Frozen door latches...easy remedy!

[skiboats]

I have read many treads about the frozen door latches. The new upgraded carrier, people not being able to open the door or they get it open and it won't close.

It has happened to me 3 times now when it gets in the low teens. Door opens but won't latch shut. So far only on the drivers door, of course the most annoying. One time I got it shut, then it would not open and all 6.3 of me had to drag myself out the passenger side. It heals after it gets warm.

I know the feeling when I pull on the door handle and it opens, but you can just feel that it did not free up the cable and it won't close. It's nice driving around trying to hold the door shut.

I have searched this board, and read a lot but this solution might just be the ticket.

It happened to me last night, very cold here in Buffalo, so I called the dealer. The service advisor knew all about it as well as the service upgrade.

He told me to put some antifreeze in a spray bottle and spray the latches and to open the small access opening just above the latches and spray inside there as well. Said antifreeze has plenty of lubricants in it as well as not freezing, that it has been suggested to quite a few customers with excellent results. Made sense to me.

So I tried his suggestion.

This morning it was 3, we are up to a whopping 5 now. The door flew open and closed perfectly. So far so good.

Supposed to be really cold here for the next week we will see how it works.

Thought I would pass this along. Even if you keep some in the trunk it's sure a lot better than trying to use a hair dryer or hot water that will only freeze again.

[mrbmwx5]

tips.

[djbock]

Great idea, never would have thought of that!

[X5 Meister]

Great tip. Can you post some pictures of where exactly you sprayed to make this thread complete? Also do you know when the new upgraded carrier was implemented?

[skiboats]

I can't open the door!!........Just kidding.

Not sure about the updated carrier, although there are some threads here about it.

It is the middle portion that pops out. At first I tried prying out the whole thing.

[skiboats]

There was a picture posted on the first page of this thread. Pry out the inside of the red circled black access plug. Spray in there and the latches. All 4 doors are the same.

So far I have done it once.

[skiboats]

So after 5 days of near zero, I have had no issues.

I developed the NAD'S to wash it today.

Upper teens and doors are smooth and nice.

[simply x]

thanks!! i'll try that tonight!!

[Brit6]

Hrm, i wonder if this will work if your actuator is going?

[X5 Meister]

Great picture and great tip. Again, thanks. If you can get a part number for the actuators that would make this thread invaluable!