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PASSENGER DOOR LOCK STICKING LOCKED - O.K. TO SPRAY SILICONE

4K views 18 replies 5 participants last post by  popeye55 
#1 ·
Hello All,

My Xtrail`s passenger door lock keeps sticking in the locked position - I have been able to get it open by jiggling the outer handle and the unlock `switch` together through the open window so I wondered if it would be O.K. to use a Silicone Lubricant spray [Halfords / cleaner than WD 40] to spray the lubricant into the Lock mechanism at the side of the door regarding not causing a problem with the Electrical connections / Electrical operation of the Lock ?

I don`t really want to use WD 40 because of it probably dripping down inside the Door / onto the Sill etc. or getting onto people`s clothes when getting in and out even if wiped off the side of the door.

I know from other threads on the Forum that if this `Lock not unlocking` / `Door not opening` problem gets worse either the Lock would need replacing or at least the Door card would have to come off to try and check the other parts of the Locking mechanism so I am hoping that lubricating the Lock by spraying Silicone lubricant into it from the side of the door will `Free it Up` ?

As I am posting this on the Forum I hope that it is permissible to also ask about this:

I have not had to adjust my Xtrail`s Electric Side Mirrors for a very long time until a couple of days ago but when I tried to do so neither of the Mirrors would move using the adjustment buttons.

The Engine was running and I even revved up slightly when I tried the Mirror adjustment buttons again - still the Mirrors did not move.

I am guessing that the Mirrors have gotten stuck because they have not been moved for so long ?

What do Members think about this:

I personally would NOT try Lubricating the Mirror adjusting mechanisms by spraying Silicone Lubricant or WD 40 into the Mirror housings without other Members advice in case the Lubricant caused problems with the Electrical connections or damaged the Mirror surfaces / Mirror housing surfaces or other Vehicle surfaces ?

Any thoughts ?

Regards,

Chris
 
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#2 ·
Hello Chris.I have had the same problem over the years.I would suggest you take off the doorcard while you can open the door,as in the end the door will not open ,and you would then not be able to open the door to remove the doorcard.I had to cut mine out in the end.One time my son and i tried to prise the top of the card wirh a screwdriver and shattered the window.Take the door card off and and give it a good spray with WD40.Card back on and the spray will not bother anyone.Regarding Mirrors .Have yo checked the fuse..i know..silly question.Good Luck.Regards Barry
 
#3 ·
rufusbarry said:
Hello Chris.I have had the same problem over the years.I would suggest you take off the doorcard while you can open the door,as in the end the door will not open ,and you would then not be able to open the door to remove the doorcard.I had to cut mine out in the end.One time my son and i tried to prise the top of the card wirh a screwdriver and shattered the window.Take the door card off and and give it a good spray with WD40.Card back on and the spray will not bother anyone.Regarding Mirrors .Have yo checked the fuse..i know..silly question.Good Luck.Regards Barry
PS.Spray all working parts.Baz
 
#6 ·
Hello rufusbarry, Colster and AMB,

Thank you all for replying to my thread.

rufusbarry - Thanks for your warning about the Lock possibly jamming and me not being able to open the door and having to cut off the door card - that is the last thing that I want to happen.

However - initially I wanted to TRY lubricating the Door Lock without having to take off the door card because I feel that it is likely that the actual Electronic Lock internal mechanism that is sticking and I don`t know whether I would be able to lubricate the Lock via any other openings [in the Lock] rather than the `Latch lever hole` via the side of the door even if the door card was off ?

I do have a diagram of the Xtrail Door Lock mechanism [attached here] but that does not help to show whether the Lock housing has other Lubrication points - do You remember there being any other openings in the actual housing where a lubricant can be sprayed in ?

The front passenger door has only been opened about 10 times in the last year and my Xtrail is now 15 years old so I am guessing that rather than the sticking problem being the other parts of the mechanism / Cables or Rods [?] it is more likely to be within the Lock housing.

Obviously this is a pure guess but I would like to try lubricating the Lock by spraying in `Liquid Silicone Lubricant` IF I can find out that it will NOT cause a problem with the `Electronics` within the Lock or the Electrical connections ?

Colster - Thanks for replying and advising about the Mirror switch Right / Left selector switch - I did know about that - I was switching it to select both mirrors when I was trying to adjust them so it was not in the `mid position`.

I think that I saw a slight movement of one of the mirrors when I was trying to adjust them - but I will try to find the Fuse and check it.

I am guessing that because the mirrors have not needed adjusting for a long time and during the last year there have been quite a few times when the Xtrail has been covered in `Sahara Dust` and because of the Corona virus I have not been able to get the car washed - that some Sahara Dust has been washed into the Mirror housings by rain and then dried out to Jam up the mirror moving mechanism.

Although that obviously sounds strange there has been a LOT of the Sahara Dust during the last year.

I know that this seems a bit `Far fetched` / Hard to believe but several times during the past few years vehicles in my area [and probably the whole of London ?] have been absolutely covered in the Sahara Dust - so much so that my BLACK Xtrail looked BROWN !

AMB - although I mentioned WD40 in my original message I wrote that I wanted to avoid using it which is why I thought of the much cleaner / non smelling Liquid Silicone Lubricant - but I am concerned as to whether it would affect the Lock Electronics / Electrical connections ?

Thanks again to you all for your replies.

Chris
 

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#7 ·
Hello All,

I have been searching online about Liquid Silicone lubricant spray and its use on Electrical connections - there are conflicting statements - most articles / information that I read warn against Silicone lubricant coming into contact with Electrical connections but some state that it is safe to use in contact with them but that it can insulate between contacts etc.

There are mentions about `dielectric silicone grease` for use on Electrical connections but that is not what I have.

My `Three in One` Liquid Silicone Lubricant is from Halfords - the product details does mention use on `Electrical parts` and mentions Automotive components but I still don`t know whether it would be safe to spray into the Xtrail Door Lock:

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/engin ... 76096.html

Now I really need to try and find out whether there are Electrical connections / exposed Electrical contacts actually INSIDE the Door Lock ?

Unless I can find that out [which I doubt] I will now have to decide that I should NOT spray ANYTHING into the Xtrail door lock.

I think that I would have to be VERY Lucky if any Members know the Electrical component / Electrical contacts details inside the Xtrail Door Lock ?

I would still welcome any further messages.

Thanks to all Members / Readers for your interest and for your replies.

Chris
 
#8 ·
Hi Chris,
Silicone lubricants will almost certainly foul electrical contacts if between them. Though you may be lucky and the current burn through. I'd be concerned about a sticky residue which could attract further contaminants. If you have a can try spraying on a test surface, leaving overnight and then assessing.

Dielectric grease is usually used for high voltage cabling.

Locksmiths used to advise that only dry lubricants be used in locks because liquid/solid would collect grit etc and clag the lock. They still do - though I was laughed at by a local locksmith when I tried to buy graphite lock lubricant a few months back. Although that had been the standard recommendation years ago, they now use a PTFE/Teflon based dry lubricant. I bought a can of WD40 Specialist PTFE Dry Lubricant to use on my front door lock and it made a fantastic difference and continues to do so over a year later.

Good luck
 
#9 ·
AMB said:
Hi Chris,
Silicone lubricants will almost certainly foul electrical contacts if between them. Though you may be lucky and the current burn through. I'd be concerned about a sticky residue which could attract further contaminants. If you have a can try spraying on a test surface, leaving overnight and then assessing.

Dielectric grease is usually used for high voltage cabling.

Locksmiths used to advise that only dry lubricants be used in locks because liquid/solid would collect grit etc and clag the lock. They still do - though I was laughed at by a local locksmith when I tried to buy graphite lock lubricant a few months back. Although that had been the standard recommendation years ago, they now use a PTFE/Teflon based dry lubricant. I bought a can of WD40 Specialist PTFE Dry Lubricant to use on my front door lock and it made a fantastic difference and continues to do so over a year later.

Good luck
Hello AMB,

Thanks for your message and for the recommendation for the WD40 Dry PTFE /Teflon lubricant spray.

I do know how good PTFE is as a lubricant spray or as a thread sealer [the Tape] because I am a Heating Engineer, Plumber & Gas Engineer who has been using both for decades and I had thought about getting that type of Spray lubricant to use on the Xtrail`s Door Lock.

However - I thought that the PTFE spray would almost definitely cause problems if it came into contact with Electrical connections / went between Electrical contacts because although it would probably be only a very thin `Film`on connections or between any contacting surfaces I think that it would have slight `insulating` properties which could cause problems especially with 12 volt connections / contacting surfaces ?

I have looked at the Product Information today for the WD40 PTFE Dry lubricant and there is no mention about use on Electrical components or Electrical connections / contacts.

As I mentioned in my previous message / update the product information for the `Three in One` brand of Liquid Silicone Lubricant that I have got does mention Electrical Automotive components as possible uses but until I can hopefully find out whether there are Electrical connections / Electrical contacts actually INSIDE the Door Lock housing I am very reluctant to spray anything into it.

Thanks again for your interest and for trying to help me I really appreciate it.

Chris
 
#10 ·
Having looked at pictures of the X trail door lock mechanism, I am confident that the mechanical elements that possibly require lubrication are isolated from the electrical elements. I would personally clean well with penetrating oil, then spray with graphite lock spray.
 
#11 ·
Colster said:
Having looked at pictures of the X trail door lock mechanism, I am confident that the mechanical elements that possibly require lubrication are isolated from the electrical elements. I would personally clean well with penetrating oil, then spray with graphite lock spray.
Hello Colster,

Thanks for your message.

Is there any chance that You could post a picture of the Xtrail Lock that you looked at attached to a message ?

I have been writing about wanting to spray whatever lubrication I use into the Door Lock from the `Latch` opening at the side of the Door - is that what you meant ?

When You suggest `cleaning well with penetrating oil`- the gaps around the Lock latch at the side of the door are not very big and although I would be using a Straw on the Spray cans I doubt whether the lubrication would get into every part of the lock mechanism ?

Also would the oil not just sit at the bottom of the Lock and also would the presence of any kind of Oil not affect Graphite Lock spray ?

If it is obtainable re. Member AMB`s comments. ?

I am grateful for your suggestions - I am not trying to contradict what you wrote - with all of the comments / questions that I have written in all of my messages I just want to explore ideas / details before I go ahead to make sure that I don`t do anything to cause an Electrical problem which might not just affect the individual lock but perhaps cause a problem with the entire Central Locking system ?

Chris
 
#12 ·
Hi Chris

I don't feel contradicted at all. As I have said previously, you either take my advise or you don't.

I will reword my post to spray with penetrating oil as well as you can. If you work the inner and outer handles as you do so, this will help distribution.

Graphite Powder is routinely added to oils to improve lubricity, in fact that is how Graphite Grease is made.

Any excess oil will drop away harmlessly to the bottom of the door.

Link to Graphite Spray...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00BBTJ460/ ... 0BZNC1YYSH

Picture of lock mechanism
 

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#14 ·
Colster said:
Hi Chris

I don't feel contradicted at all. As I have said previously, you either take my advise or you don't.

I will reword my post to spray with penetrating oil as well as you can. If you work the inner and outer handles as you do so, this will help distribution.

Graphite Powder is routinely added to oils to improve lubricity, in fact that is how Graphite Grease is made.

Any excess oil will drop away harmlessly to the bottom of the door.

Link to Graphite Spray...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00BBTJ460/ ... 0BZNC1YYSH

Picture of lock mechanism
Hello again Colster,

Thank You very much for your reply and for the Picture of the Door Lock and the link to the Graphite Spray.

Looking at the picture and noting the fixing holes for bolting it onto the inside of the Door do You think that I am correct in thinking that even if the Door card was off I would not have anywhere to spray into it other than the `Latch slot` that I can see when the door is open ?

I am going to order some Penetrating Oil and the Graphite Lubricating Spray that You recommended.

Thanks again for your help.

Chris
 
#15 ·
rufusbarry said:
hIYA Again .What i suggest you do //while you still can/is take the doorcard off /five minute job/and spray all the moving parts you can see .If you leave until the door fails to open,you will no longer be able to to take the door card off.Yours Barry
Hello Barry,

Please don`t think that I am ignoring your advice about taking the Door card off although until I have tried `Cleaning and Lubricating the Lock` I am reluctant to do so.

Regarding it being a `5 minute job` although I do realise that you are commenting from personal experience and that the amount of Time required would not be a problem to me I know that it would take me a lot longer than that but it is not the time involved that makes me reluctant to take off the Door card it is this:

I am guessing [and it has been confirmed by a Friend who did it on a different car] that it could be something that turns out to be awkward to refit and that the existing plastic push in rivet type `fixings` would probably have to be replaced [obviously with the correct size] because they would probably break off as the Door card was pulled off or having broken when the card was pulled off they would not secure it when refitting the card ?

Also I know that there is a `Poly Membrane` attached to the Door frame that is supposed to keep any water / damp that enters the Door from the Window rubber strips away from the back of the Door card ?

That would have to be detached from at least 3 sides to spray the Penetrating Oil lubricant onto the moving parts and then re-glued onto the metal Door frame using some form of mastic like adhesive that would be suitable to keep it in position long term.

To Me even just not knowing / having the correct Adhesive to do that when I wanted to put the Poly Membrane back would be a problem - I would not want it falling down into the Door after a short period of time.

I really appreciate your advice about this Barry and I know from reading your thread about not being able to open your Xtrail`s Door that this could as you advise turn into a much more `serious problem` if the Door Lock cannot just be cleaned out with Penetrating Oil and lubricated with Graphite Spray but I just want to TRY that first.

If after `Cleaning` the internal Lock parts and the spraying with the Graphite spray I find that there is still a problem with the Lock sticking in the closed position I will definitely take the Door card off and lubricate ALL of the moving parts - although I have a feeling that the problem is being caused by the internal parts of the Lock mechanism.

Thanks again for your interest, previous experience and advise.

Chris
 
#18 ·
Hello Barry / rufusbarry and other Members who responded to my thread earlier in the year,

Sorry that I did not reply with this update sooner - just after my last message on this thread my Computer started playing up with the dreaded Bluescreen of Death happening almost every time that I turned it on making it unusable for anything that was going to take more than a few minutes which was about the amount of time that the Bluescreen was taking to appear.

I was trying for weeks to get help with the problem from various sources but that took more than 11 weeks before I could get my Computer to be stable- although I do have a lot of Data from my Computer backed up onto an External Hard Drive I did not have everything on there so I had to try and get the Computer running again properly so that I could download everything on there onto a new Hard Drive.

Because of the hassle I experienced trying to get the Computer working / identify the cause of the Bluescreen of Death which was without any doubt the most frustrating task that I have ever had to do - frustration almost every day for 11 weeks - I forgot all about my thread on here - "Sorry".

Barry - I did take your advice to remove the Door card and lubricate the Door lock mechanism.

Colster - I did buy and use the Penetrating Oil and Graphite Spray on the Door lock and other parts of the mechanism.

AMB - I did buy a PTFE Spray which I used on the Door lock before I decided to remove the Door card and clean the lock with Penetrating Oil before using the Graphite Spray which was recommended by Member Colster.

Thanks very much to the Members above who corresponded with me on this thread for your advice.

Chris
 
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