Broken window lock - how to get access to mechanism?

WIAWSNB

Hi.

Two openers on this bedroom window - one worked smoothly, and the other went all limp. 

The handle turns, but loosely and clearly doesn't 'act' on anything inside. It was fortunately left on 'vent' setting, which means I have partial access to the sliding bolt involved - see pics. 

I bent a bike spindle into a hook, and this did release the LH bolt, but the RH one is stubborn - it just slips by. I'm going to keep on trying, but what if this doesn't work? 

How do you get access to the mech in a locked-closed window? Do you remove the glass and get to it that way? 

Ta.

This shows the idea - this is on the ok window, obvs  

I've managed to slip the wire under the cracked-open window, but it doesn't seem to grab the 'bolt' that sits in that plastic slot. 

Any ideas? In theory I could thump the window outwards hard and try and break away that outer edge of the plastic slot, but would rather not. The other side has been released - the wire hook worked on there. 

WIAWSNB

The wire didn't work, but I was able to just reach the 'bolt' from the outside using a thin screwdriver, and hammered - er, gently teased - it inwards. What actually 'released' was, I now see, the smaller side bolt which stick out.

I was very fortunate that the windows were on 'vent' setting. Begs the Q - how is this sort of thing sorted if the window is tightly shut? 

WIAWSNB

Whilst I surf, anyone know what manufacturer this is? Ta.

Edit - Saracen, seemingly. 

WIAWSNB

Opened up the failed lock, and found the culprit - one tiny pin. 

This wee pin carries the full load of not just the lock's own bolt, but also the two sliding side arms with their own bolts and pins. 

Although not actually rusty, I did find my removed side arms were a bit sticky. But, still, what a poor design - all that handle leverage placed on one tiny pin.

I'm so lucky I had the windows on 'vent' setting, as I've just looked up how to open a fully closed window - you need to prise out the window seal - almost certainly damaging it in the process - and then use a variation of my attempt with the wire in order to prise the bolts inwards. A YouTube vid showed a guy using a thin Hex key held in a mole wrench for this. 

What a 'mare. 

At only around £8 a pop, I'm going to replace the locks on my four other similar openers. 

Fancy a routine service? Check your sliders - visible when the opener is open - for cleanliness and easy movement

littleboo

WIAWSNB said:

The wire didn't work, but I was able to just reach the 'bolt' from the outside using a thin screwdriver, and hammered - er, gently teased - it inwards. What actually 'released' was, I now see, the smaller side bolt which stick out.

I was very fortunate that the windows were on 'vent' setting. Begs the Q - how is this sort of thing sorted if the window is tightly shut? 

I was also faced with a similar problem yesterday, different mechanism using rods which extend into the fixed  frame top and bottom when locked. One was not retracting which seems to be a common issue and presents the conundrum of how to open the window to fix the problem. I removed the glass and found that created enough flex (quite a lot of flex actually, its seems the glass provides the rigidity) in the frame to allow the stuck rod to clear the it's retaining socket. 

WIAWSNB

Thanks, littleboo - you must have had a heart palpitations at some point?! No? Chust me, then.

Well done for sorting it - a far trickier position than mine. I was quite prepared to seriously thump that corner of the window free, in fact had already started chipping away at the plastic holder, which I knew could be replaced easily. 

littleboo

yes, there were some nervous moments.  I still need to fit the new mechanism when it arrives

WIAWSNB

That bit is peasy - I think.
Just clean up and lube all the links and levers.