Fixing electronic door locks

[Alternatepriorities]

If you find the knob continues to spin freely after entering the code on a Schlage digital lock it may be a remarkably easy repair. Although I did need two Torx bits and Philips driver to get into it...

When DW and I bought a house last year it came with an electronic lock on the front door. It didn't seem to work as well during colder weather last winter and this winter it stopped working completely. At first I assumed it just needed a new battery but that didn't fix it. I took apart the locking mechanism and discovered it had excessive grease inside which was getting stiff in the cold. The drive mechanism is actually just a spring so it can stretch instead of engaging the lock. It works perfect since I cleaned it. One less piece of tech in the landfill and more money in my vanguard account!

[malacca]

I have about 30 digital locks on my various properties.

I bought a Schlage that did not have a key as a backup - it was $129. For me, a key hole makes the lock less secure as it is easy to pick.

Anyway, I wasn't brave enough to try it on a condo or any property with just one door.

So I put it on the garage entry door on a single family. The main door has a digital lock with a key backup.

Sure enough, the Schlage died after 18 months. It is a non-motorized deadbolt type.

So I call up Schlage. They agreed to send me out a new one. In talking to the Rep I asked how they can sell something that is not very reliable. I explained that I have 30 digital lock - some 8 years old - and none have failed. Incredibly, the Rep said that the 1% failure rate on the lock was low.

I asked him if he would be OK with him not being able to get into his house 3 or 4 times a year? And each time you had to call a lock smith. He got the point.

Incredibly, Schlage's policy is that if you get locked out of your house you can call them and they will send over a locksmith to tear the digital lock off the door.

Even more incredible is that it takes them 2 or 3 weeks to send out the replacement (in this day and age?).

Hold on! The story is not over. In August I got the replacement Schlage lock. I installed it on the same door. Well, it stopped working. Same isue. That is only 3.5 months. So now I have to call them back up and see what they want to do with their POJ.

[neo von retorch]

I have this exact issue and it's winter.... Need to try this fix!

Hmmm took off the inside and didn't see any grease. But everything was moving pretty well. Maybe I'll give it another try tomorrow...

[Missy B]

I have about 30 digital locks on my various properties.

I bought a Schlage that did not have a key as a backup - it was $129. For me, a key hole makes the lock less secure as it is easy to pick.

Anyway, I wasn't brave enough to try it on a condo or any property with just one door.

So I put it on the garage entry door on a single family. The main door has a digital lock with a key backup.

Sure enough, the Schlage died after 18 months. It is a non-motorized deadbolt type.

So I call up Schlage. They agreed to send me out a new one. In talking to the Rep I asked how they can sell something that is not very reliable. I explained that I have 30 digital lock - some 8 years old - and none have failed. Incredibly, the Rep said that the 1% failure rate on the lock was low.

I asked him if he would be OK with him not being able to get into his house 3 or 4 times a year? And each time you had to call a lock smith. He got the point.

Incredibly, Schlage's policy is that if you get locked out of your house you can call them and they will send over a locksmith to tear the digital lock off the door.

Even more incredible is that it takes them 2 or 3 weeks to send out the replacement (in this day and age?).

Hold on! The story is not over. In August I got the replacement Schlage lock. I installed it on the same door. Well, it stopped working. Same isue. That is only 3.5 months. So now I have to call them back up and see what they want to do with their POJ.

Which brands of digital locks are working well for you? Thinking of getting one for the office.

[Alternatepriorities]

I have this exact issue and it's winter.... Need to try this fix!

Hmmm took off the inside and didn't see any grease. But everything was moving pretty well. Maybe I'll give it another try tomorrow...

Now I wish I had taken some photos of it. The grease was on the oddly shaped slide mechanism right Behind the knob. It might be a couple of weeks before I can get to it but I’ll tear it down and take photos of people are interested.