Automotive Door and Trunk Lock Systems Flashcards
7 cards from real CAL practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Automotive Door and Trunk Lock Systems flashcards as text
What is the function of the child safety lock located on the interior edge of most rear vehicle doors?
Answer: It prevents the rear door from being opened from the inside when engaged
The child safety lock engages a mechanical block on the interior door handle linkage so the door cannot be opened from inside, preventing children from accidentally opening doors while the vehicle is moving.
When cutting a door lock key by code for a vehicle with no existing key, what information is essential to obtain?
Answer: The vehicle's VIN and/or factory key code
The VIN (or factory key code from a database) is required to look up the correct bitting specifications for cutting an accurate replacement key for that specific vehicle.
Which lock cylinder orientation is standard for passenger car door locks in North America?
Answer: Horizontal, with the key inserting parallel to the ground
North American passenger vehicle door lock cylinders are almost universally oriented horizontally so the driver inserts the key parallel to the ground, which provides the most natural and ergonomic wrist movement.
A pickup truck tailgate lock is difficult to operate with the key, and lubrication has not improved the situation. What should the locksmith inspect next?
Answer: The worn or damaged wafers inside the cylinder and the tailgate alignment
When lubrication fails to resolve binding, worn internal wafers and tailgate misalignment (which creates lateral stress on the cylinder) are the most likely culprits requiring physical inspection.
What is the correct professional procedure when the original door lock cylinder retaining clip is broken and a replacement is not immediately available?
Answer: Source the correct OEM or compatible aftermarket retaining clip before completing the repair
Professional repair standards require sourcing and installing the correct retaining clip to ensure the cylinder is properly secured; temporary or improvised fixes on security components are unacceptable.
In a power sliding door system (common on minivans), what additional component manages lock engagement compared to a standard hinged door?
Answer: A dedicated door control module and motorized latch assembly
Power sliding doors require a dedicated door control module and motorized latch assembly that coordinate with the track mechanism and safety interlocks to manage locking at specific points in the door's travel.
What is the recommended verification procedure after rekeying a door lock cylinder before returning the vehicle to the customer?
Answer: Test smooth operation in both lock and unlock directions with the new key, and verify the old key no longer operates the cylinder
A complete post-rekey verification requires confirming smooth operation in both directions with the new key and ensuring the old key cannot operate the cylinder, proving the rekey was performed correctly.