Cannot close small combination lock

[NickSergeant]

One of my kids had a small but robustly built 4 number combination padlock for a few months that got stuck open.

The bolt is at the 180 degree point and will not rotate more than a small amount and won't slide in and out.
I am curious to get it working but I wonder if it is just broken?

[Squelchtone]

[ADMIN EDIT: Moving this question from Ask Beginner Hobby Lock Picking Questions to the Hardware - Locks area. ]

[GWiens2001]

One of my kids had a small but robustly built 4 number combination padlock for a few months that got stuck open.

The bolt is at the 180 degree point and will not rotate more than a small amount and won't slide in and out.
I am curious to get it working but I wonder if it is just broken?

Pictures, please.

Gordon

[stratmando]

Can't wait too see it. Also the possible solutions that will follow. Many here love a challenge, picking getgs boring

[femurat]

Thank stratmando.

Here is a pic of the lock in the stuck open position:

[femurat]

I guess a number or two moved away from the correct combination. I see the first two number are not aligned with the combo line on the padlock body. Try to align them and see what happens.
Are you sure the combo is 4150? If not, you can try to move one wheel at a time, make a complete turn and try to pull up the shackle at every number. Once that wheel is back to its original position, try the next one.
Or you could just try all the possible combinations, it takes time but if you make it while watching a movie you don't get bored.

Good luck

[stratmando]

Looks like it is in "change combo position, partly", if femurat's suggestion doesn't work, try pulling up on shackle while rotating wheels. Good luck
Take note of the number, when you get it.

[stratmando]

If pulling up doesn't work, try rotating 90° towards you, and rotate dials, with slight pressure.

[stratmando]

Also go to Youtube, and search "Cocraft 300c". a couple videos

[MartinHewitt]

This happens sometimes on my lock when I try to change the combo. I never know the combo then, because when I change it I do it I change it to a random unknown combo. The padlock is then really locked in open position. The only thing what I can do then is to manipulate it open which is awkward, because pulling on an open shackle is not so convenient.

[NickSergeant]

Thanks for all your suggestions.

No luck so far -- it certainly does look like I should be able to change the combo because it is open but then again, the shackle is in quite deep which would be closed if it were turned around. I even tried rotating the whole combination 180 degrees, in case it got "locked" in the open position.

(I had a similar thing happen with a cheap combo bike lock -- the combo changed as I was opening it in a hurry and it got stuck half closed. I managed to find the new combination by trial and error around the old number.)

I quite like the idea of trying all the numbers, it seems meditative.
But too bad if it's just broken and they all fail!

[stratmando]

You likely have tried twisting back and forth while pushing in and out. If pulling out and turning Tite numbers one by one doesn't work, try turning back tension, and turning Tite numbers till loose. Have you ever opened these type like that? I'll look on YouTube real quick. Don't give up.

[stratmando]

On YouTube, Search "opening 4 dial padlock by feel". By "Mad Science ?"something? Good luck