Key won't turn in driver-side door

[Steven Garry]

First, this is not due to the cold; it has been like this during the summer months too. (I recently got the car.)

If I lock the driver-side door before I get out of the car, I'll have to go in from the passenger side; because the driver-side door will not open from the outside.

I put the key in door. And it won't turn (left nor right). If I go in from the passenger side I can unlock the driver-side door from the inside. But the key does not open the door. (The door-handle works fine.)

Has anybody had this problem, or know how much something like this is going to cost to fix?

Thanks.

[biggie]

First thing I'd try would be squirting some WD40 or graphite in the key hole.

Otherwise, I'd recommend a locksmith or installing a keyless entry.

[DeXteR]

sounds to me like your key cylinder is seized up. If you can't get it to work with lubrication, you might need to pull it out and rebuild it or replace it.

[ishkabibble]

Use graphite, NOT WD40. Don't use too much graphite - it will crunk up the lock.

If that doesn't work, your key or lock may be worn.

[slip69]

same thing happened to me!!! i hate having to go through the passengers side so i just leave it unlocked if im going anywhere thats in and out. when i park it at home overnight i lock it and in the morning when i take my son to school i let him open my side i'll try lubricating it with KY ...i mean WD40

[ishkabibble]

In the short term, the solvent portion of WD40 will wash away other lubricants and make your key nice and oily. In the long term, the WD40 petroleum base will remain and collect dirt which will gunk up your locks.

Go ahead and use WD40; Nissan could use the profit from the replacement lock set you'll be buying in the future.

[slip69]

thanks for the heads up buddy i'll wait till the weekend to get graphite. i almost went outside to use the wd40 but decided to check here for any updates, good thing i did!

[ishkabibble]

Cool. Remember, don't load the lock up with graphite.

What I do: Two "squirts" of graphite directly into the lock, put the key in and out several times and move it around. Then try to get the lock to turn. Then try a third "squirt" if two doesn't do the trick.

[chinky2486]

Does it really work because I am having the same problem but the thing that I noticed that it wont turn when its cold but after I am done driving to where ever I am going I try my key again and it turns but then it doesn't a few hours later. I want to try squirting the graphite but I was thinking about it getting looked at before I do so....

[ishkabibble]

Try lock de-icer for that. Sounds like you have condensation inside the lock cylinder.

[chinky2486]

THANX!!! I will try that

[DoctorRobert]

I do the same thing with my car, because it doesn't unlock from the drivers side... but my key turns completely around, round, round... and never catches.

[slip69]

I do the same thing with my car, because it doesn't unlock from the drivers side... but my key turns completely around, round, round... and never catches.

mine did the same , so i took a look inside the door and the freaking metal piece that attaches to the door lock is broken. so i need a whole new lock system or just go keyless entry alarm