Found out my car door lock trick was causing a weird fault code on the elevator controller

So I've got this trick where I tap the car door lock with a rubber mallet if it's sticking, been doing it for years. Worked every time, or so I thought. Got a callback to a building downtown for a recurring fault 23 on the controller. The super said it only happened after we left. Spent a whole morning checking everything, from the lock contacts to the door operator board. Nothing. Finally, I'm watching the security footage with him, and there it is. Right after I gave the lock my usual 'persuasion', the car moved and the fault popped. The vibration from the hit was just enough to jiggle a slightly loose connection on the door zone board in the pit. Felt like a total idiot. Been chasing ghosts I created. Anyone else ever have a 'fix' that actually made a new problem?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_troy1mo ago

My old boss used to say my best tool was a hammer, but he never said it was a good thing. How many ghosts have you fixed into existence?

adam7511mo ago

That's not really a new problem though, is it? The fault was already there with a loose connection. Your trick just made it show up. It's like kicking a vending machine to get a snack that was already stuck. The real fix was finding and tightening that board. The mallet just did the diagnostic work for you.

henry3151mo ago

Okay but calling it a "fault" feels a bit strong. If the thing worked fine for years until it got a whack, that loose connection wasn't really hurting anything. It's more like a quirk than a real problem. Most people would just keep tapping it now and then instead of taking the whole thing apart. The fix only matters if you care about it being perfect.