Door problems

[Enzo955]

I have a 2004 CTT and its been very cold lately here in Pittsburgh. Recently my driver door will close, but the car doesn't recognize it as being close. The dash warning continually stays on no matter what I try to do. This is very annoying as the ambient lights stay on in the car and it usually won't lock when I get out. It was freezing and then the last two days it has been getting warmer, but the problem persists. 

 

Any ideas? 

[RFM]

Requesting error codes would be best to start with, it may well be that into the lock built-in micro switch is defective.

[Enzo955]

I ran my codes as I already had a light and only got a unrelated code for the motor running too lean at the moment

[Loren]

I ran my codes as I already had a light and only got a unrelated code for the motor running too lean at the moment

 

What diagnostic tool did you use? Durametric, PIWIS, Or PIWIS 2?

[mihaipopa]

wurth HHS-k is really good. I thinl it's being sold under a different name these days, but you should be able to find it on their website. wd40 for emergencies.

Edited February 10, 2015 by mihaipopa

[mihaipopa]

It happened to me a couple of times also, always in the winter when the temperatures dropped below freezing point. I think that whatever water drips down the door frame and find its way into the locks ends up causing all these issues. I've used graphite lubricant (I highly recommend wurth) with great success; a few applications inside the locks followed by closing/reopening the doors fixed it. I have tried wd40 also, and it did work, but I've learned since that it is not recommended since it attracts dirt, hence the graphite choice.

Another solution is to use a blow drier and try to get all the moisture repelled.

Once, it went away by itself, as the weather warmed up.

So, in my opinion I wouldn't get too worried, it's most likely a result of freezing temperatures and moisture messing with the locks.

Unless the lock is damaged of course. I had to change mine last year cause the plastic hook would not fold over and every time I tried to close the door it would just bounce right back. Id have to manually pull that little black plastic pin in and push it down every time I had to close the door. Pretty intensive job for a simple lock, as I had to remove not only the door panels but also the metal card underneath, all sorts of rivets and whatnot, but I doubt that's the issue here.

Good luck

Edited February 10, 2015 by mihaipopa