LEECO Safe - Digital Keypad One Number Does Not Work - Cannot Open Safe.

[dsfbrit]

I have a Leeco safe with a digital keypad.

I know the combination, but the '3' on the digital keypad is not working.

My code has a '3' in it.

I have tried many times to press the 3 and get the tone that says it is recognised.

No luck.

 

As I know the combination, if I take the safe to a local Leeco dealer, can they replace the digital keypad only to open the safe.

 

After all I have the combination.

 

The safe is a Leeco SD PL.

 

I have contacted Leeco Thailand and they have given me the name of a Leeco dealer in Pattaya.

 

They could not give me any other technical information though - their helpline is very basic - they were as helpful as they could be though.

 

Before I go to the Pattaya dealer, I wanted to know if they can gain access if I take the Safe with me.

 

It weighs a lot - is very heavy.

 

There is nothing in the safe that I need in the next few weeks, so I thought I would ask for some help to understand the problem I have.

 

So any help / comment would be appreciated.

 

I may even go there without the safe to discuss my options.

 

Maybe they could come here to my house.

 

Thanks for your help

 

 

 

[phetphet]

When you got it, did it not also give you an override number? A bit like an admin password. Some safes have that option. Other than that the only suggestion which  you already know is a locksmith.

[dsfbrit]

PhetPhet,

 

Thanks for the reply.

No I was not provided with an override number.

 

I am not sure it would be of much use anyway, because I did not mention that '1' and '2' do not work either.

 

They are not part of my access code, so it didn't seem relevant.

 

[peterfranks]

Have you tried changing batteries with some brandname ones, and checked if there is no oxidation the connectors that connect to the battery holder, or the contacts inside the battery holder.

 

I also have a Leeco safe, and i got a mastercode when I purchased it.

[dsfbrit]

PeterFranks

Thanks for the reply.

I changed the batteries and sprayed some switch cleaner as well.

 

There is power to the keypad, the light comes on, it beeps when I enter numbers - except for the number '3'.

 

No I didn't receive a Mastercode.

 

I bought it 18 years ago and have all the documentation that came with it.

 

As I mentioned before, there are in fact 3 numbers that do not work, so there is a high probability that sadly a Mastercode would be of little use either.

 

I do have my code, it is just I cannot enter one of the digits.

 

I tried spraying switch cleaner on the keypad as well, but it was not surprising it did not work.

 

 

[CharlieH]

Go to the dealer and talk to them, take it from there.

[gargamon]

I've had a couple of these safes, not necessarily leeco brand. The quality of the electronic keypad was extremely poor in both cases and they both stopped working within a year or so. Thankfully both came with backup keys(like door keys) and I could use those instead of the keypad.

[dsfbrit]

CharlieH

 

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, my wife is away, but we can go there when she gets back.

I am just seeing if there is anything I could do myself before then.

[dsfbrit]

GargaMon thanks for the reply.

 

My safe has a key, but it is for extra security.

It can be used so that AFTER the digital code is input correctly, the key is needed AS WELL to open the safe.

 

 

[CharlieH]

13 minutes ago, dsfbrit said:

CharlieH

 

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, my wife is away, but we can go there when she gets back.

I am just seeing if there is anything I could do myself before then.

The model is also on youtube ! But you'll need a Thai ???? also has contact telephone number, which may be of some help.

[Liverpool Lou]

On 8/31/2022 at 10:41 PM, gargamon said:

I've had a couple of these safes, not necessarily leeco brand. The quality of the electronic keypad was extremely poor in both cases and they both stopped working within a year or so. Thankfully both came with backup keys(like door keys) and I could use those instead of the keypad.

Great, that's his problem sorted, then.

[dsfbrit]

Liverpool Lou,

 

Sadly the key for my safe does not workd like that.

The safe is 19 years old and for whatever reason back then they decided the key I have is for EXTRA security.

 

It works like this:-

 

1. I close the safe.

2. For additional security I then use the key to also LOCK the safe.

3. To open the safe I input my PIN number using the digital Keypad.

4. I then ALSO HAVE to use the key to unlock the safe.

 

The key on its own does nothing if I cannot first input the PIN into the keypad.

 

Daft, but true.

[dsfbrit]

CharlieH

 

Thanks for that.

I missed that video completely.

That is the exact problem I am having, I press the key and there is no 'tone' played to show it has been pressed.

Only 7 out of the 10 digits work.

It is why I suspect if there were a Master Code, it probably would need one of the failed numbers anyway.

I will contact that company on YouTube and see if they can help.

 

I also went to see the Leeco dealer in Naklua today.

 

He was very helpful, but he could not get in touch with the guy who can open safes with problems like this.

 

He will keep trying and contact me if he can make contact.

 

It seems this is no longer a problem nowadays because MOST modern safes have either a Master Key OR a Master Code that can solve the problem.

 

My old safe has neither.

 

There is no hurry to solve this problem, there is nothing of intrinsic valuable in the safe just the deeds to the house and other important documents like that and backup external drives for my PC's.

 

Thanks to everone for replying.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[topt]

On 8/31/2022 at 8:37 PM, dsfbrit said:

The safe is a Leeco SD PL.

Thanks for posting this issue as I have similar and looks like same electronics although not quite as old.

Makes me a little concerned about how to get in if the same problem happens to me. 

Can you keep us informed about the success or otherwise of your efforts?

Thanks 

[dsfbrit]

Hi Topt

 

I am happy to share my good news with you.

 

I went to the Leeco dealer in Naklua, where incidentally I bought the safe about 18 years ago.

 

He said he could not do anything about the keypad as it was so old, but he had a safe expert who could come to my house, open the safe, remove and discard the old keypad and then the safe WOULD open with just a key.

 

The cost 2500 baht.

 

I am not mean, but I thought for 2500 baht I would see if I could fix it myself.

 

So I set about removing the keypad.

 

As it is a very strong and heavy safe, I thought removing the keypad would be very difficult due to security features or something.

 

It was simple.

 

Just 2 screws and then 2 connectors inside.

 

One for the battery chamber connection and the other had a connector that had about 12 wires that went inside the safe.

 

I took the digital keypad outside into the light to check the circuit board.

 

The circuit board was very easy to remove and I could see that the numbers 1, 2 and 3 that did not work were corroded on the board itself.

 

I put some switch cleaner on the joints, but no success.

 

I then got my soldering iron out.

 

I am NOT an electronics expert, but over the years I have fixed minor electronics problems.

 

Mainly obvious dry joints or whatever with my musical equipment.

 

Anyway, I could see I needed to cut into the board to clean it properly, so thought better of it.

 

One slip of a Stanley knife and the board could be damaged, or I could cut myself.

 

I took it down to the guy who has made electronic repairs for my musical equipment, micro wave, TV etc... over the years.

 

I told him the problem and he set about the circuit board with a Stanley knife, some cleaner and a soldering iron.

 

30 minutes later all the numbers were working and he charged me 150 baht.

 

It took me about 5 minutes to reconnect the digital pad, put in the batteries and open the safe.

 

I not only still have a keypad, I did not have to pay 2500 baht for some guy to come here and ruin my safe.

 

This was only successful because I knew my security number. Had I not known my number then this repair would have been useless.

 

I will post the details of my electronics guy and some pictures of the digital keypad / circuit board in a couple of days time.

 

He is recommended in one of these forums I think. He is on Sai 3, near Soi Bukhau near to Soi 19 I think it is.

 

When you see the simplicity of the circuit board, you will be VERY confident that if you can remove the digital keypad of your safe, then you can almost certainly get it repaired and in Thailand at very little cost.

 

Thanks again for you help.

 

[huangnon]

53 minutes ago, dsfbrit said:

 

As it is a very strong and heavy safe, I thought removing the keypad would be very difficult due to security features or something.

 

 

 

Yeah. Mine is dead-bolted to the floor also. I would probably need TNT to remove it.

[In Full Agreement]

 

Just drill out the cylinder

 

I have a proper drill you can borrow.

[dsfbrit]

I have some pictures below to show what needs to be done to fix this problem.

 

Firstly remove the batteries and the screws. (picture 1)

Then remove the silver plastic around the key lock and remove that screw (picture 2)

 

The whole keypad can now be brought forward GENTLY and it shows the white connector that connects the wires to the inside of the safe. (picture 3) and the connector to the battery compartment. (no picture sorry)

 

Now remove the connector to the battery compartment. I do not have a picture of that, but it is obvious and simple so a lack of a picture should not be a problem.

 

Disconnect the white connector going into the safe.

 

Be careful now as the circuit board is showing and you do not want to get any static electricity on the board. Touching something around you like a metal door should be enough.

 

You now have the digital pad in your hand with the connector removed.

 

You can now take this to your local TV engineer or anyone who fixes circuits boards to get them to try to get it to work.

 

OR

 

like me you can be a bit more adventurous and try to fix it.

 

I removed the circuit board from the plastic digital keypad. It is just 4 screws (picture 4).

 

I then looked for a dry joint and 'fiddled' for a while to see if I could get it to work.

 

I knew if I had been successful each time by reconnecting the battery compartment VERY carefully and testing if I got a 'buzz tone' that I normally got when pressing the keypad.

 

I had no success so took it to my local TV engineer as I suggested above.

 

He found the problem, a dirty joint, hardly surprising after 18 years.

 

He resoldered it and tested for the buzzing sound. It worked.

 

This was a VERY easy problem to get repaired and certainly did not need the drastic action suggested by the poster 'In Full Agreement' above I am glad to say.

 

 

[Henryford]

On 8/31/2022 at 10:41 PM, gargamon said:

I've had a couple of these safes, not necessarily leeco brand. The quality of the electronic keypad was extremely poor in both cases and they both stopped working within a year or so. Thankfully both came with backup keys(like door keys) and I could use those instead of the keypad.

Yes i thought most safes came with master keys to open it if you forget the combination.

[oxo1947]

xx

[ThailandRyan]

On 8/31/2022 at 11:08 PM, dsfbrit said:

GargaMon thanks for the reply.

 

My safe has a key, but it is for extra security.

It can be used so that AFTER the digital code is input correctly, the key is needed AS WELL to open the safe.

 

 

Did it not come with a master key that can be used to over ride the keypad an open the door.  Mine did as well as two other keys which are needed after using the digital keyboard

[topt]

4 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Did it not come with a master key that can be used to over ride the keypad an open the door.  Mine did as well as two other keys which are needed after using the digital keyboard

I have an almost identical safe not quite as old and no it didn't. Has one key for main door as the OP says and then another key for a cheap lock for a bottom drawer in the safe. No master.

[KhunBENQ]

Deleted

Old thread.

If the OP didn't get it open he might have starved anyway

 

Heaven thanks that my old fashioned wheel lock plus key never locked me out.

[dsfbrit]

This safe is 18 years old and it DOES NOT open with the key only.

 

This old style safe has the key for ADDITIONAL security.

 

I can close the door and then open it using the digital keypad ONLY.

 

OR

 

I can close the door and then lock it with the KEY AS WELL.

 

This means it would take TWO people to open it.

 

One person with the key AND one person with the number of the keypad.

 

The guy in the Leeco shop in Naklua said the newer Leeco safes - the later model similar to mine, now DOES open with the master key ONLY.

 

Mind you, I would rather have the digital keypad working anyway even if I did have a master key facility and for the 90 minutes and 180 baht it took me to remove the digital keypad and take it to the TV repair guy in Pattaya and get it fixed - I think it was worth the effort.

 

The Leeco dealer in Naklua said the digital keypad could not be repaired, a new one would cost as much as the safe - if he could even get one.

 

He wanted to send his 'safe expert' to my house to open the safe and REMOVE the digital keypad and discard it and then make the safe open with the key ONLY.

 

For this he would have charged me 2500 baht.

 

I will let you decide if this would have been a better option than the 90 minutes I spent getting it repaired.