kwikset stuck after picking

by **adrianx** » 23 Mar 2005 18:56

Hey everyone,

I just started picking (got my picks 3 days ago) and I went to work on my front door (yeahh youre not spose to on things for your own security but curiousity got me). I picked the deadbolt but now it's stuck in the 180 degree position. Its the kind of lock where you have to twist the key back to normal position before removing it. It looks like the pins are stuck but I have no idea how to move it. This actually happened to one of my friends deadbolts too but after a minute of prodding, the deadbolt turns. My roommates aren't home yet and I really would like to fix the door before they figure out what my new hobby is

by **master in training** » 23 Mar 2005 19:12

ok, i've never picked a kwikset since i live in the uk, but i would guess its the driver pins may have gone into the plug slightly, you should be able to just get a 1/2 diamond pick and press the flat edge against the side of the plug opposite to where the pins are, press it up to push back any of the driver pins coming through the plug and turn it with your tension wrench. hopefully this will cure it!

good luck!

~ Master in Training ~

by **adrianx** » 23 Mar 2005 19:38

That doesn't seem to be working. Though I'm not sure if I totally understand what you suggest.
I can't even move the first pin to repick it because its just.. wedged.. I guess is the only word I can think of. I'm trying to take the deadbolt (as said in this post (http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:73 ... tion&hl=en) but I can't seem to get the plate off. I'm afraid to try to rip it off. Might you know what's holding it in place? I've removed the two screws already.

by **master in training** » 23 Mar 2005 19:58

ok, im assuming you've read things like the MIT guide so you know what im talking about when i talk about plugs and driver pins and stuff like that. look at the picture i've posted, the bit circled in red is actually a hol that goes all the way though the plug, if you were to take it out, it would not be solid, it is like a C shape.

imagine the plug turning 90 degrees, the plug is solid at the side and it holds the driver pins up out of the way, when it gets to 180 degrees they can pop back down a bit into this gap at the bottom, this may be what is holding the plug form turning. you would be able to move the pins or put the key in because the pins are help against the bottom of the lock hull.

you just have to put in something which has a flat edge to push everything up out of this gap, back into the lock hull. then while you're holding them up out of the way, turn the plug back to the way it should be with your tension wrench. as soon as you've turned it 20degrees or so, you should be able to move your thing with a flat edge out of the lock and just turn it with your tension wrench.

i've tried to explain as best i can, if you still dont understand i'll try to explain better still.

im not sure about the other method you posted about since i dont own a kwikset and i live in the UK.

~ Master in Training ~

by **adrianx** » 23 Mar 2005 23:19

Bahh. I uninstalled the lock but to no avail. It looks like my 2nd driver pin is bent and the 3rd position looks like a spacer fell in the keyway. I think I'll just have to call the landlord to have it replaced. I wonder how he'll take it :oops:

Thank you for your help!

by **maty68** » 24 Mar 2005 8:25

Try picking the lock back to its original position.

by **master in training** » 24 Mar 2005 8:40

i would assume that is because you tried to force it back round when it got stuck at 180 degrees, correct?

thats why you dont pick your door locks :wink:

by **zekeo** » 24 Mar 2005 12:28

I would reccomend replacing the lock yourself. In most states in the US, tenants are allowed to replace their locks without permission, as long as you give the landlord the key when you move out. It will be much cheaper (especially considering it was only a kwikset) and less of a pain than dealing with the landlord.

by **adrianx** » 24 Mar 2005 13:27

I can replace it myself? I didn't know that.. I figured it would be best to be upfront about it so that he doesn't get suspicious when I give him a new key. Also, he has a key to our apartment and he uses it for the maintenance guys to get in. I guess I should talk to him and if it's going to be replaced, then offer to buy and install it myself? And then I can just copy the key for him.

by **digital_blue** » 24 Mar 2005 15:33

If I were you I'd probably just go replace the lock myself, then drop by his place one day with a copy of the new key and say "Oh hey, I accidently broke the lock on my door, but IO replaced it and here's a key". I wouldn't offer any more than that. He's probably liable to think you're just the greatest guy in the world for not calling him to fix your broken lock.

db

by **zeke79** » 24 Mar 2005 15:59

adrianx wrote:3rd position looks like a spacer fell in the keyway.

Sounds like it was master keyed to me....

by **master in training** » 24 Mar 2005 16:03

sure it wasnt just a driver pin?if not i'd have to agree with you zeke.

by **zeke79** » 24 Mar 2005 17:03

Hard to tell without looking at it. It raised my suspicion when he referred to is as a spacer and the others as pins.

by **adrianx** » 24 Mar 2005 17:13

Ah sorry? Maybe my terminology is bad. I reread the MIT guide and there's a pic of a pin, spacer, and another pin. In the third position, it looks like a very small flat circular piece of metal. I can turn the hull a couple millimeters, and when I do the circular bit doesn't disappear like how the first pin (thingy) does.
I definitely picked this lock.. I don't know how to master key something. Or rather, I don't own a master key.
And I'm female :wink:

And against everyones suggested I called the realtor today

there's a guy coming over later and he said that it'll be replaced for free. yipeee and since I have no contact with my real landlord, maybe this means no embarassing questions

by **zeke79** » 24 Mar 2005 17:28

I apologize for that :oops:

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kwikset stuck after picking

kwikset stuck after picking

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