Need help extracting stuck key from European door lock

Pictures are here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Jf5iSR8DqgJCYFZD9

I just noticed the tiny etching of the name of the maker under a layer of grime. It is Ezcurra.

It may be my computer but I'm not seeing any pictures.
Possibly: https://www.diychatroom.com/f114/how-insert-images-into-your-posts-205921/

Bud

Any chance you can just push it thru from the other side.

I found this but i have no sound so i don't know what he is saying

Thanks Neal. That's different. When something is stuck lubrication often helps, but it might flow into where you would want it if the door were laying down.

I have also used compressed air to help get the lubricant into where I need it.

If you happen to have something like an engraving tool that vibrates at a high speed you could attach a string to pull while vibrating that key.

Does the key rotate and is the the normal up position where the key should come out.

Bud

Nealtw said:

Any chance you can just push it thru from the other side.

I found this but i have no sound so i don't know what he is saying
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGu_BTriCoc

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Thanks Neal. This is very similar to what I have. He is talking about how to pick such a door lock. I am going to go through it carefully to pick up any insight about why my key may be stuck.

mi2k said:

Thanks Neal. This is very similar to what I have. He is talking about how to pick such a door lock. I am going to go through it carefully to pick up any insight about why my key may be stuck.

Click to expand...

Likely a foreign object in there with it. Even an insect could jam things up.

Bud9051 said:

Thanks Neal. That's different. When something is stuck lubrication often helps, but it might flow into where you would want it if the door were laying down.

I have also used compressed air to help get the lubricant into where I need it.

If you happen to have something like an engraving tool that vibrates at a high speed you could attach a string to pull while vibrating that key.

Does the key rotate and is the the normal up position where the key should come out.

Bud

Click to expand...

Thanks Bob. I am going to try your interesting suggestion. I am able to wiggle the key forward, backward, and sideways relative to the cylinder. I am also able to turn it counter clockwise which turns the latch (the one with the sloping surface -- not the deadbolt). But I am not able to turn it clockwise that will move the deadbolt.

Have not had any luck yet. Tried pulling the key out while vibrating it using a jigsaw.

I have asked the manufacturer and the youtube guy, but haven’t heard back yet.

What you have in the lock is wafers that slide up and down with a side pin that rides in the grooves of the key. One or more wafers must be stuck and/or bent.


Leave door unlocked or you will multiply your problems. I would flood the lock with WD40, wait about 30 minutes and repeat. Tap lightly on the head of the key while trying to work key in and out. If still "no go" then something has failed inside the lock and it is time for all out force. Please a screwdriver in slot of key and pull until key comes out or something gives. At this point the lock is probably junk.
Wish I had better info for you. Let us know how you make out.

Thank you George. I am going to try that. Do you know why the key turns counterclockwise but not clockwise?

GrayHair, I don’t see any in out movement of the plug, so I am not able to do what you suggest. It looks perfectly flush with the rest of the face.

Just my opinion.

I would call the lock smith and be done with it or just replace the door.

No codes to quote, but when I purchased my last set of door knobs they allowed exit without any attention to the lock, just turn the knob. My thoughts were they want people exiting in an emergency to be able to get out, period. No searching for the key.

Something new, although sad to replace that unit, would be safer.

Bud

I finally had a locksmith extract the key. He clamped the cylinder on the inside while turning the key with pliers on the outside. I was very afraid to twist and break the key, but he was quite aggressive.

But I still need to replace the lock because the key can get stuck again. Couple of locksmiths told me I will have to change the whole system, and also drill and cut into the wood, with the whole thing costing more than $1500. But I did some research to discover that what I have is a really nice design meant for easy replacement. It is a “swiss profile” cam lock cylinder that will slip out, and can be replaced by another swiss profile cylinder of any brand. The catch is that none of them sell in the US.

Bud, I also have been concerned about losing the key while getting out during an emergency. We normally leave the key in the hole, but that is still problematic. Fortunately, I think I will be able to find a lock cylinder with a “thumbturn” instead of a key for inside.

Bud9051 said:

No codes to quote, but when I purchased my last set of door knobs they allowed exit without any attention to the lock, just turn the knob. My thoughts were they want people exiting in an emergency to be able to get out, period. No searching for the key.

Click to expand...

I've never seen a requirement in any of the codes to require that doors be able to be open without a key. After that requirement certainly seems like it would make it very easy for people to break into her home and had glass in the door or had sidelights. Somebody could easily break the glass reach thru and open the door if no keys were required.

Here is a 2010 link with some related discussion.
https://www.thebuildingcodeforum.co...tial-door-locks-06-irc-section-r311-4-4.7613/

Here's the last line in that thread from a moderator.
"So if you need a key to get out and you're not in jail, it's a code violation."

Bud