Driver’s door lock sticking.

[Scotter]

Mx5 RF.
I was wondering if anyone else has had the same problem with this recent cold weather.
Minus 9 yesterday morning and the driver’s door wouldn’t unlock.Luckily the passenger side unlocked so I had to contort myself into the car.Same scenario coming home from work when the temp was circa minus 2.
When I got home I activated the alarm a couple of times and heard the driver’s door unlock and the door then opened.
Minus 2 at the present and luckily off work but the same thing again.
I have been warming the car up,I managed to use a mop handle to depress the clutch to start the engine to save me struggling into the driver’s seat.
I stopped the car a few minutes ago and the door unlocked but the alarm took a few attempts to arm after which the door won’t unlock again!
I’ve had a look online and can’t find any similar stories to the one above..I appreciate it may be due to damp and water ingress then freezing but would like to know if there’s any tips as to preventing this happening again.
Cheers.

[Scotter]

Answering my own question-I used the key in the fob to manually open the driver’s door.
At least I know I don’t have to clamber over the passenger seat now should the problem arise again.

[skilly1]

I would spray some wd40 into the lock. Should sort it.

[elanfan]

skilly1 said:

I would spray some wd40 into the lock. Should sort it.

Worst thing you can put into a lock, it’s a water disperser not a lubricant.

Best thing is graphite powder puffer which you can get from a locksmiths. If you’ve a friendly one nearby maybe they let you take one out to your car then return it.

[Scotter]

skilly1 said:

I would spray some wd40 into the lock. Should sort it.

Yes I’ve done that.
Thanks anyway for the advice.

[Scotter]

elanfan said:

Worst thing you can put into a lock, it’s a water disperser not a lubricant.

Best thing is graphite powder puffer which you can get from a locksmiths. If you’ve a friendly one nearby maybe they let you take one out to your car then return it.

Oh heck.

[skilly1]

Scotter said:

Oh heck.

Just fire in some silicone spray later on and it will be fine.

[Scotter]

skilly1 said:

Just fire in some silicone spray later on and it will be fine.

Will “borrow” some next week,thanks for the tip.
Weather warming up after tomorrow so hopefully this won’t be a regular occurrence.
A small annoyance when all is said and done.

[Nickp82]

If it will unlock on the key but not on the remote it is more likely to be an actuator issue than the lock itself.

[Scotter]

Nickp82 said:

If it will unlock on the key but not on the remote it is more likely to be an actuator issue than the lock itself.

Thanks for that,interesting to know.
I took the car out this afternoon when the temperature had risen to a dizzying 1c and the drivers door locked and unlocked with the remote and also the keyless entry.
It does seem to be a temperature related problem but I’m not best pleased that a drop in temperature to such a relatIve small degree results in this situation.
Another interesting thing the last couple of weeks has been a lot of condensation in the car,to the extent when I pull the sun visor down water drips off it.
The carpets aren’t wet but maybe I need to check the drain holes.
I’m on my fourth mx5 and I was hoping this one would be the first not to steam up in winter and have condensation problems.
Oh well!

[TVRees]

said:

I’m on my fourth mx5 and I was hoping this one would be the first not to steam up in winter and have condensation problems.

Sorry to divert the thread, but does anyone have any good tips* to alleviate the winter condensation problems?

(*) - not including the "buy/build a garage" tips

[Scotter]

TVRees said:

Sorry to divert the thread, but does anyone have any good tips* to alleviate the winter condensation problems?

(*) - not including the "buy/build a garage" tips

Pingi dehumidifier off Amazon for £7.95 helps keep the windscreen clear,up to a point.
Other than that,I always have an old tea towel to hand.