Anthony's Blog

Steering Wheel Lockup

2/7/2017

Steering wheel will lock up into a position as part of a safety feature for your vehicle. The reason why your steering wheel locks up naturally is in order to prevent your car from going anywhere under the circumstances of the wrong key being inserted. Other reasons would be of something other than a key entering the ignition as well as when nothing at all is being inserted into the ignition. If you are encountering a steering wheel lock up while using the correct key to your vehicle, then you may have a problem that needs to be managed with your car by an automotive locksmith.

A temporary quick fix that might work for when you are experiencing a steering wheel lock up is trying to move the steering wheel gently side to side. Do not attempt to force your key to turn in your ignition if it doesn’t move like normal. All that you are going to cause is a broken key that will probably need to be carefully extracted out by an expert locksmith in Reno. It will be much costlier to repair an ignition cylinder that is housing a broken key. It is necessary to have this problem correctly resolved soon in order for you to prevent getting stranded.

The tumblers within a vehicle’s ignition experience a lot of abrasive mechanical movement of which can cause the locking mechanism to no longer be in proper working condition. This defunct ignition is preventing the steering wheel from unlocking at times that it should. The steering wheel lock up is more than likely due to the key assembly having worn out and needing to be replaced by a locksmith in Reno.

Sometimes, though an experience of the steering wheel locking up is simply because debris has found its way inside. Contact a locksmith to service the internal components of an ignition cylinder.

A common reason why an ignition won't turn and the steering wheel locks up could be that the car key has become old and worn. If the car key is no longer in working order, it will be necessary to purchase a new car key, have it cut and then possibly programmed to the specific vehicle.

You can get into contact with an automotive locksmith in Reno NV who will be able to repair or replace the ignition lock assembly of your vehicle in order to fix a locked steering wheel. The locksmith will be able to cut and program a brand new laser cut key to your automobile as well if that is deemed a necessary route.

6 Comments

Lexus Trunk lockout

11/21/2014

6 Comments

Recently, I got a call for a job to retrieve the keys locked inside a Lexus trunk. Usually, dealing with these type of cars can be tricky for doing lockout jobs, but I came up with a great way to accomplish the job without damaging the lock or the trunk of the vehicle. I started the process by gaining access to the inside of the car. It is always good to check first and see if the trunk release button will actually unlock the trunk. If you see the button is pushed in to the locked position, the key kill switch would need to be unlocked. In order to do this, the lower dash screws would need to be removed and the dashboard pulled out next to the trunk lock release. Once the back of the lock is accessible, you will notice a spring loaded clip around the back of the lock. This clip should be removed and then the small spring loaded locking tab should be visible.

Once the tab is pushed in, the key switch should pop out easily. Now its time to try the trunk release again. If it opens, it means you are on the right track. At this point, everything should be put back together, and you can call it a job well done. However, if it doesn't open, its a result from the alarm being armed and would need to be turned off before the job can be accomplished. In order to disarm the alarm, take off the driver's side door panel to access the back of the key lock that is on the door. Now safely remove the key lock while being careful enough not to disrupt the wires that are attached to the lock. On the back of the lock, there will be a white plastic piece. Slowly, remove the piece from the back of the cylinder and safely turn the disk inside with a small screwdriver. You will notice that when turning one way the alarm will be armed, and turning the other way, it should be off. Once the alarm is disarmed, the trunk release button can be activated which in turn should unlock the trunk.

Visit the following links for other info about lockout services in Portland, Oregon. | Portland locksmith solutions.

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Schlage lock function alteration

11/21/2014

5 Comments

I got a call from one of my commercial customers that had a problem in which his employees would leave the back door of the warehouse unlocked. He called and asked me if I can come up with a solution that would keep the door locked at all times. The type of lock on the door was a Schlage L9453 Mortise Lock, with an entry function and a thumb-turn on the inside. I was able to convert the lock to a function that is normally used as a store-room lock with the added security feature of a deadbolt.

I was able to do it by by removing the thumb-turn that came with the lock and installing a standard 1- 1/8" mortise style thumb-turn. In order to install the mortise style thumb-turn, I had to cut a 1-1/4" hole in the inside and installed an American Lock model 89210 mortise thumb-turn. Once the factory thumb-turn was removed and the mortise type thumb-turn got installed, the outside lever now function to prevent itself from being unlocked. In this case, the door now should be in the locked position at all times except from the inside as regulated by state safety regulations. Now during the night, the deadbolt can be used just by turning the mortise thumb-turn. Another great tip for other locksmith technicians would be to try sell the customer a door closer if its not already equipped with one which will close and lock the door automatically .

Check out the following links for info about locksmith services in Seattle, Washington. | Seattle locksmith solutions.

5 Comments

key removal

11/21/2014

6 Comments

I got a call recently from a customer who got her key stuck in a lock. Once I got to the job site, I saw that the customer's key was actually stuck in an old mortise type lock. Apparently, the customer had used the wrong key in order to open the lock, and although it unlocked the door, the bolt itself was not completely withdrawn. Once the customer noticed that, she pushed the bolt back into the lock and caused the key to get trapped.

Apparently, it was the only copy of the key that the customer had and since it fit other locks in the house, breaking the key off and just repairing the lock was out of the question. In order to save the key without causing damage to the lock in this late night work, I drilled a 18" hole into the center of the bolt, screwed in a tap and pulled the bolt out. That process seem to free the bind on the key which was removed without any damage to it whatsoever from the lock. Once the key was out, i double checked the functionality of the lock with correct key.

Check out the the following links for information about locksmith services in Reno, Nevada. | Reno locksmith solutions.

6 Comments

restricted keyway lock

11/21/2014

6 Comments

Many times, I would be called for a lockout job where it will be close to impossible for me to pick the lock in order to unlock it. I got a job recently at a post office for a lockout service. Usually, in situation such as that, I would not think twice and use my drill in order to drill the plug at the shear line, install a new plug or lock and call it for the day. However, in that particular case, I could not follow the drilling procedure The reason that I did not follow my usual drilling procedure was because of the fact that the key-way was a restricted key-way and if I did drill and damage the plug, it would have taken 6 to 8 weeks in order to to get a new one. The customer did not want to wait for that much period of time and neither did I for obvious reasons.

Luckily, I found a way around damaging the restricted plug, get the customer inside the post office and get the restricted lock back in operating shape immediately after. All that done and without damaging anything except the mortise cylinder. The process that I did started by inserting an uncut key blank in the key-way and then I drilled a 5/32" hole just above the plug and shearline. After drilling through each of the six top pin chambers, I then took out the uncut blank and used a curved pick in order to push the bottom pins down past the shearline, which allowed turning the plug and open the door. Next, I just had to replace the drilled mortise cylinder shell with another shell from the same brand, re-key the lock to a new combination, and call the job a success.

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6 Comments

November 21st, 2014

11/21/2014

3 Comments

Suzuki Key Make

11/21/2014

5 Comments

Iv'e been a professional locksmith for several years now, but I didn't got to do many jobs for motorcycles nor I know any other locksmith technician who has good experience with them. The following tip may help those who may get a call one day to service a 1991 Suzuki Fatana, Model 600 to generate a key for it. The code series is 6001 to 7000 and uses a SUZ12 keyblank and HPC code card MC71.

To this type of key there should be a total of 7 cuts and 4 depths. The first depth is a no-cut. The motorcycle's seat lock and the gas cap lock seem to not have any codes on them and are held in the cylinders by a spring loaded retainer wafer at the rear of the plug. I recommend using a diamond or a hook pick to depress the wafer and remove the plug. The procedure starts by removing the seat lock and making the new key to fit spaces number 2, 3, and 4. It continues by removing the gas cap lock and making the key fit spaces 5, 6, and 7. At this point, the only cut that is left is the number 1 cut which shouldn't be to hard to progression.

Check out the following links for other information about locksmith services in Portland, Oregon | Portland locksmith solutions.

5 Comments

Manipulating padlock

9/22/2014

5 Comments

I was doing a job for a customer making a key for he's 90 Ford Escort. I guess he was pretty happy with the job that he asked me to open a Master Pro-Sport padlock for him. Usually, what I would suggest to any locksmith technician to do is to open it with a pinch pick and replace the lock, but in this situation, I decided to give it a closer look. The lock was a four-wheel, and was a reset-able combination lock. I thought I could decode it like other similar types of locks, but because of the construction of the lock this approach was not realistic.

What I did was pulling back on the shackle, applying pressure on the wheels and starting with the wheel farthest from the padlock's logo, and I rotated it until the pressure was relieved. Once I got on the correct number, the wheel got loose. Then I proceeded to the next wheel and did the same thing until I reached the last wheel. At first It didn't want to open, so I tested the wheel next to last wheel and it seen to be stiff. I rotated it again and the lock opened! I hardly believe that this lock can be shimmed, but it can be manipulated!

Visit the following links for lockout services in Portland, OR | Portland lockout solutions.

5 Comments

Window entry tip

9/22/2014

4 Comments

Every time a locksmith get called for a residential lockout job, he knows that windows are usually an easy method of entry. In the locksmith fields, there are many tools that can help get an entry through a window. Several sharp blows with a hammer will sometimes unlock the latch. Strike several light blows with a hammer, then take another bite and try again. In case that fails because the latch is locked too tight, you can drill a hole approximately 1/16" in diameter. Line up the drill so that it will go through the sash and contact the latch. It is important to be careful not to drill close to the glass otherwise, you will damage it. Next insert a small stiff wire through the hole, and with several light blows of your hammer The latch should release.

Another good way for opening windows, is to use a glass cutter. However, this method might take some practice before using it perfectly without damaging the window. Cutting a window's glass should be simple and can be done with the the use of a simple low price cutter that can be found in most hardware stores. It is always recommended to choose a basement, or other rear window for the cut, and preferably the smallest one possible, so it won't cost the customer much to replace it. After a little bit of practice cutting glass with the tool, a hole can be easily cut in a thin piece of glass. What needs to be done first is to score the glass about four inches square. Next step would be to take a friction tape and completely cover the square, letting the tape overlay the scored marks about two inches on all four sides. Then tap the four sides that were scored with the glass cutter, and pull out the square piece. The hole should be cut in a strategic location form the latch, so it is convenient to reach in and turn it. Most of the chances, the glass will break to pieces, but will stick to the tape. This will eliminate the glass from breaking into the house.

Visit the following links for information about locksmith services in Spokane, WA | Spokane locksmith solutions.

4 Comments

House lockout tip

9/22/2014

8 Comments

Normally, when a locksmith technician is being called for a residential lockout job it is usually because the customer locked his keys in the house, or lost them altogether. Most often, the customer does not check if there is any window or other door left open by mistake which may give them access to the house without having to call to a professional locksmith to get them in. It is recommended to always check first to see if there is another entrance to where it is locked from the inside.

Some people are using this type of lock for a back or side door and usually leave the key in the lock on the inside while using one of the other doors. In these older doors there is usually a large crack at the bottom that may allow access to open it. After determining there is no easy way in and that the building is securely locked you can use this very old and simple trick that is often effective on older kinds of buildings. It is require using the bit key lock which piece of molding that easily can be removed. You start by slipping a piece of thin, stuff paper under the door. Then with another key or pick, jiggle the key that is set on the other side of the door until you can make it fall out off of it. When the key falls out it will most likely land on the paper. Carefully pull the paper out and the key will slide under the door.
Visit the following links for locksmith services in Reno, NV | Reno locksmith solutions.

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