+++ Door and trunk lock won't open +++

I have a 1989 760 Turbo that the door locks ceased to turn. A few months ago
the driver side lock wouldn't open, simply won't turn, as if I were using
the wrong key. I managed to go through the hassle of opening up the
passenger side door first so I can lift the lock up on the driver side to
let myself in. Up until yesterday the same key would unlock both the
passenger side door and the trunk however now the trunk lock refused to turn
as well. So thinking it was simply a well worn out key I called Volvo to
order a brand new replacement. Well $40.00 (Canadian) dollars later I got my
new key and of course it didn't work, it opened the passenger side door and
that's all, driver side and trunk still won't open even with a squirt of
WD-40.

Has anyone had this experience and most importantly does anyone have a
solution?

Thanks in advance,

Norbert

 

I have used an automotive key and lock spray solvent from Advance
Auto/AutoZone/Pep Boys/etc with excellent results. Over time the door lock
became more difficult to use, until one day the key could not turn the lock.
It was summer, so it wasn't frozen with water.

I sprayed it in the lock opening, then tried and the lock still would not
open but it was easier to get the key in and out. So I took a few minutes
and inserted/removed the key repeatedly, then gently twisted it up and down
repeatedly, until finally it broke free and unlocked the door. I sprayed
more and repeated the process a few times. I haven't had any more problems
with it.

Good luck,

NCMan

 

Don't use WD-40 for this; it's not a lubricant and will wash out what
little might still be in there.

For the door, spray a real oil in through the key opening, if that doesn't
free it up promptly, open the door from the inside, pull the interior panel,
and spray the lock cylinder, top and bottom. This would be a good time to
apply grease (not spray oil) to every moving part of the lock mechanism and
linkage. Make sure nothing is stuck or binding. If you have power windows,
clean and lube the track, too.

If you don't have an inside trunk release, try spraying oil into the key
opening of the lock and hope it works loose. If you have an inside release,
open the trunk and spray the cylinder as well as as through the key opening,
grease the linkages as above.


Gary

 

No wet lubricant should EVER be used in a lock. Locks need to be kept
clean and dry for proper operation and long life. Wet lubes will work
for the short term, but they draw dirt and when they dry out will
cause a lock to stick and eventually it won't work. The best thing is
proper maintenance and the best lubricant in dry graphite powder once
or twice a year. Next is a wet lube that dries completely leavuing a
dry lube behind (dri-slide?).

If a lock is sticking then the best thing is to remove it, clean it,
dry it, and lube it properly before replacing it.

Which reminds me... it's time to clean the rest of the door mechanisms
and locks! ;-)

__ __
Randy & \ \/ /alerie's
\__/olvos
'90 245 Estate - '93 965 Estate
"Shelby" & "Kate"

 

Here in UK it is standard practice to use a door lock lubricant spray to
keep the locks from freezing in wet winter weather. All the British
manufacturers had such a spray on their parts listing for purchase from
dealers. It is also recommended by Volvo AG (Swedish factories) so should be
fine. Incidentally if any of you have worked on Fat Man (American 6,000lb
Atom Bomb), as I have, you will realise the benefits of WD40. It was the
ONLY lubricant/anti-freeze agent recommended for the electrical connectors
on the Bomb Carrier which hooked up in the Bomb Bay with Fat Man on it. The
Bomb Bay was subject to extreme cold (less than -55 degs C). I have always
used WD40 with enormous success, for this sort of job, as it is excellent at
repelling water and water-based infiltrants (made the word up but it seems
to fit).

All the best, Peter.

700/900/90 Register Keeper,
Volvo Owners Club (UK).

 

Odd, I thought WD-40 was developed in 1953 and first sold for use on the
Atlas missile program, which was some years after Fat Man--a 1945 design.

When did you work with Fat Man?


Gary

 

Peter, I did not realize that WD-40 was available in 1945 in pressurized cans i
presume. Thanks for this 1st hand information!

Ken
Canada

 

Fat man had to work only once

Although WD40 is not a lubricant it sometimes works by dissolving and
carrying some of the leftover lubricant in the desired location. WD40 than
evaporates leaving some of the original lubricant behind. Use too much and
you wash everything out like here already someone said. WD40 is also great
for torching tent caterpillar nests but I digress.



Regards,

Boris Mohar

Got Knock? - see:
Viatrack Printed Circuit Designs (among other things) http://www.viatrack.ca

void _-void-_ in the obvious place

 

Speaking of military works and flammable substances....

My dad worked on a number of military contracts as a machinist back in
the 60's. he would bring home coffee cans filled with magnesium alloy
shavings from his job and for 4th of July we would set off a pile of
them on a concrete slab and then hit it with the hose. Couldn't see
for about 10 minutes afterwards, but it sure was a lot of fun!


__ __
Randy & \ \/ /alerie's
\__/olvos
'90 245 Estate - '93 965 Estate
"Shelby" & "Kate"

 

Count me as one who hates locks that have been WD-40'd. Maybe it only occurs
in high temperature areas, but I have encountered a lot of locks at work
(when I was in the Phoenix area) that were sprayed when WD-40 was legal for
linemen to carry. (It is flammable, so they have to use silicone now.) WD-40
turns to a gum in a year or so, and spraying anything in the lock except
more WD-40 will change it from being sticky to barely (or even not) turning
at all. WD-40 will redissolve the goo... if you can get the key out.
Padlocks that have been sprayed with WD-40 aren't worth messing with.

Mike

 

Early 60s. We were ringed with Thor bases till they shipped them out from
our airfield. As you say it was developed in 1953 and used worldwide by most
armed forces, not just for missiles.

All the best, Peter.

 

Don't be silly Ken. Fat Man was operational until around 1961/2.

All the best, Peter.

 

Perhaps it was poor quality locks made from any old crap.

All the best, Peter.

 

I have read the thread with some interest. Being a Swede, living in this
Godforsaken country where the cars are made, I often experience lock problems
due to the massive amount of salt used on the skid-roads we have here
wintertime. Salt and dirt clogs up the locks effectively. The remedy is in two
stages: 1/ Lock cleaner and 2/ Lock lubricant. Now, I have no experience of what
WD40 is, over here we have an excellent lock manufacturer named ASSA-Abloy
issuing their own sprays to do the job. And it never fails. So my advise is to
either get a) something to dissolve the goey stuff clogging your lock and 2) a
lubricant that is not sensitive to moist or great temperature variations.
However I would advise against using any Mo-sprays.
The other alternative is to unmount the lock cylinders and clean them i
kerosene, diesel-fuel or equivalent and then lubricate with heavy grease.
However, doing this will require yearly makeover I'm afraid.

Cheers / Johan