What Are the Reasons Why a Car's Mechanical Key Cannot Open the Door?
2 Answers
Mechanical key cannot open the door for the following reasons: 1. Incorrect operation—wrong direction of turning the key. In most cases, turning the key clockwise unlocks the door, while turning it counterclockwise locks it. 2. The lock cylinder is faulty. Most car owners use remote keys to unlock or lock the door, rarely using the mechanical key. The keyhole may rust due to prolonged disuse. You can try adding some engine oil into the lock cylinder to lubricate it and see if it can be opened. If it still doesn’t work, the lock cylinder may need to be replaced. 3. The mechanical key is faulty. In most cases, the mechanical key doesn’t have major issues, but if there is a problem, it might be due to a poorly duplicated key.
Once when I tried to open my car door, the mechanical key wouldn't turn. I figured it might be due to the key being worn out from long-term use, with the grooves becoming shallower, causing it to not match the lock cylinder when inserted. Alternatively, dust or rust inside the lock cylinder might have caused it to jam. In such cases, don't force the key to turn, as it could damage either the key or the lock. You can try spraying some WD-40 lubricant and gently turning the key a few times. If the door is frozen, using a hot air blower can also help. Later, I started regularly checking the key's grooves and keeping it clean, which reduced such incidents. Also, when replacing a car key, make sure it's properly matched, otherwise it won't work. For safety, if the key can't open the door, it might involve the anti-theft system, so it's advisable to have the internal components checked at a repair shop to prevent minor issues from becoming major ones.
