Picked, but no dice.

[MB38]

I've been working at a particularly tricky Schlage deadbolt (I think) for a while now. Essentially, on the side I have access to, it's a doorknob (which turns freely, disengaging a keyless mechanism) and a lock (which disengages a deadbolt).

So, long story short, I finally got it picked. I turned the cylinder 180 degrees and... nothing. It won't turn any farther. I took out my tension wrench and stuck a key [of the same design] in to get more leverage. Nothing. So I turn the cylinder back about 90 degrees and I hear the deadbolt engage. I turn it back to the point where it won't turn any farther and hear/feel a half disengage... like the internals of the lock are half way there, but the deadbolt is still in place. I click it back again and it reengages.

So what would stop the cylinder 180 degrees through its turn? More importantly, how can I make it finish its turn?

So far I've tried poking around inside for any hidden releases/latches with my tension wrench [nothing] and I've tried turning the lock with considerable force and speed [enough that any more would probably bend they key I'm using for leverage]. Nothing.

Any recommendations?

[MrB]

If the lock was poorly installed, there could be insufficient clearance for the lock mechanism to turn inside the door and retract the bolt.

Forgive the blunt question, but for what reason can you not remove the lock from the door and have a look? You write as if you are a hobby picker...

[Pheniox]

I've been working at a particularly tricky Schlage deadbolt (I think) for a while now. Essentially, on the side I have access to, it's a doorknob (which turns freely, disengaging a keyless mechanism) and a lock (which disengages a deadbolt).

locked due to that just making me wonder why you only have access to one side of a lock...