Why can't the car door lock after washing?
2 Answers
The reasons why the car door cannot lock after washing are: 1. The door lock actuator is damaged; 2. Caused by a short circuit in the wiring; 3. Signal interference in the vicinity. Precautions for car washing include: 1. Avoid washing the car under strong sunlight, as it can leave dried water marks on the body, affecting the post-wash appearance; 2. Do not use hot water, alkaline water, or water with high hardness, as these substances can damage the paint; 3. Avoid using high-pressure water streams to wash the car body, as excessive water pressure can harm the paint surface; 4. Avoid adding random detergents, as they can strip the oils from the paint surface, accelerating its aging; 5. Avoid improper wiping—use a soft cloth or clean sponge, gently wiping in the direction of water flow from top to bottom, avoiding circular or horizontal motions.
Last time after I washed my car, the door lock suddenly wouldn't latch properly. I suspect the high-pressure water jet forced water into the door lock cylinder, possibly causing internal components to rust or jam. Having driven several cars in the past, I've noticed this issue is more common with older models. If you spray water too forcefully directly at the keyhole during washing, moisture easily seeps in. You can try gently drying the keyhole with a hair dryer or applying some anti-rust lubricant spray to let it recover. If that doesn't work, you'll need to inspect the lock mechanism for wear - sometimes small sand particles can clog and cause malfunctions. My suggestion is to cover the keyhole before washing and clean it with a soft cloth to avoid such troubles.
