Drivers Door Will not open in cold weather

d6709 · Dec 16, 2010

Hi

Has anyone experienced any problems on the patriot with the drivers door not opening, if the temperature gets near to 0c. If so was it a dealer issue for any mods to the door locks etc.

Thanks for any advice.

Tony

Scottg173 · Dec 16, 2010

It has been very cold here in the mornings the past week (around 10F) and i noticed all the doors gave me a hard time when opening. It sounded like there was frozen water in the door handles. It has been 15-20f the past few days and hasn't given me that problem since.

Weatherman · Dec 17, 2010

I had mine freeze shut the other morning after work. It had snowed, then rained, then froze. So, lots of water to get inside the cracks and then freeze. I wouldn't call a defect as much as I would say that its just a part of the environment. You can drive a Kia Rio or a Ferrari and mother nature will still have her way with you when she feels like it

chateaupierre · Dec 17, 2010

What do you think is the cause of "... the drivers door not opening" ? Frozen lock, unresponsive door handle/inside latch, or frozen weatherstripping?

In any case, drive your vehicle to an underground garage in some office tower or shopping mall, and let things thaw out for half a day. I assume you can enter the Jeep via the passenger door. Most unheated underground parking garages' temperature is a few degrees above freezing.

Then clean the weatherstripping and door edges with a rag; use generous amount of silicon spray on all contact surfaces; Also spray the silicon into the key slots and into any cracks around the handle and latch. The spray can comes with a fine straw-like nozzle attachment. 4WD spray is ok too.

Been there, done that.

Afmcronnie · Dec 17, 2010

I havent had this happen in my Pat, and its been butt-numbimg cold. 0c isnt really THAT cold. The silicone trick mentioned above is a winner. I've done that for years with other vehicles. The silicone prevents ice from sticking to the gasket and the metal door.

d6709 · Dec 17, 2010

Have just spoken to the dealer and they have admitted there is a problem with the solenoid in the doors which throws the latch, allowing you to open the door and the car has to come back in to have these replaced for a new design. Which should stop this problem

Urr · Dec 17, 2010

chateaupierre said:
Then clean the weatherstripping and door edges with a rag; use generous amount of silicon spray on all contact surfaces;

Spray does the work. One or maybe two times per winter is enough. Keeps the weatherstripping undamaged. I've tested it with several vehicles with temperatures down to -35 C.

Oh, and when you go to a car wash, then dry the weatherstripping with a cloth and/or drive after that for at least a half hour to get it dry. Or just let it dry with doors open for ten minutes if this is possible somewhere.

PS. Your Jeep has 5 doors, so your odds are good to get in

. At least one of the doors would open with remote if you are not completely out of luck.

tiptronic · Dec 17, 2010

Yep its a solenoid Problem !! Jeep know about it --It was a defective batch of locks in earlier models. Not enough grease applied during manufacture allowing water into the moving part & freezing up. My dealer knew all about it & replaced the drivers side lock under warranty. No further problems after that. Strange that I didnt get the same prob. with my Caliber or now with my Avenger. I do believe that some 300C's were also affected!!

Pat · Dec 17, 2010

Same problem here, in the last recent cold snap it was -8c, the lock appears to operate but the door wont budge from the inside or outside. The handles just seem to be disconnected. When the temperature rises the door opens. Sounds like the dealers have the key to this one....sorry!

cherkhan · Dec 17, 2010

Lock

Yes it is a known problem. Just ensure your dealer actually replaces the lock and not 'botches' it to work.

I had Jeep breakdown come out to mine 3 times and insisting to the dealer it had to be replaced. Dealer did not have a lock (after 3 weeks off the road) so made an adjustment'. Stupidly I let them leave the details on replacing the lock on the invoice even though they never fitted it............which they now swear they did.

Not that it matters that much as I have not had any problems since. Though I did join the RAC when the cold weather started

Jeepskate · Dec 17, 2010

Might want to put a tiny scratch on the lock to make sure it is replaced. Sad when you can't trust a dealership but that's life these days.

ColoradoMan · Dec 17, 2010

My ford escort does the same thing. I guess what happens is when the door is opened some moisture gets on the rim of the door and then when its closed, it freezes and makes it more difficult to open, i bet all the locks and stuff work fine its just like the door is superglued to its frame. It took me a few tugs to get mine open but I bet this is the same problem the patriot is having and probably all vehicles have especially if they are left outside.

Drivers Door Will not open in cold weather

d6709

Scottg173

Weatherman

chateaupierre

Afmcronnie

d6709

Urr

tiptronic

Pat

cherkhan

Jeepskate

ColoradoMan

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