mpavolka

I go to School in Spokane, WA and it has been so f$@$#ing cold here and I think the lock is frozen on the rear hatch or it broke. I would wait for it to warm up and then see if it works, but I was going on a trip this weekend with some friends and it would be nice if I could open the back door. I hit the unlock button on the keypad and I hear it try to unlock in the door, but the handle feels like it is locked. To make matters worse it does not seem like I can nicely get the panel off the door while it is closed. Has anybody else had this problem? Solution?

8422r4Runner

Hand warmers. Come in a small plastic bag, orange in color. You rip open the plastic bag and expose the pouch inside to air. It reacts to the air and heats up. I would put a small piece of cloth on the rigs paint, press the pouch on the cloth over the lock. It should create enough heat to melt any ice holding the lock in place.
They only cost a buck or so at most stores. Sports area.

pepsibluefloat

or if ya got a hair dryer...or park it in the garage for a night or something.

li_runner

I've had this happen in the cold and in warm temperatures as well. I've seen the problem intermediately around the board.

I will tell you my solution and it honestly works for me. I hit the license plate surround with the heel of my hand and knock the handle "back into place" and it opens.

My opinion, the lever that catches onto wire that opens the latch every once in a while becomes loose. I've taken the door apart to see any issue, and I've never found one. I've also never had any lock freeze in the truck. I've only had the rubber gasket around the door freeze on me. Maybe the this is the case?

mpavolka

I live in on-campus housing at school so no garage, but I was able to drive it for a while today and then when I tryed to open it after about 45 min of driving with the heat on very high it opened right up. Thanks very much for the help though... I am just glad it wasn't broke because to work on it while the door is closed would be a pain.

Caffeine

If it happens again, a carwash that isn't busy is the best answer. Take it and get it washed, then just let it thaw and drip dry for 20 minutes.

...plus it gets all the road salts off your truck...