My wife just joined the Jeep world. That being said I am now responsible for every "scary sound" that there is and many other things. However... the door lock cylinders are seizing up and sometimes it takes a lot of finagling to finally break them free. I have tried using some Kroil rust penetrant but no luck. any suggestions or should I just replace them. Thanks!

 

Just replace them.

 

that sucks. Was hoping for a better solution haha. I know this is a common thing but I have never had it this bad. Off to autozone I suppose

 

Spray silicone or white lithium grease stick plastic straw that comes with them right in key hole and spray it then work them back and fort. May take a few times but it works.

 

Yup.

 

Is this a recent development in the cold? If yes then you may have some water freezing up in there. Had that happen on an old pickup. Lubed them up and it made no difference until I got the water out.

 

yes and no. they were always kind of sticky but now they have almost completely seized up in the colder weather. How did you get the water out??? and I will certainly try the lithium grease.

 

I sprayed a ton of Brake cleaner into my locks, followed by silicone spray. Seemed to do the trick in my case.

 

well then... haha I will give it a go. thanks!

 

Heated up the key and inserted it into the lock. Did this a couple times to thaw it out so I could get in the truck. Pulled the cylinders out of the door then baked them in the oven to dry them out. Lubed them up real good with Silicone lube and reassembled everything. Every year after that I just make sure I spray some lube in there before the weather turns cold and haven't had a problem since. I don't know if that is the best or easiest way to do it, but it worked for me. Good luck.

 

Is the key a copy or the original? Sometimes a bad copy or a worn original will stop turning smoothly. It also seems (at least for me) that the ignition cylinder is more tolerant of bad keys than the door locks are so it may seem like a door cylinder problem.

 

did this a few times with good results.

spray brakekleen into keyhole. not much is needed. just enough to spray out any water that might be in there.
give a few minutes to make sure its all evaporated out. prolly doesn't take that long. brakekleen evaporates pretty quick.
next spray a small amount of a product called "lock-ease" i think you can get it at napa. but basically it is a graphite compound with different brands at different stores.
then work your key in and out and cycle the lock a few times.

this has worked for me many times. but the stuff is a little messy so try not to use too much or the next day you will see a black nasty liquid running down your door.

 

Graphite compound doesn't seize up in cold weather like grease does.

That said, I have had good success with PB Blaster.

 

If the weather flap is missing on the escutcheon you are better off just replacing. Without the flap it's impossible to keep the water out, which of course will always freeze solid.

 

yes well said about the weather flap. absolutely correct. and i love pb blaster but i am hesitant on using on something that im not taking apart. that stuff will eat away at any kind of seal or anything inside there.