My new lock won't... lock
March 13, 2023 11:35 AM Subscribe
I replaced a double cylinder deadbolt with a new one of the same make and model. I got it installed, but the outside lock won't engage or disengage the bolt at all, and the inside engages the bolt but I cannot remove the key when the bolt is engaged, I have to unlock the door.
What did I do wrong???
Response by poster: Sorry, that's not it. The lock with the external screws is inside.
And to be clear, I installed it.
posted by rhymedirective at 12:34 PM on March 13, 2023
And to be clear, I installed it.
posted by rhymedirective at 12:34 PM on March 13, 2023
Sounds to me like maybe the bolt isn't fully extending. With the door open, can you engage the bolt far enough to be able to remove the key (from both the inside and the outside)?
If yes, then maybe there's an alignment problem between the new bolt and the hole in the door frame that's preventing the bolt from engaging properly.
posted by sriracha at 12:49 PM on March 13, 2023 [2 favorites]
If yes, then maybe there's an alignment problem between the new bolt and the hole in the door frame that's preventing the bolt from engaging properly.
posted by sriracha at 12:49 PM on March 13, 2023 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: I don't think that's it either. Absolutely nothing happens when I turn the outside lock. It's like it's not even connected to the bolt.
posted by rhymedirective at 12:58 PM on March 13, 2023
posted by rhymedirective at 12:58 PM on March 13, 2023
I've put in a fair number of doorknobs and have managed to not get the two knobs inserted correctly into each other more than once. I dunno how to fix it other than to take it all apart and put it in again, though, and test it all before you screw it down.
posted by restless_nomad at 12:59 PM on March 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by restless_nomad at 12:59 PM on March 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
I've put in a fair number of doorknobs and have managed to not get the two knobs inserted correctly into each other more than once.
This is my guess. If one side isn't turning the other side, they probably just aren't connecting. Getting the tab to line up with the slot can be a fiddly process.
posted by Dip Flash at 1:56 PM on March 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
This is my guess. If one side isn't turning the other side, they probably just aren't connecting. Getting the tab to line up with the slot can be a fiddly process.
posted by Dip Flash at 1:56 PM on March 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
It sounds like you have two problems here:
1. The door is too thick, so the tongue that sticks out of one side of the lock isn't engaging with the other side.
2. The bolt isn't extending all the way (maybe it's bottoming out in the recess in the door jamb?).
Take the lock out and hold it together as best you can, with the tongue engaged in both sides of the lock. Can you use the key to operate the lock from both sides? Measure the lock while holding it together out of the door to check the tongue can engage when the lock is spaced apart as if it was in the door. If the thickness of the door is such that the tongue only just engages, it may not be seating in the slot when fitting the lock, but hanging down into the cavity between them.
With the door open, see if you can remove the key when it's in the locked position.
As always, pictures would help in this situation.
posted by dg at 3:05 PM on March 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
1. The door is too thick, so the tongue that sticks out of one side of the lock isn't engaging with the other side.
2. The bolt isn't extending all the way (maybe it's bottoming out in the recess in the door jamb?).
Take the lock out and hold it together as best you can, with the tongue engaged in both sides of the lock. Can you use the key to operate the lock from both sides? Measure the lock while holding it together out of the door to check the tongue can engage when the lock is spaced apart as if it was in the door. If the thickness of the door is such that the tongue only just engages, it may not be seating in the slot when fitting the lock, but hanging down into the cavity between them.
With the door open, see if you can remove the key when it's in the locked position.
As always, pictures would help in this situation.
posted by dg at 3:05 PM on March 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by mhoye at 11:48 AM on March 13, 2023