Need help with cylinder lock

[BeelzebubUK]

Hopefully this is a simple fix.

I have a Euro-profile key & turn cylinder similar to the G9002 here : http://www.imperiallocks.co.uk/rim.htm

Fitted into a Euro-profile cylinder mortice deadlock like the G7004 here : http://www.imperiallocks.co.uk/euro.htm

When I locked it the other day I mistakenly used the wrong key which went fully in but obviously wouldn't turn the lock. I then used the right key and it span for about a turn and then clicked into place but it looks like its span the lock 180 degrees so when I lock or unlock the key is in the wrong position to be able to withdraw it.

I've taken the cylinder out and tried all sorts of combinations of using the thumb turn to get it in the right position and then using the key but it still just spins round until I feel it click into place but still leaves it 180 degrees in the wrong position.

I've done this before with the same lock last year but I'm sure that was easily fixed just turning it a few times so don't know what I'm doing wrong this time. Can anyone help or am I going to have to buy a new lock this time ?

Any help appreciated.

[Solomon]

With the lock in your hand, put the key in and turn it a few times then take it back out again. Is the cam pointing at 11 or 1 o'clock? If so, the cam has slipped into the wrong alignment. Probably happened when you used the wrong key, if you gave it a good wiggle then that's most likely what caused it. When this happens with thumbturns it tends to fix itself, but not always. Depends on which cam they use, I think.

Anyway, if you want to fix it yourself you're gonna have to pick it, so if you're not good at picking I'd either take it to a locksmith or just buy a new lock. Can get thumbturns pretty cheap on ebay.

If you're a competent picker and know what you're doing when it comes to grabbing the cam, you can try and fix it if you want. When this happens with a normal double sided cylinder you put a key in one side and pick the other, then fusker about with it till you get the alignment back to normal. It's the same idea with thumbturns but you should make a note of the position of the thumbturn in relation to the alignment of the cam so you don't get confused. Stick a bit of tape on one side so you know which side is which, nothing worse than resetting the plug only to realise you haven't actually fixed it

I'd only do this as a temporary fix though, cos it'll probably slip again sooner or later. By now you're probably thinking "screw this" anyway, in which case I'd say buy a new lock and preserve your sanity

[BeelzebubUK]

Thanks for the advice. My lockpicking is so far at a level to undo the crappy ones you get on office furniture so think this will be well beyond my ability at the moment. Think I'll just make a trip to B&Q and get another. The worst thing is that I'm moving house in a couple of weeks. So far the oven thermostat went so had to get that replaced and now this. I wonder whats next ?

[BeelzebubUK]

If I look at it from the key end then the cam is pointing to 11 o'clock when I take the key out.

[Solomon]

Thanks for the advice. My lockpicking is so far at a level to undo the crappy ones you get on office furniture so think this will be well beyond my ability at the moment. Think I'll just make a trip to B&Q and get another. The worst thing is that I'm moving house in a couple of weeks. So far the oven thermostat went so had to get that replaced and now this. I wonder whats next ?

Heh, that's always the way. Keep your chin up and look forward to all the things you're gonna have to fix in the new house instead.

If I look at it from the key end then the cam is pointing to 11 o'clock when I take the key out.

Yep, that's a bad case of slipped cam you got there. It's supposed to be the opposite direction, in this case around 5 o'clock. Since your picking isn't up to much just at the moment you're gonna have to replace it... you could always put the old one back in just before you move out though

[mhole]

You can fix this by getting a copy cut of the key, and filing the tip off. This will allow you to turn the key without engaging the cam. Your current key probably was a pretty worn tip if you've had this happen before.

[BeelzebubUK]

Thankfully the lock was a standard size so got a replacement easily. Will keep the old one as a practice tool so at least i'll get some use out of it

[Raymond]

Regarding this thread I have a question. I have worked with very few of these locks and do not know the tricks.

IF, you put turning pressure on the cam, insert a pick to push the cam-bar? out of the plug, and then put the working key in and turn it opposite the direction of the cam pressure, will this allow the cam-bar to hang on the edge of the tail of the plug? As the plug turns 180 degrees it should pick up the cam at the correct place and be OK until the next time. As stated before, a freshly cut key with an unworn tip is immediately necessary.