First of all, I do apologize for yet another door latch thread. I am well aware these things have a ton of issues. I have searched the forum (and google), and have gotten a ton of info on what to do with these things.

My issue is a bit unique compared to what I have been seeing, although I am sure it could be something to do with the same issue they all have.

It got cold and now the front passenger door won't close. Just bounces back open. Same as every other latch issue I have seen. Where mine is different from what I have seen is I can get the latch to 'latch' if I put a screw driver in it. I can take the screwdriver and try to pull on the latch and it won't come out no matter what I try unless I pull one of the handles, but closing the door won't let it latch. I figured maybe the striker wasn't adjusted out far enough so I adjusted it out as far as it can go for troubleshooting purposes and it still won't latch. This makes me feel like the latch isn't actually freezing and I have a potential door alignment issue or something of the like. Not sure why it started after getting cold (20 degrees F), but nonetheless here we are. Does anyone know these well enough to be able to give me some insight into this? Currently have the seatbelt wrapped around the handle to keep the door closed.

I have tried the usual troubleshooting steps I have seen on here like wd40 on the cable, the latch itself, and basically everything that moves in the door. It's almost like the door isn't closing quite far enough to get it to latch fully. I have slammed it and put all my weight into it, and it just won't latch. Not sure what else to try at this point. Any ideas?

 

So update on this 24 hours after the initial issue. It just out of the blue started closing properly, and it's even colder today. So I would say it is the typical latch issues that seem to plague these trucks. Maybe the wd40 I spayed yesterday worked it's way into something.

On another note, I read this forum post and got a good amount of info in it. It seems locking the doors can get the door to latch? I admittedly did not try that, but that begs the question, does anyone know how these latches actually work? Is the act of locking the doors forcing the mechanism back to it's home position so to speak? Interesting how that can potentially allow the door to be closed at least. It looks like changing the latch is a pita to do so I'm probably going to have a shop deal with it. At least for now the issue has sorted itself out.

 

WD-40 isn't the best lubricant for that purpose. In fact, I've seen some pretty specific warnings about not spraying WD-40 into locks. After it dries it can get sticky and cause friction between closely-fitting parts. I usually use white lithium grease for such applications as door latches and hinges (and lock lube for locks).

 

unfortunately your right … just like with padlocks, which are exposed to the elements year round, graphite is what is recommended as it is a dry lubricant.

this might be a better alternative.

 

I do have graphite spray. I also have fluid film too. Saw that mentioned a couple times on here in my reading.

 

I have used Ballistol on locks, works well.

 

It sure sounds like the "water freezing in the latch mechanism" to me. There is a TSB that offers a fix from the dealer.

Here ya go. Hope this helps!

https://www.f150forum.com/f118/2015-...9/#post6034647

 

there is a special lubricant for car door locks. WD means water displacing and the 40 is the 40th formula they tried. I got this from a WD40 engineer year ago. the old GM cars would stop in the rain. spray the distributor and it would go.

 

My driver side door does it ever so often. Originally I thought it was because I changed speakers but no other door does it. I found that either locking the door or operating the outside door handle will make it latch properly. I figured I might have pinched the cable somehow but have not taken the time to pull the door panel to find out