Imagine you have to go somewhere in a hurry. You rush to your car and reached for the car door to open it. But it won’t open! No matter how hard you try, your car door is not opening. This can only mean that it is jamming. This is a situation no one wishes to be in. Now you have to get a mechanic to open your jammed car door whose appointment is hard to get. You may be wishing that you knew how to open a stuck car door on your own. If so, we are here to help you. This article gives a step by step explanation about how do you open a jammed car door to help you perform the process on your own, so read on!
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How Do You Open A Jammed Car Door?
Car door can get stuck due to a variety of reasons. Sometimes car door may just be stuck and all you have to do is to unjam the locking mechanism to get it working again. However, if the door is locked from either side, the problem may be some internal structural damage. To fix this situation, you may need the help of an experienced mechanic. First, you can perform the two methods mentioned below to try and unlock your car door. If these didn’t work get a mechanic or an auto locksmith to analyse and fix the condition.
1. Unlocking A Door Stuck In The Locked Position
The first method on, how do you open a jammed car door is to try and unlock a car door stuck in the locked position.
Step 1: Attempt All Methods Of Unlocking The Door
This may be something you have tried already when you found that your car door is jammed. If not, try using both your remote and key multiple times to see if either of them can open your car door. If even one of the car door opens, try unlocking the jammed door/doors from the inside.
In case your remote works and the key doesn’t, the issue may be a bad electrical connection. You have to get this repaired by an auto electrician.
Step 2: Try Lubricating The Lock With A Dry Lubricant Spray If The Key Is Sticking
Make use of the tip of the key to push open the door’s keyhole slot. Spray a dry lubricant spray directly into the keyhole for a few seconds to lubricate the key and loosen it up. After lubricating, attempt to use the key to unlock the door again.
- You can try this fix if your door won’t open when you try turning the k.ey in the lock. This can be a sign of a sticking lock mechanism.
- One example of a dry lubricant is PTF spray which is said to be a dust-resistant dry lubricant spray. Wet lubricants can attract dust and dirt that will result in clogging up your door’s locking mechanism.
- You can also try putting some dry lubricant powder like graphite powder on both sides of your key before using it as an alternative or in addition to a dry lubricant spray.
Step 3: Spray WD-40 into the lock to clean out rust and grim If The Lubricant Failed To Work
Use the tip of your key again to open it. Now stick the read straw nozzle tip of a can of WD-40 all the way out into the keyhole and spray it inside the lock until it starts dripping out. Wd-40 is cable og=f blasting away the dirt, dust and other substances that could be causing the moving parts of your door mechanisms to stick. Proceed to add some lubricant again after cleaning out the WD-40.
Step 4: Remove The Door Panel And Try Moving The Locking Mechanism If It Is Still Stuck
Locate the screws and plastic plugs that hold the door’s panel in place and remove them using screwdrivers and pliers. Then pull off the door panel and locate the locking mechanism which is a collection of metal rods, plastic fasteners and moving plates right below the door’s lock. Proceed to remove the mechanism by wiggling the metal rods and plates up and down to see if this unlocks the door.
3. Fixing And Replacing Internal Parts?
The next method you can do in how do you open a jammed car door is fixing and replacing the internal parts in the locking mechanism of your car.
Step 1: Take Off The Door Panel And Look Inside For Damaged Parts
Remove the screws and such that hold the door panel in place and carefully pull it off. Check for broken, loose or missing parts in the locking mechanism below the door’s lock. The door latch mechanism is near the inside edge of the door where it opens and closes. This is what actually hooks the door onto the door frame to keep it shut.
Step 2: Look For Missing Bolts If The Door’s Outer Handle Is Loose
There is usually a bot directly behind the outer handle on the inside of the car door that holds the handle in place and makes it work properly. Check the inside of the door behind the door’s outside handle to see if it looks like this bolt is missing and put a new bolt-on in place if that’s necessary. This applies mainly only if the door works fine from the inside but can’t get it open. From the outside because the outer handle lose
Step 3: Fix Any Broken Or Loose Metal Rods
There are several metal rods inside the door that attach to the locking and latching mechanisms. Look closely and check if there are any broken or missing parts. Some rods may be popped out of the holes or clips that they are supposed to sit in. Buy replacement rods, pull out the damaged ones and snap the new ones into their place if any rods are broken.
If you can’t find any obviously damaged rods, try pulling the door handle or locking and unlocking the door’s lock at the metal rods. In this situation, you should see the metal rods moving. If you see that any of them is not moving, take a closer look at those to see whether they are loose or broken.
Step 4: Replace Any Broken Plastic Fasteners
The metal rods that make your door’s locking and latching mechanisms work are usually held in place by plastic clips. Look at all of the plastic bits you can see to spot any that are damaged. Buy replacement fasteners, pull off the old ones, and replace them with the new ones if you find broken pieces.
Conclusion
Having a car door jammed is not at all a desirable condition to be in. It can cause you a lot of difficulties, especially if you are in a hurry to go somewhere. This article discusses methods on how do you open a jammed car door on your own. Hope you found it helpful.