Doors don't like freezing weather?

[Wogga]

Well the first vehicle I have ever owned that when the temperature drops the passenger door handle doesn't release the locking mech? Had doors frozen on the seal etc but this seems that the locking mechanism freezes, works after a bit driving. Only the passenger door as that is more exposed. Pull the handle.... nothing anyone else?

 

[jts46]

Dry door seals, then apply a silicone spray around seals

 

[zippster]

interesting .. I had the same with the drivers door.. I have some

Gummi Pfleger so ill apply some later ​

Cheers

 

[Loz]

I find the Turtlewax hydrophobic wax spray better than silicone as it lasts longer. Also, remember to pull the handle out and spray behind that as well.

 

[Wogga]

The seals are releas ok it’s seems the handle mechanism is not releasing the lock! The handle moves ok but not latching, once it’s warmed up it is fine strange one in my experienc. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Denzilgts]

Good tip is to keep the remote heater control , then 30 mins before needing the van switch on the heating should defrost it from the inside

 

[ChocolateEclair]

Well the first vehicle I have ever owned that when the temperature drops the passenger door handle doesn't release the locking mech? Had doors frozen on the seal etc but this seems that the locking mechanism freezes, works after a bit driving. Only the passenger door as that is more exposed. Pull the handle.... nothing anyone else?

Have you had the recall done for the Bowden cables in the doors? If water gets in the window seals it can freeze on the cables. Not sure if that could cause your problem but it was a job that was done prior to picking up our T6.1 in July and I haven’t had any issues.

 

[Wogga]

Good tip is to keep the remote heater control , then 30 mins before needing the van switch on the heating should defrost it from the inside

Been doing that might need to leave it longer

 

[Wogga]

Have you had the recall done for the Bowden cables in the doors? If water gets in the window seals it can freeze on the cables. Not sure if that could cause your problem but it was a job that was done prior to picking up our T6.1 in July and I haven’t had any issues.

Only got the van brand new before Christmas hope fully the factory should of resolved the issues but it sounds plausible it would cause the fault I am seeing, the right side is less exposed to wind chill. See how it goes once this cold snap recedes

 

[Hoftha]

Well the first vehicle I have ever owned that when the temperature drops the passenger door handle doesn't release the locking mech? Had doors frozen on the seal etc but this seems that the locking mechanism freezes, works after a bit driving. Only the passenger door as that is more exposed. Pull the handle.... nothing anyone else?

Same here. I have a Cali T6.1 (august 2020). I got the wires to the lock (in door, to handle ) replaced by the dealer with a VW—recall. But despite of that the cable in the passenger door gets frozen. Dealer advices not to spray something in it to avoid dirt. They will open the door again and send pictures to VW Germany to ask for advice.
has nothing to do with doorseals.
I’ve had an Cali T5 before, never had problems with doors got frozen.......

I’ll be thankful for a good solution.

cheers

 

[Wogga]

Same here. I have a Cali T6.1 (august 2020). I got the wires to the lock (in door, to handle ) replaced by the dealer with a VW—recall. But despite of that the cable in the passenger door gets frozen. Dealer advices not to spray something in it to avoid dirt. They will open the door again and send pictures to VW Germany to ask for advice.
has nothing to do with doorseals.
I’ve had an Cali T5 before, never had problems with doors got frozen.......

I’ll be thankful for a good solution.

cheers

Cheers thank you your feedback, I said clearly in my first post that it was a mechanism failure but everyone stated the obvious about the door seals.

Thank you for confirming the door issue, ours has got worse and is intermittant now without any frost, it feels like it is missing a catch (sear) on first attempt. The handle moves ok but it doesn't latch door mechanism if you know what I mean.

Thanks again Hoftha it is appreciated.

Regards

 

[NLB]

snap !....driver's door took 10 mins to shut / defrost before i cud pull away this morning , best i try the heating remote control function to sort out the issue, slowly getting through things after a week's ownership !

 

[zinglefiffy]

I have what sounds like an identical issue. Symptoms are the same anyway.
Mine is a MY19 Beach and it's the sliding door which doesn't unlock. Quickest way for me to get it unlocked is to press the unlock button repeatedly on the key fob, usually it works after 2 or 3 extra presses. Also as noted, running the night heater before you need the van also sorts it - but i'd generally only do that pre school run and now it's cold enough that I have this issue throughout the day rather than just the morning.

This has happened both winters we've had the van although it seems worse this year. It was supposed to get sorted last year but, you know, one thing and another. Current plan is for the dealer to have the door off, realign to remedy a scratchy wheel arch, and replace the locking mechanism then keep it there overnight to test in the morning. Fingers crossed!

 

[soulstyledevon]

Good tip is to keep the remote heater control , then 30 mins before needing the van switch on the heating should defrost it from the inside

Mines be in the house since Christmas.
Definitely helps with the sticky door issue in winter.

 

[GrahamB]

I’ve had the same issue with frozen door mechanism the last couple of mornings after a frosty night. Defintely the handle mech which is frozen and wont pull out to release the door (not the door seals sticking). The door pull works from the inside after getting in through the sliding door. So I figure there must be ice inside the door latch itself. This seems very odd to me on a brand new car. I have read the advice on running the heater from the remote in advance and if course I can so that but I dont think that should be necessary - it was only about -3C at night here near the south coast. I am waiting for a response from the dealer, but wondering if a spray of WD40 into the handle mech would drive out the moisture and prevent this. Any thoughts anyone?

 

[kp64zl]

Been doing that might need to leave it longer

I have reset my remote to go for 1 hr as 30 mins too short. Setting is in control panel.

 

[kurienp]

I’ve had the same issue with frozen door mechanism the last couple of mornings after a frosty night. Defintely the handle mech which is frozen and wont pull out to release the door (not the door seals sticking). The door pull works from the inside after getting in through the sliding door. So I figure there must be ice inside the door latch itself. This seems very odd to me on a brand new car. I have read the advice on running the heater from the remote in advance and if course I can so that but I dont think that should be necessary - it was only about -3C at night here near the south coast. I am waiting for a response from the dealer, but wondering if a spray of WD40 into the handle mech would drive out the moisture and prevent this. Any thoughts anyone?

@GrahamB - just a theory. Very unlikely that it is water ingress as many 6,1 owners have reported this same issue. May be to do with some new environment friendly lubricant that VW has started using, which is freezing at low temperatures and hence causing the issue.

WD40 will definitely work, but after WD40, I would also spray some PTFE lubricant in as well. The best solution may be for you to take out the door cards and lube from the inside - if the spray from the outside into the handle recesses does not work.

 

[GrahamB]

@GrahamB - just a theory. Very unlikely that it is water ingress as many 6,1 owners have reported this same issue. May be to do with some new environment friendly lubricant that VW has started using, which is freezing at low temperatures and hence causing the issue.

WD40 will definitely work, but after WD40, I would also spray some PTFE lubricant in as well. The best solution may be for you to take out the door cards and lube from the inside - if the spray from the outside into the handle recesses does not work.

Thanks @kurienp I appreciate the advice. Heater on for half an hour this morning was enough to free the locks to open normally.

 

[aileron346]

Dry door seals, then apply a silicone spray around seals

Sorry - coming in very late to this. I'm no expert and actually have done this on cars in the past - but I've seen some mentions in manuals somewhere not to do this (I havent cross checked the Cali manual). Searching reveals the usual opinions for and against silicone sprays on door seals and it sounds like the carrier in silicone sprays can be the issue. I wonder if there is a silicone product that is definitely not harmful to rubber door seals.

 

[kurienp]

Sorry - coming in very late to this. I'm no expert and actually have done this on cars in the past - but I've seen some mentions in manuals somewhere not to do this (I havent cross checked the Cali manual). Searching reveals the usual opinions for and against silicone sprays on door seals and it sounds like the carrier in silicone sprays can be the issue. I wonder if there is a silicone product that is definitely not harmful to rubber door seals.

@aileron346 , you are right - silicone spray is not the best for rubber seals. For rubber seals, use Gummi Pflege. It comes in spray cans as well as rubbing sticks. Get the rubbing sticks and it can be used not just for the door seals, but more importantly for the roof rubber seals all across and also the sliding window seals.

NextZett and Wurth come recommended. I use them on all rubber seals at least twice a year ...



My arsenal of lubricants for the cali include:
- Gummi Pflege - for rubber seals all across.
- Dry PTFE lubricant - for the sliding door channel and lower support bracket
- WD40 - for general use - in case anything is not moving like it should - door hinges etc.
- Copper Grease tube - for the wheel spigots


-

 

[B J G]

I've seen numerous reports about this problem on the T6.1 on Facebook.
There was a recall for it but last I saw was that VW had put a hold on it. Suspicion was that the recall didn't cure the problem where handle mechanism actually broke.

 

[Jabberwocky]

Its my sliding door that seems to be suffering in this weather. The door wont open using the fob so have to use manual opening with hand behind "B" pillar. However door will lock using remote. Hoping the "thaw" tomorrow will sort it out.

 

[Chris ado]

Well the first vehicle I have ever owned that when the temperature drops the passenger door handle doesn't release the locking mech? Had doors frozen on the seal etc but this seems that the locking mechanism freezes, works after a bit driving. Only the passenger door as that is more exposed. Pull the handle.... nothing anyone else?

Vw will have a recall on all T6.1 cables freezing my friend was told who had the same problem as you

 

[Joker 1299]

My headlamp washers are protruding due to the freezing weather too.

 

[Wogga]

Vw will have a recall on all T6.1 cables freezing my friend was told who had the same problem as you

Cheers Chris