Doors not latching in cold weather

[pabiehl]

I'm new to posting/forums so if I'm doing something wrong please let me know.

I have a 2007 Sky whcih I got in December '06.

After a relatively cold night last night (14 degrees F), I opened my doors this morning and when I tried to close them neither would latch. It wasn't a moist evening - no rain/snow/no windows to scrape. After repeatedly trying I was finally able to close them but wasn't confident enough they'd stay latched to risk driving it to work. Has any one else expeienced this? I never experienced this problem last winter. Help?

[Rick Tinley Park]

Welcome to the forum....
While my SKY does not see too much winter driving, I have had other cars not latch. It really isn't the moistness of the last night but all the times before.... If you car gets wet (rain, washing etc) on a regular basis it could have gotten water into the latches. Solution? Well let's ask a couple of ?? first
When it warmed up -- no more problems? (If it is 40 degrees and still not working -- TAKE it in!)
Any trace of water on the latch(es)? Droplets etc

First thing -- once it seems to be working OK. Squirt some WD40 into the mechinism. Also, make sure the latch moves freely (you should be able to latch/open and close the doors) by hand. If so -- is there a lightweight grease on the parts?? There should be -- You can buy it -- or next time you are in for an oil change ask them to lube it. You can wipe off some of the excess but leave a film on there in winter.
That should work.

As far as opening on their own -- Car doors are designed to only open by the handle -- so if it latched closed -- It won't open by itself....
I have had them not latch on my 2001 Tracker a few times and once I lubed it and WD'd it -- no more problems... I also used a moisture displacer (Spray)
Best to ya and your SKY!

[pabiehl]

Thanks. Since it's only going into the 20's today I'll be able to see if there's still aproblem when I get home from work. Someone else mentioned the WD40 trick to me so I plan to try that. Thanks for the input.

[Rick Tinley Park]

Originally Posted by pabiehl

Thanks. Since it's only going into the 20's today I'll be able to see if there's still aproblem when I get home from work. Someone else mentioned the WD40 trick to me so I plan to try that. Thanks for the input.

A tip.... Since it is still cold - make sure you put the WD40 in the house for a few hours. It will be 60-70 degrees and will melt ice as it lubricates. DO NOT HEAT the can as it will explode.
Hope it works!

[Rob the Elder]

Interesting

Usually the problem I have is the doors freeze shut. Very difficult to open.

It sounds like the lubircant in the door latch mechanism is getting cold and hanging up the mechanism. If you can get the door closed and latched it should be just fine. Its a mechanical latch and once its latched it should be ok.

You can try WD40 as a temporary fix but you might also hit it with a hair dryer for a couple of minutes if its handy.