Kwikset Smart Key cylinder reset Without the reset tool

I messed up one of my Kwikset Smart Key dead bolts while trying to rekey it. I didn't have the reset tool so I messed around with the cylinder until I picked it "externally".

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Kwikset
• Smart
• Key
• cylinder
• reset
• Without
• the
• tool

[SisterBegonia]

So, the short of it is that if you have a PhD in locksmith, a van full of tools for the job, several hours, you can do it with no problems. Otherwise, you're pretty screwed!

[rh031a]

@SisterBegonia If by PhD in locksmith you mean no working knowledge of Kwikset locks; and by a van full of tools you mean needle-nose vice grips, a dremel and the tool that came with the lock; and by several hours you mean 1 ... then yes ... you nailed it. :o)

[SisterBegonia]

@rh031a - One hour? Really? Wanna bet on that? Have a person who has never done this and has no mechanical aptitude try it and time it. Let's see how long it takes and if it even gets done. I can also argue that it takes only 30 minutes to make a shirt...but that's because I know what to do and have done it plenty of times. If I ask you to do it, I seriously doubt that your success will be the same as mine. I paid someone 80 bucks and got it done in 15 minutes. Cheers!

[rh031a]

@SisterBegonia I never said I wasn't mechanically inclined ... I said I had never broken down a lock before and more specifically a Kwikset deadbolt. With regards to my inability to make a shirt ... you have me dead to rights ... don't think I could make one in even an hour ... that is unless you have a YouTube video showing me how. :o)

Sorry this video wasn't of more help to you. Cheers!

[huntrm]

Frustrating. Never could get it to work. Am fairly technical, so not sure why - i ground down the dummy key properly, applied proper tension, pushed in the pins, wiggled/pulled/pushed/screamed­, you name it...

Am wondering if this applies to my deadbolt/cylinder smartkey or if I have a newer (or older) model.

[rh031a]

@huntrm from what i could tell ... depending on your key and how screwed up the reset was ... some can be as simple as 2 wafers while others could prove to be much more difficult. I am sorry it didn't work out for you. You could always take the lock back and get a replacement. :o)

[LosTacosDiablo]

Ahh you"re almost there, if you remove the last cylinder sheath you can remove the half with the quick pins in it and align them with the bar and insert the key you want to work, put it back together and poof it works. This way you don"t have to use any tools on the sensitive parts.

[brizone1]

Oh, and it took me about 20 minutes once I got the barrel out (hardest part, what a PITA without their special tool!)

[brizone1]

Thanks! I didn't have my Dremel at home, so I just pulled the barrel apart and reset 'em manually. Did the trick!! Thanks for the video tho, was very useful in approaching the problem.

[elkhartandy]

took me about 20 minutes, but i got it. Thanks alot for the post!

[Blairman666]

I got it in 8 minutes thanks ps you need a 0 key to do one cut all of the bumps off the one of the key and a new key to.!!!!!!

[sivartniknar]

you made that look hard .

[huntrm]

@rh031a Thanks for the response. I ended up taking it to Home Depot, where they have the reset tool for use for free. In examining the inside of the tool, it applies pressure to certain parts of the cylinder, along with the tumblers needing to be in a reset position.

Folks, call your local Lowe's or Home Depot and see if they have the reset tool for use for free. Offering this up as an alternative if you can't get this solution to work.