Door Lock Sensors in Cold Weather

[Ferta McDaniels]

I have a 25 XLT hybrid. I live close to Cincinnati and last night we had a little snow along with 25° temps. After a short drive, I went to lock the door using the top of the door handle. Nothing happened. I then locked it with the fob and was able to unlock it with the door handle. I tried to lock it again via the door handle and still nothing. I drove to another store and still no luck locking the door via the handle. The fob would lock it without a problem. Later in the day when it was in the 30's and the sun was out, it worked perfectly. Has anyone else experienced this? Is cold weather an issue with the door unlock sensors?

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[HeyBales]

Door lock sensor, from your testing. You asked about door unlock sensors - which worked.

Have you tried the other side to see if a single sensor issue, or the sensor in general?

 

[RodT]

Were you wearing gloves?
Will gloves affect the sensor?

 

[dhaskit]

I live in central Texas. I purchased my Lariat Maverick the last of December. During the dead of winter, the touch sensors on the door handles work just fine for me. Even when the temperatures were down to the low 60’s.

No, they won’t work with gloves on but I can attest that they will work with a nose when your hands are full. That’s the only other body part that I have tried though.

 

[Ferta McDaniels]

Door lock sensor, from your testing. You asked about door unlock sensors - which worked.

Have you tried the other side to see if a single sensor issue, or the sensor in general?

Sorry for the confusion... the door would unlock as expected. Locking was the issue. I did not try the passenger door. That would have made too much sense. At times I can use deductive reasoning. This wasn't one of those times. In my defense, it was cold and I was in a hurry to get inside...YES, that was why.

 

[Ferta McDaniels]

Were you wearing gloves?
Will gloves affect the sensor?

I did not have gloves on.
It is currently 24°. I just went outside and tried the door. I could both unlock and lock the door at the handle. Seems that it might have been a fluke or maybe some ice on the handle was the culprit.

 

[matmondro]

Had that Intelligent Access feature on my Focus ST years back. There were times it wouldn't work, specifically the locking feature, and it seemed to be whenever there was ice or salt residue on the handle. I also found if my hands were really dry, it also would not work. That was probably just a little fluke for you the other day!

 

[AlsMaverick]

I'm in Mason and My 2024 Lariat has never given me problems locking or unlocking from the door sensors.

 

[Master Blaster]

Its probably not the lock/unlock sensors, but your 12V battery that is failing in the cold. That's one of the more typical issues that indicate a battery problem.

 

[dwinch53]

I live in central Texas. I purchased my Lariat Maverick the last of December. During the dead of winter, the touch sensors on the door handles work just fine for me. Even when the temperatures were down to the low 60’s.

No, they won’t work with gloves on but I can attest that they will work with a nose when your hands are full. That’s the only other body part that I have tried though.

the unlock on the door handle works with my gloves on here in Mi.

 

[KEMeyer]

Its probably not the lock/unlock sensors, but your 12V battery that is failing in the cold. That's one of the more typical issues that indicate a battery problem.

+1

 

[bighap]

Its probably not the lock/unlock sensors, but your 12V battery that is failing in the cold. That's one of the more typical issues that indicate a battery problem.

No. Only the passenger side is affected when in deep sleep mode. I lived with this daily for 18 months.

 

[Ferta McDaniels]

Its probably not the lock/unlock sensors, but your 12V battery that is failing in the cold. That's one of the more typical issues that indicate a battery problem.

I haven't experienced any battery issues. The truck has <1300 miles on it. I'm leaning towards it being caused by snow/ice on the handle. It is working fine now that the snow is gone.

 

[MikeS1942]

Door lock sensor, from your testing. You asked about door unlock sensors - which worked.

Have you tried the other side to see if a single sensor issue, or the sensor in general?

Yes, ask Tesla owners about this issue. A thin layer of moisture on a subfreezing day will disrupt normal contact.

 

[KEMeyer]

Yes, ask Tesla owners about this issue. A thin layer of moisture on a subfreezing day will disrupt normal contact.

Makes sense. Use tongue to thaw it.

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