Asked on Jun 18, 2018

How to open a stuck Maglite flashlight?

Humpy
by Humpy

hi, I would like to know how to clean battery corrosion? I have 2 aluminum Maglite flashlights and I cannot remove the bottom ends to change batteries they are locked solid. If it is not battery corrosion, any other ideas to help get them opened would be appreciated.


  12 answers
  • Karin Karin on Jun 18, 2018

    You might try squirting a small amount of WD-40 along the seam. We used to do this to get stacked metal garbage cans apart to sell at a hardware store where I worked.

  • WD40 should loosen it and a pair of channel locks or pliers should do the trick.

  • 27524803 27524803 on Jun 18, 2018

    Chances are the batteries have leaked and corroded the metals together... try the WD-40... but you may not be able to clean out the battery compartment well enough to save the flash light ( we tried to save one of ours... and we did.... but... the new LED flash lights are a lot brighter.... that we really don't use the Maglite at all.

  • Humpy Humpy on Jun 18, 2018

    will try wd40 though it seems unlikely thank you all

  • Missy Burch Missy Burch on Jun 18, 2018

    Agree with WD 40. It works for stuff like this.

  • Sandy Sandy on Jun 18, 2018

    the batteries are probably corroded I'd call the maglite mfg.

  • Gingersnap Gingersnap on Jul 24, 2020

    I've tried everything WD40 a thicker oil two vice grips 10 people it will not come off there's no corrosion or anything I just can't get the end of it off it's like froze

    I've even tried tapping the end of it on concrete it's froze somebody told me gasoline is that true

  • Gingersnap Gingersnap on Jul 24, 2020

    How do I unscrew the end of my flashlight it's frozen I've tried everything WD40 thicker oil vice grips everything will gasoline help

  • Pat Pat on Jul 24, 2020

    Wow, sounds like you have tried everything. I Just googled "Changing batteries in a Maglite flashlight". Sounds like you are trying to do it the right way...Some put the flashlight in a vise and turned it. Some gave up and bought a new one. Good luck.

  • Ken Erickson Ken Erickson on Dec 05, 2020

    Try warming the case with a hair dryer to see if the metal expansion will loosen it.

  • Ggene Ggene on Aug 25, 2022

    wD 40 is useless. You have to use a light penetrating oil such as kroil oil or BP blaster. Then you are going to have to put the heat to it. Use small taps with a brass hammer. If that fails put a large monkey wrench on it in a vice.