Camaro 2011 Door Lock Jammed - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Wolffenjugend · 07-27-2019, 02:23 PM

Last winter my battery died and I couldn't use my fob to get into my car. When I tried to use the driver door lock it was jammed. I thought it was frozen from the cold. The tow truck driver said he thought it was auto locked because of the dead battery and it would work once recharged (??). It didn't.

I've tried slowly pressuring the lock open with the key and I've used lubricant and let it soak but neither works. It's jammed solid and won't unlock. If I unlock with the key fob I can use the key to LOCK the door, but it won't turn at all in the other direction to UNLOCK the door.

That said, the door lock itself opens fine with the key fob, I just can't use the physical key to unlock the door. Not really a problem unless my key fob or battery dies but I'd like to get this fixed before I end up in the boonies somewhere and can't get into the car.

I never use the physical key so my guess is that the lock mechanism itself has seized due to inactivity.

Before I take it to the shop, is there something I'm missing or any other troubleshooting I can do?

I did look through the other threads and didn't see anything on this particular topic so any thoughts from you folks would be appreciated!

LuSINda · 07-27-2019, 04:38 PM

Penetrating / Lubrication oil

Wolffenjugend · 09-05-2019, 02:36 PM

Update...

I took the locking mechanism out of the door and it's broken--the pins that turn when you use the key no longer align with the metal and plastic bits in the lock so it won't unlock. It looks like some of the little parts are no longer aligned so is that something a locksmith can fix?

Buying a new lock is the other option but then I imagine they'll want to take my switchblade key and then does that mean a different key for the door (new lock) vs the ignition?

If a locksmith can fix it that might be the lesser of two evils...

MattMDR · 09-05-2019, 05:06 PM

I believe the dealer or locksmith can index the new lock to work with your key.

CamaroFred · 09-05-2019, 05:25 PM

Every lock that I have seen can be re-keyed. I don't know why the Camaro would be any different.

Wolffenjugend · 06-12-2020, 01:59 PM

Finally got this fixed. They're pretty sure rustproofing spray was sprayed directly into the key mechanism (I have it done annually) and caused the rubber gasket inside to swell, causing the lock to jam. They had to replace the lock cylinder and now it works like new.

Rock-It Man · 06-12-2020, 03:58 PM

Rustproofing? Are you having that sticky goo sprayed into your car?

That stuff wasn't all that effective 50 years ago, but now, with galvanized sheet metal in use on all cars, it's nothing but a scam.

07-27-2019, 02:23 PM	#1
Wolffenjugend Drives: 2011 Camaro LT Rally Yellow Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Canada Posts: 5	Camaro 2011 Door Lock Jammed Last winter my battery died and I couldn't use my fob to get into my car. When I tried to use the driver door lock it was jammed. I thought it was frozen from the cold. The tow truck driver said he thought it was auto locked because of the dead battery and it would work once recharged (??). It didn't. I've tried slowly pressuring the lock open with the key and I've used lubricant and let it soak but neither works. It's jammed solid and won't unlock. If I unlock with the key fob I can use the key to LOCK the door, but it won't turn at all in the other direction to UNLOCK the door. That said, the door lock itself opens fine with the key fob, I just can't use the physical key to unlock the door. Not really a problem unless my key fob or battery dies but I'd like to get this fixed before I end up in the boonies somewhere and can't get into the car. I never use the physical key so my guess is that the lock mechanism itself has seized due to inactivity. Before I take it to the shop, is there something I'm missing or any other troubleshooting I can do? I did look through the other threads and didn't see anything on this particular topic so any thoughts from you folks would be appreciated!

07-27-2019, 04:38 PM	#2
LuSINda Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Washington Posts: 94 View My Garage	Penetrating / Lubrication oil __________________ Lusinda 2010 2SS/RS

09-05-2019, 05:25 PM	#5
CamaroFred Drives: Miss Con Ception Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 2,998	Every lock that I have seen can be re-keyed. I don't know why the Camaro would be any different. __________________ 2011 1SS/RS LS3 CGM

09-05-2019, 02:36 PM	#3
Wolffenjugend Drives: 2011 Camaro LT Rally Yellow Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Canada Posts: 5	Update... I took the locking mechanism out of the door and it's broken--the pins that turn when you use the key no longer align with the metal and plastic bits in the lock so it won't unlock. It looks like some of the little parts are no longer aligned so is that something a locksmith can fix? Buying a new lock is the other option but then I imagine they'll want to take my switchblade key and then does that mean a different key for the door (new lock) vs the ignition? If a locksmith can fix it that might be the lesser of two evils...

09-05-2019, 05:06 PM	#4
MattMDR Drives: 2014 2LS RRM Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Huntingdon Valley, PA Posts: 72	I believe the dealer or locksmith can index the new lock to work with your key.

06-12-2020, 01:59 PM	#6
Wolffenjugend Drives: 2011 Camaro LT Rally Yellow Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Canada Posts: 5	Finally got this fixed. They're pretty sure rustproofing spray was sprayed directly into the key mechanism (I have it done annually) and caused the rubber gasket inside to swell, causing the lock to jam. They had to replace the lock cylinder and now it works like new.

06-12-2020, 03:58 PM	#7
Rock-It Man 376 cubic inches of fun Drives: 2023 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MA Posts: 4,033 View My Garage	Rustproofing? Are you having that sticky goo sprayed into your car? That stuff wasn't all that effective 50 years ago, but now, with galvanized sheet metal in use on all cars, it's nothing but a scam.