A Phoenix Locksmith Blog

2002 Toyota Sequoia Ignition Switch in Guadeloupe

Andrew McColley

Sunday, May 08, 2016

It's not very often that the ignitions fail on these Toyota or that they give the owner much problems at all, but today we got called out to Guadeloupe to repair the ignition on a 2002 Toyota Sequoia. After pulling the ignition out to gain access to the lock I noticed that one of the wafers were not working properly. I replaced the wafers, cleaned up some of the WD-40 that was leftover from her spraying it into the lock as a temporary fix to get the ignition to turn, everything worked like new.

Kwikset Smart Key Reset Cradle

Andrew McColley

Wednesday, May 04, 2016

Today at Intermountain Lock & Security Supply I took advantage of the sale they had going on for the Kwikset Smart Key Reset Cradle second addition. I was told that it fixed a couple issues that were complained about so I bought one just to have a back up in case anything happens to the older one I have. Then I thought it would be a great opportunity to do an unboxing of the Kwikset Reset Cradle for you guys and give you my opinion on the two tools while rekeying a smart key lock. 

My original Kwikset Smart Key Reset Cradle is the red one and I have been successfully rekeying locks using this device for quite sometime now without any noticeable issues. After unboxing the new black rest cradle I didn't immediately notice any differences in the tools. Actually unless there is a difference in the mechanical gears inside the tool I do not notice a difference between the two tools whatsoever and showed that in the video below as I rekey them both with the same lock and key set. 

Tucson Locksmith Scammer Caught

Andrew McColley

Monday, May 02, 2016

We were doing some research on the locksmith scam issue going on thought out the state and came across this video of a couple guys in Tucson that found themselves in an argument with the so-called locksmith that showed up and pulled a classic bait-and-switch scam on them. These consumers what you should do when you think you might be in a locksmith scam. Take a look at the video below and give us a call anytime you think you might be in a locksmith scam issue

How Not to Install a Commercial Door Closer

Andrew McColley

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

So we got a call from Pomegranate Cafe in Phoenix to rekey the property. But once we showed up and started to get to work, we noticed as well as were told by employees that the door closer was not operating. The front door had the ability to swing complete open in both directions causing it to smash against a planter on the outside of the restaurant and a cabinet just inside the door. 

We quickly rekeyed the locks and told the owner that we would have to come back to fix the door after we got a new closer. The next day when we arrived we had no idea what we were in for. After we pulled the door down to start the work we found that the last person to service the door really did a number on it. There was a drill bit broken off inside the upper mount, a screw placed through center of the mount to hold it in place, and a bunch more damage. 

After a little work we were able to tap a new groove into the upper mount once we pried the drill bit out. We properly mounted the closer and tighten bolts that were barely held in place. After we were done we had to notch out the lock hinge a little more and the door was just like new again.

Take a look at the pictures below:

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We Caught a Locksmith Scammer

Andrew McColley

Saturday, April 16, 2016

Andrews Lock and Key has been vigorously trying to inform the public about the locksmith scam issue in the country and in the Phoenix Metropolitan area. This year we have taken action by starting the Arizona Professional Locksmith Association and have been trying to work with Google to remove the locksmith scammers from Google Local and Map products. Unfortunately, there is always more that arise every time we flag a company or we end up getting suspended when trying to add additional locations in effort to expand our reach in the Phoenix area due to "quality issues". But today we were able to get a locksmith scammer on video.

It is very important that when you contact a locksmith you get a direct quote over the phone for an exact price that it will cost to open your vehicle. Any professional locksmith has the knowledge to know what it will take to open the vehicle and exactly what they will charge for the service. If it wasn't for us, this guy could have been charge almost $300 to unlock his Ford Fusion because of a "high security door latch" among other listed reasons that made the bill jump from $43 to almost $300.

Watch the video below and tune in Sunday at 11AM on Independent Talk Radio 1100AM KFNX to hear us talk more about this on The Locksmith Show.