How long does a sunroof lock cylinder last?

Ensuring the safety of a vehicle is usually one of the top priorities for a vehicle owner. The car has a number of mechanisms that help keep the contents inside the car safe. On the doors and hatches of most cars ...

Ensuring the safety of a vehicle is usually one of the top priorities for a vehicle owner. The car has a number of mechanisms that help keep the contents inside the car safe. Most car doors and sunroofs have a locking mechanism to help deter thieves from entering the car. To unlock these mechanisms, a person must have the correct key for the lock. Over time, the door or sunroof lock cylinder may begin to wear out. Whenever the driver needs to gain access to the cab or trunk of the vehicle, these locking mechanisms will be used.

The sunroof lock cylinder in a car is designed to last the life of the car, but this is not always the case. The interior of the lock cylinder is a hard metal system that must have a specific key design to open it. The more the cylinder is used, the more the metal inside it begins to wear out. In order for the lock to work without failures, it will have to hold the right amount of lubricant. Over time, the lubricant inside the lock dries out, which can cause internal parts to freeze.

Although there are several spray lubricants on the market that can help lubricate the lock, this will only be a temporary solution. A faulty sunroof lock cylinder may prevent you from accessing certain parts of your vehicle. When a sunroof lock cylinder fails, here are some warning signs you may start to notice:

• The key does not open the hatch
• The key just spins when you try to open the hatch
• The key is stuck in the hatch lock due to lack of lubrication.

By fixing this lock in a hurry, you won't have to worry about this part of your car being locked. Trying to replace a sunroof lock cylinder can be quite tricky if you don't have previous experience. If you need help replacing the sunroof lock cylinder, be sure to see a certified mechanic.