You can buy a penetrating catalyst or WD-40 at a home improvement center, auto supply shop, or online. You can try this method on either a manual or an electronic car lock, as long as there is a keyhole.
If you don’t have a flathead screwdriver, you can use any other thin metal object to open up the keyhole. Just make sure not to use anything breakable that could snap and get stuck in the lock.
If you’re using WD-40, the can usually comes with a long skinny red straw that you can attach to the nozzle. You can stick this straw right into the keyhole to get the lubricant all the way inside.
If the lock is still jammed, don’t try to force it open with your key. You might end up breaking the key off inside the lock and making the issue worse.
You can also try covering the key in lubricant and sliding it in and out of the lock a few times to loosen up the tumblers inside. If you still can’t unjam the lock after trying this process a few times, you might have a bigger issue. You will either need to access the locking mechanism from the inside to try and unjam it or get a locksmith to fix the problem.
The exact procedure for removing the interior door handle or door panel varies from car to car. However, the general concept is the same. Just locate all the hardware that holds the door handle plate or door panel in place and take it out, then pull the door handle or door panel off the door. If you have to remove the door panel, keep in mind that some doors have a sheet of sticky insulation that you also have to remove to make repairs. It will have to be replaced afterwards. Consider getting your lock professionally repaired if you aren’t comfortable doing this yourself. This method may work for either an electronic or a manual car lock.
If you’re having difficulty seeing the mechanism, use a flashlight or the light on your phone to get a better look.
If it’s hard to move the rod up and down and you can’t get the lock unjammed, try spraying the whole mechanism with some WD-40 to lubricate it.
If your lock doesn’t seem totally unjammed, but it feels like you’re making progress, keep wiggling the mechanism back and forth using your needle-nose pliers until the locking and unlocking actions feel smooth. You can also try spraying some WD-40 on your key or into the keyhole to clean out, lubricate, and protect the lock against corrosion.
