Fed up with guys using door lock bypass clips on residential jobs

I keep pulling up to service calls where someone jammed a zip tie or paper clip into the door lock bypass on a MRL, and now the whole controller's got a phantom fault. That hack might save you 5 minutes on site, but it leaves the next guy chasing a ghost code for 2 hours. Anyone else deal with this nonsense from the same type of installer?

2 comments

2 Comments

elizabeth_williams1mo ago

Must be the same guys who use drywall screws for everything and call it "creative wiring." Next time just leave a sticky note on the controller saying "good luck, sucker" while you're at it, saves me the frustration of actually having to think. Zip ties in the lock bypass, really? That's the elevator equivalent of putting a Band-Aid on a leaking pipe. Honestly the phantom fault is probably the controller just getting fed up with being treated like a cheap motel lock.

sam_anderson1mo ago

Ha, yeah I've totally seen that before. Quick tip though - if you're stuck with one of those hacks, grab a small flathead and gently push the zip tie down while cycling the lock mechanism. Sometimes it just needs a little nudge to seat right. And next time, just tell them to use a proper jumper wire instead of zip ties, or better yet just leave the damn controller cover off so you don't have to fight with it. I keep a bag of those little plastic wire connectors in my truck just for this stuff, saves everyone an hour of head scratching.