Tubular Dryer Lock

[Lynn]

So I've recently purchased some washers and dryers for my tenets that are coin operated. After getting them into the basement and making sure they ran ok I noticed that one of the tubular locks seems to be stuck at a half way point. I'm pretty decent at picking these types of locks because my aunt and uncle are also landlords and they've bought several of these kinds of washers and dryers and I've used the tubular lock pick to have new keys made for them as they did not come with any.

So upon further inspection it seems as if one of the pins (first one on right) is stuck. When I remove the panel and turn it upside down the pin will come out but turn it back over and it falls back in again. I've tried shaking the door upside down, using a little WD-40 and after looking around on this site I've also tried depressing and wiggling it a bit with a hairpin to get it unstuck.

Is there anyway to correct this problem or should I buy a new lock/call a locksmith? I try to do most of this stuff on my own as "specialists" seem to be quite expensive and I like being able to service my own things.

Thanks in advance if this has been asked before, I looked through the forums and found 1 post similiar to mine but not much in the way of advice.

[squelchtone]

Hi.

Even though it seems that you know what you're doing and you're just trying to get a task done and off your to do list, we usually do not help 1st time posters with help on picking locks that are in use and belong to something as handy as a washer or dryer, or a coke machine, or car wash change machine, etc. I'm sure you can see that there is a possibility of helping out some bored teenagers or actual criminals by accident and then we would be liable for helping who may use that knowledge to steal money or services. I doubt this is the case with you, but you will probably not find much help unless its very rudimentary tubular lock repair 101.

A photo of the lock not actually locking a washing machine would probably help your case a 1000%, but we're still cautious that others down the road don't use out conversation for illegal purposes, so if someone does help you, please keep the conversation to Private Messages, and don't post them in this thread. Photos may be posted using http://tinypic.com, simpy upload photo using tinypic and then paste the http://image.jpg link here.

Thanks everyone,
Squelchtone

[Bob Jim Bob]

Maybe a broken spring under the pin? Have you tried to pick it upside down?

[2octops]

Those locks are cheap and usually not serviceable.

Replace and mark it off your to do list.

[MortimerDuke]

Is this lock on the coin box or on the service door? Your problem (as I understand it) is pretty common with coin laundry equipment.

[MrWizard]

That pin doesn't have any spring cause it is turned to the area that has no spring.

[cledry]

You may have a lock with a dead pin which is a security feature.

[MrWizard]

You may have a lock with a dead pin which is a security feature.

Can't be a dead pin it it is moving when tuned upside down.

I say it is because it is in turned position the pin in question is over the solid space between pin 1 and 7. That is how all these locks act if turned off center. Nothing wrong with it just needs picked back to center.

Richard

[squelchtone]

The OP hasn't logged in since May 2012 when the question was first posted.

Squelchtone

[MrWizard]

Oh ok I was just saying what I think is why the pin has no spring in case anyone else encounters the same problem might be of help to them. Although I could be wrong. I'm sure the problem has been long solve by now.