Safe lock help · Kaba Mas
Safe lock troubleshooting › Kaba Mas › X-08 (dial-powered, GSA)
The Kaba Mas X-08 is a GSA-approved (Type 1F) high-security electronic lock. It has no battery: you power it by spinning the dial left. Unlike the X-09 and X-10, you then dial right to each number and the display tells you which one it wants (E1, E2, E3). This guide covers how to power and open it, relock, change the combination, and read the display.
Want the whole manual? Jump to the manufacturer download links.
Is this your lock?
- The Kaba Mas X-07, X-08, X-09 and X-10 are the locks used on government (GSA) security containers. The X-08 is an older model that is still found on GSA containers.
- A dial with a small LCD display and no keypad. The display shows E1, E2 and E3 as it asks for each number of the combination.
- The combination is three numbers. The lock works in single, dual or supervisory/subordinate mode.
- If your display shows the first number right away and you dial left-right-left, you have a different X-series lock: see the X-07, X-09 or X-10 guide.
How to power it and open it
Dial with full wrist turns. The X-08 watches for robotic dialing: if you dial more than 1.3 turns clockwise without any pause, it may think you are a machine and not open even with the right combination. Pause as you dial.
- Power the lock. Dial left (counter-clockwise) until something appears on the display. It usually takes 4 to 6 turns. E1 appears.
- Dial right (clockwise) to the first number of your combination. Stop on it and wait until E2 appears (about 2 seconds).
- Dial right to the second number. Stop and wait until E3 appears.
- Dial right to the third number. Stop and wait until OP appears.
- Dial right to retract the bolt.
- Open the safe handle and the door.
Dual combination mode (two people)
- The first operator powers the lock and dials the first combination to the right (E1, E2, E3). The display shows dL.
- The second operator dials left until C2 appears and then dials the second combination the same way, until OP appears.
- The second combination must be started within 10 seconds of the first. Dial right to retract the bolt.
Supervisory / subordinate mode
- The supervisor dials the supervisory combination (E1, E2, E3). The display shows UL (Unlocked). Now the subordinate combination alone opens the lock.
- The subordinate powers the lock, dials the subordinate combination to OP, then right to retract the bolt.
- To block the subordinate again, the supervisor dials the supervisory combination again and the display shows LU (Locked Up).
- Watch for 00 and 50. After each prompt, the first numbers to appear when you dial right are alternately 00 or 50. If one of those is part of your combination, do not stop on it the first time it appears: keep dialing until it comes around a second time.
- If the dial stays still for more than 10 seconds, the display goes blank and you must dial the whole combination again.
- If you pass your target number by 10 or more, keep dialing until you reach it again. If you pass it by 9 or less, dial left and the display jumps back about 10 numbers, then dial slowly right to the number.
- If you stop on a wrong number for E1 or E2, dial left to go back to that prompt and try the number again. If you stop on a wrong number for E3 and a lightning bolt shows, dial left before the bolt disappears to return to E3.
- If the screen goes blank before the bolt retracts, or a lightning bolt shows after you backed up and redialed a correct number, dial the entire combination again.
No battery to change
There is no battery in an X-08. Spinning the dial left generates the power, and the lock is powered as soon as anything appears on the display. If the display never lights up, dial left with steady, full turns (4 to 6 turns). If it still does not respond, call us.
How to change the combination
You need the Change Key, the current combination, and the safe door open.
The Change Key is a separate key that came with the lock. If you do not have it, or you do not know the current combination, do not experiment: call us. Test the new combination several times before you close the door.
These steps set a single three-number combination. Dual and supervisory/subordinate mode use the same steps with a second combination: see the manual below.
- Open the lock with the current combination and remove the dust cover to reach the change key holes on the back of the lock.
- Insert the Change Key into the change key holes. Hold your thumb on the key’s retractor while you insert it, so the pins go into the lock.
- Release the container locking bolts (different containers release differently).
- Dial left until the Change Key symbol shows in the upper right with E1. The lock never opens while the key symbol is showing.
- Dial your current combination, right to each prompt as for opening. SL (Select Mode) appears.
- Dial right to 1 (Single Combination mode). Stop and wait about 2 seconds. Do not stop on zero. dL appears.
- Dial left until EC appears.
- Dial right to dial your new combination: first number (E1), second (E2), third (E3). The new combination is shown twice, then PO.
- Pull out the Change Key. The key symbol disappears and dL appears. If the numbers shown were wrong, pull the key out while the display is still flashing, and start again at EC.
- Dial left. CC (Confirm Combination) appears.
- Dial the new combination again to confirm it. OP appears and the new combination is set.
- Test the new combination several times before closing the door.
- If the door shuts with the Change Key still in the lock, call us.
What the display shows
The X-08 uses a display instead of beeps.
| Display | What it means |
|---|---|
| Blank | The lock is powered down or reset. Dial left to power it. |
| E1, E2, E3 | The lock is waiting for the first, second or third number of the combination. |
| OP with a right arrow | Open right: keep dialing right to retract the bolt. |
| dL with a left arrow | The lock needs more power. Dial left until the right arrow and the earlier display come back. |
| Lightning bolt | An incorrect combination was dialed. |
| Lightning bolt with a number | The number of wrong combinations in a row. Shown only after 3 or more. |
| SA | Surreptitious Attempt: 15 wrong combinations. The lock needs a special reset before it opens. Call us. |
| Key symbol | The Change Key is inserted and the lock is in change mode. |
| SL / EC / PO / CC | Select mode, Enter combination, Pull out the Change Key, Confirm combination (during a change). |
| C1 / C2 | Enter the first or second combination (dual and supervisory modes). |
| UL / LU | Unlocked / Locked Up (supervisory/subordinate mode). |
Wrong-combination count
The X-08 keeps count of wrong combinations in a row and shows the count with a lightning bolt when you power it, once there are 3 or more. At fifteen wrong attempts it shows SA (Surreptitious Attempt) and will not open until it is reset with a special reset combination. The count goes back to zero when the lock is opened successfully. If you see SA, do not keep dialing: call us.
How to close and relock
- Close the safe door.
- Turn the dial left one complete revolution to extend the bolt and lock the container.
If it still won’t open
The display stays blank
Dial left with full, steady turns for 4 to 6 turns. The lock is powered once anything appears on the display.
I dialed the right combination and got a lightning bolt
Redial the whole combination slowly with a pause on each number. Remember the 00 and 50 rule: if one of those is in your combination, let it go by the first time and stop on it the second time.
The display says SA
The lock has registered 15 wrong attempts. It needs a reset before it will open. Call us.
I cannot remove the back cover
The X-08’s Lock On Back Cover feature locks the cover so it cannot come off without damage unless the lock is opened first. Do not force it: call us.
Download the full manufacturer instructions
This page is a quick-reference summary. For every feature and diagram, use the official manual for your model:
- Kaba Mas X-08 Operating Instructions (PDF)Kaba Mas / Mas-Hamilton X-08 Type 1F instructions. Hosted by MBA USA, the GSA lock distributor.
- Kaba Mas X-08 Installation Manual (PDF)Hosted by MBA USA.
- MBA USA government (GSA) security downloadsManuals for the X-07, X-08, X-09, X-10 and S&G 2740.
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More lock guides
About this guide. This is an independent guide from Steve’s Lock, Safe and Alarm, a safe and lock dealer. Brand and model names belong to their owners and are used only to help you identify your lock. We are not affiliated with the manufacturers. These steps summarize the manufacturers’ own instructions; your lock may be a different version, so if anything here does not match what your lock does, follow your manual or call us. Always change codes with the safe door open, and test the new code several times before you close the door.
Steps last checked against the manufacturer documents on October 15, 2026.