Locksmithing etc. Dec. 2012

Lockitron Lock Technology

Lockitron is a manufacturer of keyless entry using your phone. Their product is mounted over the thumbturn, having a larger turn knob in the center. The Lockitron connects to the residence’s Wifi and can be operated using a smartphone and the two-button app. For older phones, Lockitron operates through simple text message commands. For late model Apple iPhones, the Lockitron can sense the phone and unlock the door using Bluetooth 4.0. Retail price is $149

For more information, contact Lockitron at https://lockitron.com.

Handle Finishes

Be careful of the lock hardware you are selling. There seems to be an increase in the apparent melting away of the non-standard finishes, exposing base metal on some locks.

Hotel Electronic Locks

According to news sources, millions of electronic hotel room locks are vulnerable to unauthorized access using easily available parts and a quick opening procedure. Estimates range from several to 10 million. The fix appears to require the lock be returned to the manufacturer. My question is: What kind of security device does each of the hotels use to be able to rent the rooms when the locks are in transit or being upgraded?

Chrysler Ignition Off Drain Issue

Chrysler has made a change. The Ignition Off Drain (IOD) fuse has been eliminated on a number of the new vehicles and replaced with a software switch. The procedure is normally completed at the dealership. If the keys are lost before the Chrysler vehicle gets to the dealership and you are called out to make a key, the "Shipping Mode" must be turned off before the vehicle can be programmed to accept the new key.

If the vehicle is in the "Shipping Mode," a message is displayed. This condition can be disabled using two methods. Use a scan tool to access the BCM miscellaneous functions or depress the front defrost and list/enter buttons at the same time for five seconds. According to Advanced Diagnostics, the manual method may not work on some of the early build vehicles.

Major Mfg HIT-66 -200 Lock Mortiser

Major Manufacturing has introduced the HIT-66 -200 Lock Mortiser designed to be used with the HIT-66 Clamp System. The HIT-66-200 comes with a one-inch carbide tip mortise bit, mortise guide plate and stop collars.

The mortiser drills holes and removes the webbing to create a mortise pocket for a mortise lock. The maximum size of the mortise pocket is 9-1/2" tall by 1" wide by 6" deep. The HIT-66 clamp system is sold separately. ½" Drill motor not included.

For more information, contact your local locksmith distributor or Major Manufacturing, Inc. , 1825 Via Burton, Anaheim, CA 92806. Telephone: 714-772-5202. Web Site: www.majormfg.com.

Chrysler Vehicle Information

The following chart is a quick reference for Chrysler vehicles manufactured from 1939-2012. The information includes key blank numbers, code series and 1200CM code card information. From 1939 to 1968, Chrysler ignition locks were mounted into the dashboard. Beginning with the 1969 model year, Chrysler started moving the ignition lock to the steering column. Beginning with the 2005 model year, the ignition began migrating back to the dashboard on some models. With the introduction of the FOBIK and the pushbutton ignitions, the Chrysler mechanical key has either been hybridized or relegated to providing key override in case the remote functionality stops.

Norton Door Closers Test

Norton 7500, 7700, 8000 and 1600 Series door closes have surpassed 10 million cycles in a test witnessed and verified by Underwriters’ Laboratories. These closers exceed ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 cycle standards by six times.

STRATTEC High Security Pinning Kit

STRATTEC has introduced the STRATpack™ part number 7023068 High Security Pinning Kit for:

2010-current: Buick La Crosse, Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Cruze, Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain

2011-current: Buick Regal, Chevrolet Volt, Ford Fiesta

2012: Buick Verano

The two-pack pinning kit contains Ford and GM ignition and door wafer tumblers and springs (100 each). In addition, there are levers, buffers, fixing rings, clutches, drivers, torque springs, indexers, roll pins, shutters, gaskets and pin covers.

For more information, contact your local locksmith distributor.

Kwikset, Baldwin and Weiser Bought

According to a number of news outlets on the Internet, Spectrum Brands Holdings Inc., the consumer-products company, has purchased the Stanley Black & Decker HHI Unit, which consists of Kwikset, Baldwin, Weiser Lock and Price Pfister, a manufacturer of faucets. The reported price tag was $1.4 billion.

2013 Chevrolet Spark Codes

The 2013 Chevrolet Spark uses the M0001-M1200 code series (same code series used by the 2003 Daewoo Matiz). The key has eight cuts. Use the 1200CM code card CF302.

Spaces Cut-to-cut .0826"

1- .098"     2- .181"     3- .264"

4- .346"     5- .429"     6- .512"

7- .594"     8- .677"

Depths Increment .0236"

1- .315"     2- .291"

3- .268"     4- .244"

HATA has a non-transponder key blank, the HATADW47PH.

The original equipment key blank number is 20873621.

The B61 or X168 key blank or, in an emergency, the MIT8 can be used. However, this key blank is very thin.

Of the six available models, the 1LT and the 2LT have transponder-based theft-deterrent system as standard.

SANHE Showcase Locks

A locksmith is looking for a double-sided key blank that operates the SANHE showcase lock. If you know of a key blank, please share the key blank number with me.  I am also looking for information on Amma desk locks, Armstrong desk locks, and Evergood desk locks.

What's Wrong?

Can you tell me what is wrong in this photo?

Email at [email protected]

Door Conversion

GKL Products has a Bridge® Modification Kit for converting a deadbolt or deadlatch-equipped aluminum stile glass door to an exit device. The kit, part number B1A. includes three GKL Bridges, two faceplates and disks to cover the lock opening, and the two cross bore openings.

For more information contact your local locksmith distributor or GKL Products, P.O. Box 533,  Herald, CA 95638. Telephone: 888-446-4337. Web Site: www.gklproducts.com.

Car Opening Techniques: 2006-12 Honda Civic

This month we will offer car-opening tool manufacturer's recommended techniques for opening the 2006-12 Honda Civic. The 2006-12 Honda Civic is equipped with bicycle style cables, eliminating any in the door opening method. Depending upon the car-opening tool manufacturer, methods of entry include the front and rear passenger doors.

These vehicles are equipped with multi-layer weather stripping at the trim panel. Warning: Failure to remove the wedges before bring the opening tool into the passenger compartment can result in breaking the window glass.

The following opening methods can be used to unlock the 2006-12 Honda Civic:

Use the High Tech Tools Small Inside Access Tool #65 to unlock the front passenger door locking mechanism.  Separate the glass from the weather strip by positioning a wedge rearward of the inside door handle lock button. Insert the car-opening tool with the working end pointing towards the front. Lower the tool until the "V" shaped portion is beneath the glass. Raise the tool until the tip of the "V" shaped portion is visible on the inside of the vehicle. Remove the wedge. Rotate the tool until the tip is positioned in front of the door lock button. Pull on the tool to slide the door lock button towards the interior of the vehicle to unlock the locking mechanism. Pull the outside handle to open the door. Carefully remove the tool according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Use the Pro-Lok AO-35 “MCOT-Wide Tool” car-opening tool and an inflatable wedge to unlock the passenger door locking mechanism. Begin by inserting the wedge 20 inches from the front edge of the glass. Inflate the wedge. Insert the AO-35 tool into the passenger compartment 16 inches from the front edge of the glass with the tip facing forward. Lower the tool into the door cavity 13 inchdes in order to be beneath the bottom of the window glass. Rotate the AO-35 tool to slide the tool into the passenger compartment. Deflate and remove the wedge. Carefully lift gradually, slowly working the tip of the tool into the passenger compartment. Once the tip is visible, manipulate the tool to the front of the inside lock-unlock button. Use the tip of the tool to unlock the locking mechanism. Pull the outside handle to open the door. Carefully remove the tool according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Use the Slide Lock AutoBuster III™ car-opening tool and two slim wedges to unlock the front passenger door locking mechanism. Insert the two wedges to accommodate the car-opening tool at the forward edge of the window opening. Carefully insert the AutoBuster III with the tip pointing rearward. Lower the tool until the loop is beneath the weather stripping. Remove the two wedges. Rotate the car-opening tool until loop is on the passenger compartment side of the window. Slowly maneuver the tool until the tip is within the passenger compartment. Manipulate the tip of the tool until it contacts the manual lock-unlock button. Use the tip of the tool to unlock the locking mechanism. Pull on the outside door handle and open the door. Carefully remove the tool according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Use the Tech-Train Productions TT-1026 car-opening tool to unlock the front passenger door locking mechanism. Insert two wedges on each side of the inside door handle assembly, providing enough room for inserting and manipulating the car-opening tool. Carefully insert the TT-1026 tool into the door cavity with the tip facing forward. Lower the tool until the upper bend is below the bottom of the window glass. Rotate the tool a few degrees counterclockwise until the bend is on the passenger compartment side of the window. Carefully raise the tool up along the window glass. Stop once the bend begins to show. Remove the wedges. Raise the tool until the tip is inside the passenger compartment.

Manipulate the tool until you contact the lock control. Flip the lock control to the unlocked position to unlock the locking mechanism. Pull on the outside door handle and open the door. Carefully remove the tool according to manufacturer’s instructions.

The direction to rotate the driver’s door lock plug to the unlocked position is counter clockwise.

For more information, contact your local locksmith distributor or the following car-opening tool manufacturers.

High Tech Tools, 1628 NW 28^th St., Miami, FL 33142. Telephone: 800-323-8324. Fax: 305-635-1015. Website: www.hightechtools.com.

Pro-Lok, 655 North Hariton Street, Orange, CA 92868. Telephone: 714-633-0681. Fax: 714-633-0470. Website: www.pro-lok.com.

Slide Lock Tool Co. Inc., 1166 Topside Rd., Louisville, TN 37777. Telephone: 800-336-8812 Website: www.z-tool.com.

Lockmasters Inc., 2101 John C. Watts Drive, Nicholasville, KY 40356. Telephone: 800-654-0637. Fax: 859-885-7093. Website: www.lockmasters.com.

We are interested in printing opening methods from other car opening tool manufacturers. To have your instructions published, contact Jerry Levine C/O Locksmith Ledger, 3030 Salt Creek Lane, Suite 200, Arlington Heights, IL 60005. Fax: 847-454-2759. E-mail: [email protected].