Driver's Door Frooze/ Not Opening

[stanirish]

Just bought a S2 about 2 weeks ago, has remote central locking etc, but due to the temperature, (-3 to -19), I cannot get into the car through the drivers door. I can open the passenger and boot no problem, but just annoyed with the drivers door. I asked the previous owner, only to find out that he never locked the car in frost, as this was a recurring problem. Anyone any idea how to open the door ? and has anyone had the same problem ?

Many thanks

Stan

[rj scotty]

Hair dryer ?

I believe it's a common problem with sub zero temperatures

cheers

rich

[newsh]

I pour hot water over the lock to unfreeze it then follow up with wd40 to disperse the moisture and stop it re freezing. I also have one of those tiny butane torches.. Get some proper lube in there too so it doesn't happen again (for a while) aerosol spray grease will do the trick and a little 3 in 1 now and then.

[newsh]

Oh and mine's a large cappuccino

[s2_wot]

, the joy of coupe ownership I'm afraid, unfortunately frozen door locks are pretty common. Any pictures?

[stanirish]

6 kettles ?

Tried the hot water - boiled the kettle 6 times, but not a budge ! - strange it only the driver door, passenger opens no problem !! - window comes down no prob as well - gonna put some lithium grease in the lock, when it thaws , but was also thinking of copper grease - anyone try these before ?

[s2_wot]

Are you opening the door with the key or the alarm fob.
Try using the key in the passenger side door.

[mcandmar]

Can you unlock the door by pulling up the button inside?

[220bhp]

Have you tried to open the door from inside, if you can you have broken the plastic connection on the door lock

[Rusty]

Afraid it's an annoying side effect of the pillarless doors on a coupe

[twenty valve]

my capri lock always freezes up, all you have to do is press the key in a couple of mm to open the protective flap/cover bit, then pour hot water in. Works a treat everytime

Sounds like you may have a different problem

[JP]

I always spray engine oil into the lock at beginning of winter. Lubricates it and stops it from freezing. Then before shutting the door use some universal lm grease very thinly over the door rubber to help it open easily.

[Error404]

pouring hot water all over locks & latches only makes the problem worse next time
In my experience, its the latch mechanism that needs cleaning out and re-greasing, it gets moisture in it over time which freezes and turns the grease into pate.
Did that on my old coupe and it solved the problem, not done the CQ yet, on the to-do list

[newsh]

True enough, you have to get some proper lube in there.

[stanirish]

Many thanks to all

Many thanks to all who have contributed to this, did not get out to the car today as planned, but hope to try tomorrow ! Did try the door from the inside, but latch wouldn;t pull at all, and did to pull the lip from inside, as it bobs up and down slighty with the remote, but that didn't work either -plan is to put a heater on the door in the morning, and let it work slowly - then attack the latch when I get it open with some degreaser, finishing with some lithium grease to prevent a reaccuring problem. Thanksfully temp is on the rise again, as back to plus figure today, so hopefully have a success for ye all tomorrow night.

Many thanks again

Stan