Have you ever unlocked your car door, only to find the lock unresponsive? If so, you know how frustrating it can be when a car door lock malfunctions. But what could be the reasons?
Well, your car door lock can cause problems due to many reasons. Be it a frozen lock, a faulty key fob, or a problem with the locking mechanism itself. All these reasons can cause your car door to malfunction.
In this article, we will learn the reasons for car door malfunction and what are the possible solutions to fix it.
Reasons Why Your Car Door Lock Might Malfunction
#1- Faulty Key Fob
A faulty key fob is one of the most common reasons for a car door lock to malfunction. If your key fob is not working properly, then it will not be able to communicate with the car’s locking mechanism.
Depending on the car model, the key fob can be used to unlock and lock the car, in addition to starting and shutting down the engine. Many modern cars today rely on key fobs for most of these functionalities.
When a key fob is malfunctioning, it may not be able to send signals to unlock or lock the car door in your garage or when you are outside. And even worse, it will not be able to start your engine. So if any of these things occur, you should check your key fob to see if there are any loose connections between it and the car’s locking mechanism.
#2- Faulty Locking Mechanism of Your Car
Another common reason the car door lock may malfunction is the locking mechanism itself. If there are any loose connections between the car door and locking mechanism, then it will not be able to function properly.
This is because the car door’s locking mechanism will only work when it can communicate properly with its counterpart. And if the communication is not there, then the door may not be able to lock or unlock.
Even if you have a working key fob, you may still have problems with your locking mechanism. This is why you need to ensure that everything on your car is working properly before concluding that the fault lies with your locking mechanism.
#3- Frozen or Damaged Door Lock
Another possible cause of car door malfunction is a frozen or damaged lock. Several reasons can cause this.
For instance, say that you have been using your car in cold temperatures. If you leave your car in the cold for too long and try to lock it at a warm temperature, then condensation can form on the lock. And this can cause the locking mechanism to become frozen.
Frozen locks may also occur if moisture seeps inside the door panel of your car. This can happen if you have a faulty drainage system or your car was parked in the rain for too long.
#4- Faulty Dashboard Locking System
If your car has a faulty dashboard locking system, then it may not be able to communicate properly with its door locking mechanism. This can cause the door lock to malfunction and refuse to operate or unlock.
A faulty dashboard locking system is usually caused by misalignment of the dashboard and door panels or by loose wiring in the door panel. And in some cases, a faulty dashboard locking system can also be caused by a loose connection between the dashboard and the locking mechanism.
You should check the dashboard and door panels to see if they are properly aligned. If they are misaligned, you need to adjust them to fit perfectly.
#5- Faulty Switch on Your Car Door Panel
A faulty switch is another common reason your car door lock may malfunction. The switch may not be able to communicate with your car lock if it is damaged or loose. You can check it by giving it a little push and see if it is responding.
If you find that the switch does not work, you can try cleaning it or applying some lubricant to make it move freely again.
#6- Blown Fuse of Power Lock
Another cause of your car door lock malfunctioning is a blown a fuse. It can happen if the fuse burns due to overheating. This is why you should always make sure that your fuse box is not overheated or that you have enough fuses in it.
If there is just one blown fuse, you can buy one from the nearest electrical store and restock it. But what if there are two or more blown fuses? That’s when you need to replace them with new ones.
#7- Solenoid Malfunction
If your car door locks are clicking, but your door is not moving, then there may be a problem with your car lock’s solenoid. A solenoid is used in some cars to open and close the door.
If you have this type of car, then you should check the solenoid to see if it is making a clicking noise when you try to unlock or lock the door. You can try manually turning the locking mechanism to see if it will open or close.
There are several reasons why your car door may malfunction. But fortunately, most of these problems can be easily fixed by hiring a professional car locksmith. Contact Green Locks & Keys at (972) 421-8809 for car opening.