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How to Open a Locked Suitcase Without the Combination
Last Updated: June 8, 2024 Fact Checked
This article was co-authored by Robert Vallelunga and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden . Robert Vallelunga is a Locksmith and the Owner of ACME Locksmith in the Phoenix Metro Area. Robert has over 15 years of experience in the industry and specializes in working with automotive ignitions, locks, keys, and master key systems. Robert and the team at ACME are the #1 Rated Phoenix Locksmith Service and the Winner of the Better Business Bureau Ethics Award. Robert has his Residential & Commercial Contractor’s License and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Arizona State University. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,139,245 times.
Luggage locks provide a sense of security in the knowledge that no one can get into your suitcase except for you. Forgetting the combination to your lock can cause a lot of anxiety, especially if you can’t remember even one number. Fortunately, there are a few different methods you can try to open your lock and access the contents of your suitcase.
Listening to the Lock
- The noise may be very faint, so it’s best to work in a quiet environment without a ton of noise.
- If you go through all 10 numbers and you don’t hear a click, you may not be able to use this method on your lock.
- Make sure you leave the numbers that clicked in place so you continue working towards the correct combination.
- If the lock doesn’t open, try starting with the last number dial and working your way towards the first one instead.
- Using this technique can be kind of tough, especially if you’re in a noisy area. Don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t work for you.
Opening a Master Lock
- Some combination locks don’t have openings in the top where you can see the rotating circles. If yours doesn’t, you won’t be able to use this method.
- These combination locks usually have a plastic button on one side with the 3 number dials at the very top. The number dials have an opening where you can see the gears inside of the lock.
- The normal surface of the circles has a groove in it. The opening will be flat around the edges and hollow in the center.
- If you have a larger or older combination lock, you may need to turn your numbers more than twice. Keep turning each dial 1 position clockwise until you can slide the button to open it up.
- If you meet any resistance when you open up your lock, you may need to spray some WD-40 into the mechanism to loosen it up.
Unlocking a TSA Lock
- This technique works great for top-down combination locks that don’t have any openings where you can see the grooves in the number circles.
- These locks usually have a plastic or metal button on one side with the number dials in the very middle. They don’t have an opening in the lock where you can see the inside of the number dials.
- This metal piece is what rotates the number circles on the inside of the lock.
- The indent won’t catch the light as well as the smooth sides, so it will be easier to see under a direct light.
- If you’re having trouble seeing the bracket, use the pointed end of a safety pin to poke into the bracket and feel the groove.
- Now you can slide the button to open up the lock.
- Write down the combination so that you don’t forget it.
Expert Q&A
- If all else fails, you can try every combination for a 3-digit lock in about 30 minutes. Thanks Helpful 203 Not Helpful 112
- You can also try the factory setting for the lock. Check the manual, if you still have it, to see what the combination is to reset your code. Thanks Helpful 61 Not Helpful 49
- Try to work on a flat surface in a quiet environment so you can concentrate. Thanks Helpful 28 Not Helpful 45
- Trying to pry or break a lock can damage it beyond repair. Thanks Helpful 13 Not Helpful 11
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- ↑ https://expertworldtravel.com/how-to-open-a-luggage-lock/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXX9wSpxork&feature=youtu.be&t=144
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxgbY4wTES0&feature=youtu.be&t=82
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxgbY4wTES0&feature=youtu.be&t=98
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxgbY4wTES0&feature=youtu.be&t=110
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxgbY4wTES0&feature=youtu.be&t=194
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxgbY4wTES0&feature=youtu.be&t=261
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Oct 30, 2022
Muleni Shamzer Mwanisa
Jul 31, 2022
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