Door solenoids and the cold!!!

So I don't know if I need new solenoids or what but my doors haven't been opening I have to thump the bottom of the door a few times then it will open and when it's open the solenoids will pull the latch all the way but when the doors are closed it sounds like they aren't engaging all the way. Also I have had battery issues lately if that has anything to do with it... Thanks

Nobody? I'm sorry to seem so niave but this is the first vehicle with shaved doors...

that sounds like sticking solenoids... not sure if you can maybe use some kind of electrical safe lubricant to help keep them from sticking or not... personally... my doors just have the spring loaded poppers, no electrical solenoids, and cable pull mechanical levers as the opener (instead of the solenoids). with mine being a daily i didnt want to have to worry about the possibility of being locked out due to dead battery or malfunctioning solenoids... you could always rig you up a mechanical lever that would pull a cable as an emergency backup system...

Thanks for the advice Leland I was thinking of this on account I have been locked out once so far and thank God it was only in my driveway! What would you suggest for a lubricant for the solenoids? And what did you use for a pull cable/good spot to hide? Thanks again

A bike cable is often used for emergency door popper cables. And look for some dielectric grease to lube up the solenoids.

Thanks Mike ill check if I got a bike layin around and ill pick up some of that dielectric grease. Off topic but how the weather in ur neck o the woods? You getting and issues from sandy? Thanks again

How are your door hinges? Any sagging in them?
When I was having issues with mine, my hinges had lots of play so I had to sorta lift on the door then pop it open. It helped alot when I took the latch assembly out of the vehicle, then cleaned and lubricated it really well.

I never had to grease any poppers, you should try to re-adjust your release cables...

Just rain and wind here in the 'Burgh. Further East got it a lot worse.

No problem. I never bothered to do door poppers on my trucks. Too many issues that I don't want to deal with. lol

For a more permanent solution you may need to adjust how they are mounted. They are suppose to be mounted horizontal but most people mount them vertical and water tends to get in them and start to corrode.

Even easier than bicycle cable... Get either: a truck hood release cable, could be easily mounted in the engine bay cleanly, I have 2. Could use a trunk/gas door release lever from a 4 door 94-97 honda accord and eith trunk or gas door cables depending on length you want for lever placement, run one to each door, and get 2 of the larger trunk plastic levers, makes it easy on your fingers when you operate. Mount wherever you want that yoeu can access easily, but is not an obvious location, maybe semi difficult to find. I have one of these mounted as well... Enjoy.


Oh and you'll need 2 small cable clamps, small u bolt, looks like very tiny exhaust clamp, and connect the ends of you cable to the rod connected to your inner door handle. And I suggest hiding the pull cables so they can't be felt for so you lever cant be traced.