My entry door won't unlock

novascotia · 08-03-2017, 06:23 AM

Hi there - my 2010 Forest River Salem - the bedroom door won't unlock - have owned for 3 years and it was always a bit challenging to get unlocked but now it won't at all - has anyone had this problem or have a solution ?

**KyDan** · 08-03-2017, 06:52 AM

A bit more info please- Your subject line says entry door which sounds like an
exterior door?

Your post says bedroom door which sounds like interior door.
They are vastly different so maybe we can give more specific advice if you tell us
which type of door AND whether you are locked out or have access to the interior.

ben31 · 08-03-2017, 07:02 AM

Do you mean the door to the outside? Is it just the deadbolt? If so, can you lock/unlock from the inside or is it completely dead? Usually, it is just the cylinder. If you can unlock it from the inside, but not the outside, then spray some lube into the cylinder (key receiver outside). Then try it. You may have to put the key in and out a few times and try to move it little by little, but it should free it up. If that works, get lock graphite and put some in the cylinder. That will keep it lubed for quite some time.

If the inside deadbolt lever doesn't open it either, you may need to remove the assembly from the door. It will be a bit difficult, but if you can get to all four bolts from the inside, through the screen door opening, you can do it. Remove the bolts. Then go outside and you'll be able to angle it out of the door. Spray some lube into the mechanism and then try to work the deadbolt lever. If that doesn't work, replace the assembly.

**KyDan** · 08-03-2017, 07:10 AM

We're all guessing without more info....

My previous Rockwood ultralite had 2 exterior doors.
The deadbolt on the one we used the most got sticky and finally stuck
in the locked position. I fiddled with it for many minutes and finally got
it open.
I removed the screws from the inside and got the lock apart and found it
was simply galled. The key tumblers were fine it was the mechanical part
that pulled and pushed the dead bolt that was slightly corroded and stuck.
A little lightweight grease in the trouble spot made it work like new- better
than new actually.

We were very close to being locked out when that happened since both doors
used different keys and we only had the key to the trouble door with us
at the time.

We hope the original poster comes back with more info.

rsdata · 08-03-2017, 07:55 AM

I'm guessing this is an exterior door going into the bedroom...

my exterior door was difficult to unlatch from the outside, pulling on the flip handle... you would have to push on the door pretty hard while pulling the exterior flip handle... the wife finally said enough... FIX THIS...

I found that by using a flat screwdriver to push on the inside edges of the receiving lock part, which is on the door frame, that i slightly bent the rectangular receiver metal edges IN... all of a sudden the lock engaged and dis-engaged very easily.

I think that over time, with so many people pulling on the door with the handle still latched, it distorted the metal and made the problem worse. Now after two trips the handle still works easily. Perhaps this fix may work for you also.

vstrom · 08-03-2017, 08:04 AM

There may be a recall on your door handles. Look around this site for info. Sorry, I don't have time to find it right now. Good luck

RudysWorld · 08-03-2017, 01:15 PM

I have heard doors not being completely closed and the latch or deadbolt getting in a bind and not being able to open. Try pushing closed while trying to open.

mypalal51 · 08-03-2017, 03:30 PM

What happened to me was the casting broke and the lever the pulled the latch bolt was gone. If when you pull the handle it is loose and disconnected, you will need to take the screws off from the inside and slide a screen driver in and push the latch bolt to open. you will have to do this to replace the handle assembly.
Good Luck

novascotia · 08-03-2017, 07:20 PM

Thank you for your reply - yes its an exterior door - I can no longer unlock from the inside or outside - when I pull or push the door I hear a locking sound hoping it will work but it no luck. The same type of lock and door is in my spare bedroom and it works fine.

novascotia · 08-03-2017, 07:31 PM

Sorry I'm new to this and not sure if my replies going to all but thank you everyone for your replies and apologies for my lack of information. This problem is with an exterior door to my bedroom - I have sliding glass doors as my main entry and another exterior door from the spare room. I can no longer open the exterior door to my bedroom from the inside or outside. If I pull it from the inside it sounds like it's locking but still can't open. I will try your suggestions this weekend. Thank you.

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