Frozen door key mechanism

[millarg]

Morning All,

both of my driver and passenger key mechanisms in the door handles are completely frozen, impossible to turn the key.

Been this way for ages, just trying to sort out now that the doors are apart for other reasons.

Key will not turn at all.

Removed drivers handle and have been soaking in penetrating oil, but still no movement, completely frozen.

Question 1, is there anything internal which would melt should a put in the oven 200F for awhile.

Question 2, is question 1 a ridiculous idea - these handles are probably a 3-4 on a scale of 1-5

TIA

[kerthunk]

I wouldn't put it in the oven. I can't imagine it having any benefit and you may end up melting the little gasket around the lock cylinder. The locks are super simple mechanisms. If you already have the handles off, then it is one more screw to pull out the lock cylinder. All you need to do is put a key into the lock so that the tumblers don't come flying out when you pull the cylinder. Then you unscrew the lock arm from the back of the cylinder (the back side from where you put the key in). The lock cylinder should come sliding out the front. From here, you will see that the lock itself (handle side) is just a hole with slots at the top and bottom. On the cylinder side, when the key is in, it pulls all of the tumblers flat to allow the cylinder to rotate. When there is no key, the tumblers sit in the slots and prevent the cylinder from moving. If any of the tumblers are sticking out of the cylinder more than a 1/16" or so, then you found your problem.

You can carefully pull the key out of the cylinder with your fingers over the tumblers to prevent the springs from launching the tumblers out. You can then pull all of the tumblers and their springs out to clean everything up. Just be sure to keep track of which tumbler went into which slot or your key won't work anymore!

[shadowjack1]

You have the right key? Just asking.

[millarg]

Thanks guys,

I've already taken out the screw from the back on the lock and removed the part which move the actual lock.

I think that years of dirt and corrosion have just ceased the whole thing up, if I tap on the back of the lock, where the screw was located, should this push the lock mechanism out of the handle (I can put the key in place first to secure tumblers).

When I bought her (12 years ago) locks worked, but I never used (its a Targa).

The original (to me) key broke in the ignition and I had to have it surgically removed and a replacement made a couple of years ago, so there could be a key issue - but I believe it to be corrosion related.

[kerthunk]

Yes, the tumbler should just slide out once the lock arm is removed. Giving it some taps with a hammer should be fine.