Sentry safe The safe I own was given to me from my son who bought it used from someone. I used the same combination that was given to me from him and now it doesn't work. My wife opened it one day and accidently closed the handle with the door open. She tried to unlock the handle using the combination but it wouldn't open. The error light would come on. I replaced the battery but it did the same thing. I removed the back cover on the door so I could unlatch the handle locking pin and turn the handle. The combination still doesn't work and the error light still comes on. The model number 1610 doesn't come up on the list on the sentry web site.

**** seyntry safes....piece of **** has all my important documents stuck in it.

You want to be sure not to suffer a "lock out". Now, that'll cost you a few bucks -- probably more than the safe is worth...

I am quite familiar with combination lock safes, and I know that one cannot hurt them by locking them whilst the door is open, and I'd guess that digital ones should not be damaged by locking them open either.

After all, for a large safe that isn't being used, I prefer to lock them open.... no one can get stuck inside one and if I forget the combination, I can get it easily directly from the lock itself.

I'd look for a sensor that is confused. There must be several inputs to the lock that tell it that all is right with the world --- Above all, do not put anything into the safe until you have fixed the problem or decided to 'deep six' the safe.

Regarding the error message. Does the error light blink four times or in some pattern? If there is any pattern to the blinking it could be a message that tells you what is causing the problem.

If all else fails... I'd suggest a locksmith. There is something going on inside that lock that isn't right.

Calling a locksmith may not be cost effective, since he has to make money, and the safe itself isn't all that high qualtiy or expensive to begin with.