Yale Lock

[llamekuf]

The key will lock and unlock the door from the inside but from the outside it will only lock the door, the key wont turn to the left to open the door.
Any ideas would be appreciated.

[deggers316]

eh ? it uses a key inside ?

[boxtops]

Our front door is DG and yes, we have to lock ours from inside, but it's not a Yale.

Last time I had a Yale, you turned the key to the right to open it - have you tried that?

[heathfield]

Yale also make mortise locks, Deggers.

[heathfield]

And whether it turns right or left to open depends on whether it's a right-hand or left-hand mounted lock.

[llamekuf]

As the lock is on the right hand side of the door the key is turned to the right to lock it (from the outside) and to the left to open.
The key will not turn to the left so the the door can be unlocked.
The key is turned to the left (from the inside) to lock the door and to the right to open which happens ok.
Maybe I should have described it as a mortise lock.

[Heracles]

I had the same problem on a DG front door when I got a 'Yale' copy made ... eventually the shop sent for a 'CarlF' blank (which the orig was!) .. cut it and it worked fine!!!

[The Builder]

This often happens with spare "cut" keys, or maybe when the original key has worn.

If it happens with other keys, then it sounds as though the levers in the lock are worn and a new lock is needed.

[chrisgel]

With ours you have to hold the handle up while turning to the left.

[alavahalf]

If you remove the lock and then try the key in both sides of the lock to see if it operates. If it does, then you know that the lock is OK, and it may be a keyhole issue (binding). If it still only operates on one side then more than likely it is a key or lever issue.
You have two choices ... take the lock and key along to a locksmith shop where they will identify the fault and possibly sell you a new key.
(hoping you have a nightlatch on the door to secure it in your absence).

If it were me I would measure the size of the lock, and just buy a new one from B&Q or a local hardware store. This way you will get new keys and solve the problem at the same time. If you get an identical lock it will be an easy
5 minute swap.
A two and a half or three inch Yale mortice lock should be about £30.00

[llamekuf]

My thanks to DEGGERS316, BOXTOPS, HEATHFIELD,HERACLES, THE BUILDER, CHRISGEL and ALAVAHALF.
Good to know there is help out there.