Doors Wouldn't Latch

[SupraRanger]

Hey all, I'm new to this forum. I've got a 2019 Ranger XLT. Today it was extremely cold in Calgary (like -40°c) and both my passenger and drivers doors refused to latch, took about 5 minutes to get the doors to latch? Anybody know what could cause this and has anybody else experienced this? Thanks in advance!

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[Snorebaby]

That's pretty freakin' cold!! I wouldn't want to work in that temp either!

Seriously, it just may be a lack of enough lubrication on the moving parts and at those temps just multiplies the problem. Someone with better understanding of cold weather should chime in....I live in Georgia where the temps are in the 70's today.

 

[Floyd]

I have seen this problem a lot with antique cars, where the glass seal showed wear and moisture got down inside the door just before a freeze.
Even on new cars, If it was warm and rainy or you ran through a car wash just before the freeze set in, that could cause the problem.
IMO the best solution would be overnight in a heated garage to warm it up and dry it all out,
Then as long as the weather stays cold at least the problem should not return..
This doesn't mean that anything is wrong with your truck, in fact, it may never happen again....since a freak condensation event may well be the cause. It is surprising how little moisture it takes to get in to the right spot.
Snorebaby is right, little shot of lube should do the trick.
As much as I don't like WD40 for most applications , it does contain about 70% solvent which will evaporate and take the moisture with it, leaving only a slight film of lubricant. It might work best. then follow up with PB blaster or better yet TRIFLOW Teflon spray.

 

[SupraRanger]

I have seen this problem a lot with antique cars, where the glass seal showed wear and moisture got down inside the door just before a freeze.
Even on new cars, If it was warm and rainy or you ran through a car wash just before the freeze set in, that could cause the problem.
IMO the best solution would be overnight in a heated garage to warm it up and dry it all out,
Then as long as the weather stays cold at least the problem should not return..
This doesn't mean that anything is wrong with your truck, in fact, it may never happen again....since a freak condensation event may well be the cause. It is surprising how little moisture it takes to get in to the right spot.
Snorebaby is right, little shot of lube should do the trick.
As much as I don't like WD40 for most applications , it does contain about 70% solvent which will evaporate and take the moisture with it, leaving only a slight film of lubricant. It might work best. then follow up with PB blaster or better yet TRIFLOW Teflon spray.

Thanks for the response! I'll take a look once I get home from work today!

 

[Floyd]

Couple years back, the F150 had a recall for freezing door latches. Apparently your door may have appeared closed, but it really wasnt and as you zoomed around a corner....the door would swing open. Hopefully your kids or dog didn't tumble out, but maybe some wouldn't have minded if the wife did so.
If i recall, it was a combination of the grease used, as well as they needed to install a moisture shield.

The initial fix while mine waited for parts was using a different lube and the dealer carried that out. then when the covers arrived they installed them.

I would hope after that 1.3 million recall, Ford wouldnt be making the same mistake on this truck

I sure hope I don't get another completely useless recall. I have had 5 over the last 20 years, none of which was necessary.
These last two on the Ranger were unnecessary and invited damage by arrogant incompetent dealer service departments.

 

[WOADKIL]

Hopefully your kids or dog didn't tumble out, but maybe some wouldn't have minded if the wife did so.

LOL!

 

[VegasRanger]

Pro tip, when this happens, piss on your latches to warm them up.

 

[WOADKIL]

The issue is latching the doors in really cold weather. I think the selection of rubber seals material has a higher freezing temp than other vehicles/model years? Prevents compression at -40C°.....

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