I had a professional contractor install my Kwikset lock today. This one:
Afterwards I had no problem throwing the deadbolt back and forth manually. I turned the lever on the back over a dozen times, then used the key to lock and unlock it a dozen times. It worked perfectly as a real, manual lock.
…then I put the batteries in…
I put in the batteries and received that ridiculously loud beep. I then pressed the programming button once, typed in my selected code, and I was done. I then pressed the lock button and the deadbolt made some bad-sounding sounds inside and did not lock.
After that, I tried turning the lock manually with the lever and the key. NOW the deadbolt has a hitch in the middle of its throw, which is very annoying. I have to apply a decent amount of torque to get the deadbolt to go all the way to the end of its throw.
What do I do? Is this a physical installation problem? Is this an electronic problem? What’s the problem? I’ll be able to have the contractor back at my home tomorrow or the next day, so I’ll be able to get the deadbolt removed if I need to, but is that the issue? The thing worked perfectly before I put the batteries in…
Did the contractor follow the instructions to make sure the deadbolt is properly aligned during install? There is a section on this on the installation sheet. Sounds like the deadbolt is not aligned correctly.
[quote=“garrettwp, post:4, topic:173008”]Lock should be fine. Have a look at the instructions, it should be pretty simple to follow.
Garrett[/quote]
Hmm…not so sure about that I’m looking at the ones online right now because the guy who installed it might have thrown the instructions away (boo). I don’t see any mention of what to do for different orientations. Maybe I’m looking at the wrong instructions, but I would have thought these would mention orientation…
Yeah, sorry, but I’ve looked at the instructions on Kwikset’s site, and they don’t mention a single thing about orientation (as far as I can see). I would have thought they would, but I just don’t see it!
Instructions have changed since I bought mine (several years ago). Did you perform the holding of the lock button while inserting the batteries? I’m not at home, won’t be home until tomorrow. When I do get home I’ll pull out the instructions and post the section on the deadbolt alignment. Hopefully others can chime in faster than I can.
Thanks for the offer to help. Yes, I did that, but it really doesn’t look like that’s the problem.
I’ve now taken the lock apart completely, and I have to say that it just doesn’t make sense. It appears that the lock simple can’t be oriented properly. From what I can see of the mechanical movement of the deadbolt, when it unlocks, the lever (the part you turn manually on the inside of the door) DOES NOT throw the deadbolt all the way to the unlock position. Rather, it looks like it throws it MOST of the way, and a spring or something similar (or just momentum) swings it the rest of the way into the unlocked position.
I currently have the lock apart so I could conduct some tests. I sort of pieced the lock together in my hands (no screws or anything), and tried entering the code. The whole thing then wrenched out of my hands because the electronic lock was, indeed, trying to turn the deadbolt the wrong way! This seems extremely odd to me. I’m sure that Kwikset, a lock company, accounted for the fact that people might have their locks on different sides of their doors. Mine, however, is the opposite of what is shown in the instructions, so it appears I have the non-standard orientation. That’s fine, but the instructions have to include…instructions!..on how to change it!
I ran into this problem when I first installed the lock not following the instructions properly. The instructions I have has a warning to make sure that the deadbolt is in a certain position before using the lock etc. It is most likely that the deadbolt is not seated correctly for the motor and lever to activate it properly. I’ll try and get the information tomorrow when I get home.
Garrett, I owe you an apology. So here it is: I apologize for making you do extra work in order to help out a dummy like me.
It appears that I hadn’t - as I had originally thought AND posted here - held down the lock button when I put the batteries in. After doing this, it does appear that THIS is when the lock figures out its orientation by testing the throws of the deadbolt and figuring out which ways it can go. It’s actually a pretty smart way of doing things, and I was the one being stupid about it.
So again, I apologize and thank you so much for helping out dumb newbies like me!
Do not be so hard on yourself. We all make mistakes. That is why we are here on the forum, not only to get help, but to help others as well. I would assume that everything is now working as it should?
Its also worth remembering this procedure since the lock can also revert to this state if you lock it remotely and its not aligned properly with the strike plate!
I had this happen a few times with a self closing door that doesn’t always fully shut, and had to redo the lock button/battery trick to re-align the deadbolt again!
I’ve performed the lock calibration steps a few times in the past, and after I’m done the door always triggers a “bolt not fully extended” error. Since that point, I’ve kind of given up on fighting with it. But thought I’d at least ask: I’ve always had the door open when putting the lock in and holding the lock button (because I’m doing it by myself). If I close the door after the deadbolt retracts for the first time, when it completes the cycle it just turns on the red indicator LED and beeps angrily and then refuses to work. If I keep the door open the entire time, the process completes and the deadbolt will function, except that it complains about the deadbolt extension.
Would I get different results if the door started in the closed position when I inserted the batteries? (Obviously that would take a second person to hold the lock button down, which is why I haven’t tried yet).
You are correct. The lock is working as it should, and I already have it added to Vera. It’s freaking awesome I can’t wait to play with the possibilities, but my Z-Wave system is incomplete (waiting on switches) so I’m holding off before I start making my new scenes and everything.
Moving is stressful!
Thanks again, though for all the help.
[quote=“strangely, post:13, topic:173008”]Its also worth remembering this procedure since the lock can also revert to this state if you lock it remotely and its not aligned properly with the strike plate!
I had this happen a few times with a self closing door that doesn’t always fully shut, and had to redo the lock button/battery trick to re-align the deadbolt again![/quote]
Ooo, thanks for the warning. That’s good to know. My deadbolt is already scraping by the strike plate, but there’s not much I can do about it because the previous owners of this house really borked their door jam. When we purchased the house, the wood behind the strike plate was practically sawdust and the bottom screw was falling out. My contractor somehow attached a new strike plate, but had to move it over slightly. The lock…locks…but it certainly isn’t a clean throw. Unfortunately I don’t think there’s much we can do about it without getting a new door.
Also unfortunately, the old handle and deadbolt on our door were builder-grade stuff that was fairly insubstantial, and the two parts were placed fairly close together. Now with a Kwikset handle and the Smart Code deadbolt, the two are actually going to have to butt right up next to one another. Hopefully this won’t cause too much wear on the two parts…
I locked myself out the door and forgot my password I tried multiple passwords until it completely locked out. My friend said he could get in he did by putting his key in there and hit it by a hammer. I went in and reseted it and tried it I hered the moter turning but nothing happened since it was still under warranty by the company I sent it in and they sent another one they called my house when they got the broken one in and asked if it worked before it broke I said yes then they said did you have someone to break in I said told them what happened they said that might have Ben what happened to the moter because the moter became misaligned from its location. I asked if they want me to pay for the new they said no need jest don’t do that again. I’m satisfied they took cared of that since it was my fault.
I’m looking at the ones online right now because the guy who installed it might have thrown the instructions away (boo). I don’t see any mention of what to do for different orientations. Maybe I’m looking at the wrong instructions, but I would have thought these would mention orientation…