Ignition lock freezes in very cold weather.

[toms68cst]

I like to wake the ol' girl up a few times during the winter and get her out when it's cold enough that the roads are good and dry.

On a couple of occasions, the ignition lock has frozen up after sitting outside for a while (<10F or so) I figure there must be some moisture in there. It works fine when it's a bit warmer.

I've done some poking around on the subject and see there's some conflicting advice and warnings out there about what to use. There are a number of spray products for frozen door locks but are they safe to use on an ignition lock?

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by toms68cst

I like to wake the ol' girl up a few times during the winter and get her out when it's cold enough that the roads are good and dry.

On a couple of occasions, the ignition lock has frozen up after sitting outside for a while (<10F or so) I figure there must be some moisture in there. It works fine when it's a bit warmer.

I've done some poking around on the subject and see there's some conflicting advice and warnings out there about what to use. There are a number of spray products for frozen door locks but are they safe to use on an ignition lock?

For that I would just use some WD40. That is what it was designed to do, remove moisture. Spray it right into the key hole, let it set for a little while then blow it out with air pressure, either an air hose set on about 20# or a canned air product used for computers and stuff.

I am betting though that the light grease they use to lubricate the inside of the switch is starting to harden. If the WD40 doesn't work you might try heating up the back of the switch with a heat gun or your wife's hair dryer. (don't tell her I told you to do that though..... You want to get it fairly warm but Just take it a little easy on the heat. Then insert the key and turn it on and off a few times. --- Report back.

LockDoc

[toms68cst]

Thanks Leon. I was hoping you would chime in. I'll give some WD40 a try when it warms up a bit which will be next June here in Bismarck!

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by toms68cst

Thanks Leon. I was hoping you would chime in. I'll give some WD40 a try when it warms up a bit which will be next June here in Bismarck!

I predict a big heat wave for you in the next week or two, then you can jump on it...

LockDoc

[cericd]

I recently moved from TX to CO and noticed that my key was sticking going in and out of my ignition. While researching lubricants I ran across one that seems to deal specifically with freezing temps and is dielectric. I ended up using something else, which isn't dielectric, but seriously thought about getting a can of this for while we're living up here where it gets cold. It's called LPS 1. The only place I could find it locally was Ace Hardware.

If these marketing videos aren't bogus, the stuff looks like it might be just the thing for frigid places.

Freezing: https://youtu.be/S3AyAYyAqQk

Moisture displacement: https://youtu.be/7s3Pilu7K0s

[Boog]

It seems like I have seen a product called Lockease in some hardware store. I've always used graphite.

[LockDoc]

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I just had a friend give me a partial can of this to try.

https://www.americankeysupply.com/pr...cant-11oz-2713

I had never heard of it before. Says it had been used by locksmiths for 30 years.

As a professional locksmith I do not recommend any graphite product for lubing locks.

LockDoc

[CG]

We have those at Lowes. Small cans usually hanging on what we call a Jhook those little extra items that arent on a shelf, but hanging right on the beam between racks.

[Boog]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

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As a professional locksmith I do not recommend any graphite product for lubing locks.

LockDoc

I find that odd Doc. Powdered graphite, non aerosol, is all I've ever used since the 60s in home and auto lock cylinders and have never had a problem with it.
Image file:

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by Boog

I find that odd Doc. Powdered graphite, non aerosol, is all I've ever used since the 60s in home and auto lock cylinders and have never had a problem with it.

The reason I don't recommend using graphite is because most people don't know how to use it. It is a good lubricant in small amounts but there is no way to regulate how much you are dispensing from the container and it builds up inside the lock with each use. I have disassembled lock cylinders that had so much graphite in them that the key wouldn't slide all the way into the lock. When it gets wet it turns into a gummy mess. Powdered is actually the worst.

I recommend using something like "ZEP45 with Teflon" or "Blaster Advanced Dry Lube" with Teflon. They contain a dry lube but it is micro fine particles. I find that the Blaster works the best for locks.

LockDoc
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[Boog]

Yeah, I could see that. I'm one of those 'little dab'll do ya' users.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by Boog

Yeah, I could see that. I'm one of those 'little dab'll do ya' users.

That's good. I would flush the locks out every once in a while with some penetrating oil or something similar.

LockDoc

[bry593]

My guess is that the OE grease on the switch rack and linkage is old and hard. It does do this after 50 years. Could also be that someone "lubricated" it with moly wheel bearing grease. Not all greases are pliable in freezing weather. I've found that white lithium works well (also good for window regulators). Believe it or not, that red wheel bearing grease from wal-mart also works very well at low temps. I actually experimented with red, moly, polyurea and lubriplate white lithium. Put dollops of each on a plate and put in the freezer overnight. Then it was simply poking at each to see which was most solid. Red was actually slightly more pliable than white. Go figure.....

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by bry593

My guess is that the OE grease on the switch rack and linkage is old and hard. It does do this after 50 years. Could also be that someone "lubricated" it with moly wheel bearing grease. Not all greases are pliable in freezing weather. I've found that white lithium works well (also good for window regulators). Believe it or not, that red wheel bearing grease from wal-mart also works very well at low temps. I actually experimented with red, moly, polyurea and lubriplate white lithium. Put dollops of each on a plate and put in the freezer overnight. Then it was simply poking at each to see which was most solid. Red was actually slightly more pliable than white. Go figure.....

I think you are thinking of the newer trucks with the switch in the column. These trucks have the switch in the dash and do not have the rack and linkage. There is a little lube inside the switch body but not much.

LockDoc

[body bolt]

Originally Posted by Boog

It seems like I have seen a product called Lockease in some hardware store. I've always used graphite.

Just today I used that in the lock on my club. Good as new now.

[bry593]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

I think you are thinking of the newer trucks with the switch in the column. These trucks have the switch in the dash and do not have the rack and linkage. There is a little lube inside the switch body but not much.

LockDoc

You are correct. Hell, I drive a '71 and the key is in the dash.

I think it was '69 or '70 when Fed required cars (apparently not trucks) to go to locking column. I've done a few of 'em and find the grease is always hardened up.