Trunk lift gate hard to lock & unlock with key. Fob works

[redraif]

2001 sport xls auto 4wd 3.0l

So I have one keyless fob and it works perfect on everything. All doors and trunk lock and unlock fine. So I know solenoid wise everything is in working order. And mechanically all is fine.

When I drop it at the ship I give them the spare key without the fob. Well I wanted to open the lift gate at the shop and noticed it was locked. Well I went to manually use the key and it was difficult to say the least. It felt like i was going to break or bend the key. I had to fiddle and fiddle before it finally turned. Removed flipped, removed flipped, pushed in harder, pull out a little, grab the handle and push and pull the gate a few times... Even when it turned it was not a smooth light turn of the key. It took effort. I tested it a few more times and it keeps doing this.

I assume since it works it's not electrical or mechanical. I'm leaning towards it needing lubrication. So I would need to remove the inner panel and lab things with lithium grease. What all should I hit? Where would be the main focus to alleviate the issue?

[ES_97Sport]

Jan 27, 2015 11:04:06 GMT -5 redraif said:

2001 sport xls auto 4wd 3.0l

So I have one keyless fob and it works perfect on everything. All doors and trunk lock and unlock fine. So I know solenoid wise everything is in working order. And mechanically all is fine.

When I drop it at the ship I give them the spare key without the fob. Well I wanted to open the lift gate at the shop and noticed it was locked. Well I went to manually use the key and it was difficult to say the least. It felt like i was going to break or bend the key. I had to fiddle and fiddle before it finally turned. Removed flipped, removed flipped, pushed in harder, pull out a little, grab the handle and push and pull the gate a few times... Even when it turned it was not a smooth light turn of the key. It took effort. I tested it a few more times and it keeps doing this.

I assume since it works it's not electrical or mechanical. I'm leaning towards it needing lubrication. So I would need to remove the inner panel and lab things with lithium grease. What all should I hit? Where would be the main focus to alleviate the issue?

Whohoo! I can answer this one. It had them look at my little '97 Sport the week before last. This happens a lot with the keyless entry because no one uses the key in the lock to unlock the doors and hatch and the lock cylinder gets gunked up.

I didn't have time to fiddle with it and it was below zero and I had it in for other things, so ... The tech sprayed a little PB in the lock cylinder, inserted the key and worked it back and forth. Nice and smooth now. I've used WD40 for this many times on different vehicles over the years. Both seem to work well.

Do not use any type of grease in the lock cylinders. Any type of grease will harden up over time and then you'll have to pull the lock cylinder and soak it forever get the hardened crud out. Grease also 'stiffens up' the lower the temperature gets. Even lithium. So, in low winter temps you may be in the same boat - unable to turn the key in the lock cylinder.

Edward

[redraif]

Wow just some pb blaster. Nice! I will do that tonight.

Figured it was going to be some crazy rod lubing inside...

Thank you Edward!

[ES_97Sport]

Jan 27, 2015 14:47:59 GMT -5 redraif said:

Wow just some pb blaster. Nice! I will do that tonight.

Figured it was going to be some crazy rod lubing inside...

Thank you Edward!

No worries! I'll forward the thanks on to the tech. PB never occurred to me, even though I have three cans of the stuff. LOL!

There is but apparently that's never the problem. Always been the lock cylinders on mine.

Edward

[redraif]

So I gave it a go.... well it worked. Yeah! You rock Edward. We will see if it lasts!

[ES_97Sport]

Jan 27, 2015 23:04:41 GMT -5 redraif said:

So I gave it a go.... well it worked. Yeah! You rock Edward. We will see if it lasts!

Glad to help. Usually lasts for several years on mine so you should be good for a while.

Edward