office and don’t have a spare key at the ready, calling a professional locksmith can be the most secure way to gain entry. At times when you’re forcibly locked out due to lost keys or accidentally locking yourself out of the building, you’ll want professional assistance from an experienced professional locksmith.
Experienced Locksmith Technicians
Mobile Locksmith Indianapolis has experienced locksmith technicians with the knowledge and understanding of various lock technologies who bring the best tools and solutions with them to any lockout situation.
These professionals operate quickly and efficiently so that you can regain access to whatever it is that you’ve been locked out of without much fuss. Professional locksmiths will give you the confidence they can solve the problem quickly while providing a secure backup solution that will prevent future lock-outs in the future.
Conclusion
Unlocking a stuck car door lock is no easy task but thankfully there are steps you can take to make it easier. Start by trying lubricants such as WD-40 first before attempting more complex methods such as using a lock pick set. Following these tips should help give you peace of mind if your car door ever gets stuck in its locked position again! Good luck!