Have locksmith pry into stuck-door problem

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October 28, 2008

Auto Scanner The Salem News Tue Oct 28, 2008, 05:00 AM EDT

Q: I work with someone who has a 1994 RAV4. The driver's door will not open. It has a mechanical locking system. There are no power windows or door locks. When the door's unlock button is pushed or the key is turned, the door will not open or unlock. I can make the interior door handle move and the key turn when it is in the door but the door itself will not open. A coat hanger is what I have been using. How can we get the door to open?

A: Sounds to me like you have a frozen door latch assembly or a broken rod. In this case, you're either going to have to see a locksmith to open the door, or remove the door panel while the door is closed, which is tough to do, but not impossible. At my shop we have a video camera and monitor with a 6-foot flexible probe. In this case we would put down the window and insert the camera into the door to find out what is missing and to find the location of the proper latch rod for the lock assembly. It's a nuisance job, but not impossible by any means.

Q: I'm going to be storing a car for a few months this winter in a shop that has mice. Last year I had one in the car when I took it home and was dreading the possibility that it could have eaten wiring. There is no need for that expensive repair. What can I do to prevent mice from getting in the car?

A: You could surround the outside of the car with mothballs I suppose. I would also put mothballs into a small sack, like maybe from torn stockings or pantyhose. I would put some of these mothballs sachets under the hood of the car as well as in the trunk.

Q: I have a problem with my 1999 Toyota Corolla, 160,000 miles. Over the past few days, every now and then I hear some weird noise after I start the car, as if something is hitting the motor/engine/fan that’s circulating (similar to noise when you are blocking a fan). I tried turning the car off and removing the keys and yet it feels as if the engine is still running, which is very scary! And the “obstruction” noise doesn’t go away. I have already diagnosed with two mechanics and obviously paid them as well, but both their theories sound weird. The first guy says an ignition problem prevents the engine from stopping when you remove the keys. The other says it’s the engine belt (he showed me some cracks in my engine belt) and says that’s the cause. A third theory didn’t seem correct upon inspection — that fan belts have slipped. The car runs well except for this problem. Can you suggest what else I can check to confirm what the problem is?

A: With the information you give me, it’s impossible to determine exactly what is going on. It could be anything from a starter that is hung up, or a slipping crank pulley, or a condenser fan running that you can’t see. I would say with all due politeness, you need to go to a shop that has knowledge of Toyotas, as well as skilled ASE certified technicians. If indeed this is happening every time, I can’t see it taking too much to figure out the problem.

Car Care Tip: When buying new tires, let the facility know if your car has a tire pressure monitoring system. Lack of this knowledge could prove to be very expensive if the pressure sensors are damaged during the tire change.

¬¢¬¢¬¢

Larry Rubenstein is a master technician who owns a North Shore service station. His column appears Tuesday in the Biz North section. Write to Larry at Salem News, c/o Auto Scanner, 32 Dunham Road, Beverly, MA 01915, or send e-mail to scanauto@aol.com.

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