Frozen central locking misery

[Jizmondo Scrotmondo]

I've got a mk2 Golf GTI 5 door. I know they suffer from frozen locks. I usually tip some hot water over the drivers lock and then after some curse word about with the key, it eventually unlocks. This morning it was worse! The door unlocked but the door was still on it's latch. I climbed through the boot and pulled the pip up........and the pip came out the door with the thick wire hook attached , which I assume goes into the mechanism! The door unlocks but the central locking is silent and I have to pull the pips up on each door.

Any hints or tips to prevent freezing and what I've done to the central locking?

[Kieran]

The pip normal goes onto the door latch mechanism.

Door cars off and spray everything with wd40 and then grease it up to keep moisture out.

The moisture in the air is clinging to the mechanism and freezing when cold. Wd40 Is water dispersant so should drive the moisture away.

[Jizmondo Scrotmondo]

Had a nose after work and the where the pip goes into the central locking module has snapped off. When I pull and push and pull the pump manually, it locks and unlocks all the doors as it should. I've never messed with entrap locking before. Is the pip part of the module?

EDIT: managed to get a diagram up of the whole mechanism.....and there's a plastc clip which connects it all up. This has snapped/vanished. I've bought a pair from Thiefbay for £4!

[Rich]

I think part of the problem is that you keep pouring water back into the lock mech which can then re-freeze! Sounds like you need to get the door card off and clean and lubricate everything. My golf mk2, 2 mk2f polos, or transporter never suffered this!

[mirafioriman]

I had similar problems with my Xantia a couple of winters ago. I now oil the locks and catches with my oil can in autumn before the cold weather arrives and I've had no problems since. I used to be able to get into the car but the door wouldn't shut and I had to drive to work holding it shut!

[Jizmondo Scrotmondo]

Thanks for the advice. I've got the part number for what I'm after (357-837-083) I've bought a pair from Ebay but I'll still give VW a ring in the morn. I doubt they'll have one (or it will take a week to arrive) but it's worth a shot, I suppose. I'll spend some time and slap some grease and spray oil on the components in each door!

I'm a lazy curse word sometimes and chucking hot water on is the quick fix and results in the problems I'm having!