Lock button stuck down and won’t unlock with key. Tried suggestion of pushing button at same time as jiggling key, but still no movement of button. Is there a fix? Thanks.
Hello @johnnikk
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's great to have you join us, and thank you for sharing your question about your window lock.
If I recall correctly the locking button should pop up when you twist the key clockwise. One of the reasons that the button is held down is the winder has been over tightened and has pinned the locking pin in place. I suggest spraying the button and winder with WD-40 275g Lubricant with Smart Straw. Let the lubricant settle and hopefully it will be enough to let the locking pin slide out of the lock when you turn the key.
Another method you can try is to push the lock button down and turn the key clockwise. Keep the key turned to the very right so that locking pin mechanism is on the released state. Slowly lift your hand off the button and it should pop out.
If the key is a generic key for the other window locks in the house it should work. But if it is a dedicated key there is the possibility that this is not the right key for this lock. If you happen to have other keys in your possession, it might be worth checking if any of those keys are the right one for that window.
Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to seeing your window unlocked.
Let me tag our experienced members @TedBear and @tom_builds for their recommendation.
If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.
Eric
Hi @johnnikk , one addition,
if @EricL 's suggestions don't fix things could be, to get someone to push inward on the bottom of the window frame from the outside while you try to unlock it on the inside, in case the window has been closed too tightly and the pressure on the frame is jamming the lock.
Hi Eric,
Had sprayed with WD40 already so tried your other suggestion. No joy, sorry.
Thanks
Thanks @TedBear. Your suggestion also no joy. However good news @TedBear & @EricL, my son turned key with pliers and pushed button down with screwdriver and managed to unlock.
Good to hear that you've found the solution @johnnikk . Nothing like a bit of brute force...
@TedBear 's suggestion of pressing inward on the bottom of the frame from outside while trying to open the lock worked for me. Thanks! WD40 alone didn't help.
Hi @Rick2
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's wonderful to have you join us.
It's great to hear that the suggestions offered in this discussion has helped you unlock your window lock. If you have any other questions regarding your window, please don't hesitate to post a question. I'm sure our members would be more than happy to provide advice and information.
Thank you @EricL . I haven't used this forum before now but can see it should be very useful in future.
@johnnikk @EricL - I didn’t have keys to the house I moved in. So I just unscrewed the whole unit and remove the pop up button.
Hi there checking if I can take the whitco out, to try unlock as no keys ?
Hello @Raz72
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's wonderful to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your query about your Whitco window lock.
If you are planning to remove the entire assembly, I suggest checking the type of screws used to mount the window lock. If the anti-tamper screws were used it will be necessary to use a Sutton Tools No2 Easy Out Extractor Screw Set.
Once you have the screws out the entire set can be removed. You can then either attempt to find a compatible key or replace it with a new Whitco White Lockable Window Winder.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
WD40 should not be used on locks, try graphite powder.
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community and thanks for joining in the discussion @redridgegoats. It's great to have you join us.
Can you please explain to members why they shouldn't use WD-40 on locks? It sounds like you have knowledge and experience to share.
Feel free to post anytime you need a hand or have something to share with other community members.
Jason
WD40 can attract dust and dirt making your lock stiffer, it will also dry out the existing lock lubricant.
Silicon spray or graphite should be used instead.
I 100% agree, @redridgegoats, as I am quite passionate about this topic. I've lost count of the number of times I've had to prize a can of WD40 out of someone's hand and replace it with a container of graphite. However, if I've read correctly, we are not lubricating the key cylinder here; we are trying to loosen up the winder mechanism, chain and locking pin from a stuck position, and I believe that is why my colleague has recommended the WD40. We wouldn't recommend it for regular chain maintenance and certainly not cylinder lubrication.
As graphite is not a penetrating lubricant, I think we'd find it hard to get it inside the bound-up mechanism where it's needed. Since there's no movement to the mechanism, we also can't work it in mechanically. Silicon spray is an option, and if there were any movement at all to the operation, then that would be a great choice, but once again, it just doesn't have the penetrating power of an oil like WD40. There's no question that after the chain is freed, the oil should be removed from it and the locking pin, and replaced with either graphite or silicone spray, but I feel in this circumstance, using a little WD40 to initially unlock the bound mechanism is appropriate.
WD-40 is a wonderful product with thousands of uses, but it's not appropriate in situations like chain, lock, and hinge lubrication, as although it might initially help, it causes more harm than good for the reasons you've provided.
It's terrific to have another knowledgeable member join us and I look forward to your future contributions.
Mitchell
Lock button stuck down and won’t unlock with key. Tried suggestion of pushing button at same time as jiggling key, but still no movement of button. Is there a fix? Thanks.
