Kaba E-Plex 5000 Electronic Pushbutton Lock - Programming and Service

Operations reference for the E-Plex 5000 keypad lock: master/manager/user/service code structure, keypad programming command sequences, tamper lockout and passage mode behavior, LED feedback meanings, and battery service.

Overview

The Kaba E-Plex 5000 is a self-contained, battery-powered electronic pushbutton lock. All programming is done at the keypad - no wiring, no software required (optional PC software and an M-Unit maintenance user exist but are not needed for normal fleet service). The lock ships in factory mode with a factory default 8-digit master code; it will not enter normal service until that code is changed. Change the factory default code immediately on delivery - see your Farber delivery packet for the as-shipped credentials.

States and user levels

The lock has three states: factory mode (as shipped), access mode (normal operation), and pushbutton programming mode. Programming mode is entered by keying # + master or manager code + #; each command ends with # (which acts like Enter), and one final extra # exits back to access mode. The lock auto-exits programming after 15 seconds of inactivity, and the * key clears a botched entry and restarts the current command.

Five user levels exist. The single Master (user location 000) can program everything. Managers can program most functions but cannot change the code length, lock ID, master code, date/time, resets, lockout mode, or manage other managers. Access Users can only open the door. Service Users get a code valid for a set number of hours (1-24) starting from first use, after which it self-deletes; a duration of 00 creates a one-shot code good for a single entry. The user table holds 100 codes total (000-099). User codes may be 4-8 digits (set once, at initial setup, for the whole lock - the master is always 8 digits), and no user code may share the exact same digits in the same positions as the master code.

Initial setup sequence

Set access code length (only possible in factory mode): 009#LL# where LL = 04-08.
Change the master code: 000#MMMMMMMM#MMMMMMMM# (new 8-digit code, entered twice). This activates the lock.
Set date and time: 001#MMDDYY#MMDDYY# and 002#HHMM#HHMM# (24-hour clock, standard time).
Set lock ID 003#NNNN# and unlock time 004#TT# (TT = 02-20 seconds the latch stays released).

Everyday code management

Add/modify user: 100#NNN#code#code# (NNN = location 001-099).
Add/modify manager: 101#NNN#code#code# (master only).
Add service user: 102#NNN#code#code#HH# (HH = 01-24 hours; 00 = one-shot).
Delete: 200#NNN# user, 201#NNN# manager, 202#NNN# service; 299# deletes all user/service codes but keeps master, managers, and M-Unit.
De-activate / re-activate (for vacations - keeps the slot): 400#NNN# / 300#NNN# for users, 401/301 for managers, 402/302 for service users; 498# / 398# for all at once.
Passage mode (door unlocked for a timed period): set duration with 005#TT# (01-24 h, 00 = unlimited), then toggle with 399#1# (on) / 399#0# (off). The relock timer runs from the original activation regardless of toggling.
Lockout mode (master only - disables every code except master): 499#1# on, 499#0# off.

Maintain a written roster of which location number belongs to which person - the lock cannot list its users at the keypad.

Tamper lockout behavior

After a set number of wrong codes (007#TT#, 3-9 attempts, default 4) the lock enters tamper shutdown for a set time (006#TT#, 0-90 seconds, default 30). During shutdown the red LED flashes about every 10 seconds and no code works - not even master or manager. Only the mechanical key override opens the door until the period expires. This is normal behavior, not a fault; wait out the timer.

Resets

099# restores factory settings but keeps codes, code length, and date/time. 299# wipes user and service codes only. A hard reset (key inserted and held open, press #, release the latch, then key the factory default 8-digit sequence ending in # while the red/green LEDs flash) returns the lock fully to factory mode, deleting all codes - the factory master code is then live again, so reprogram immediately.

LED feedback quick reference

Green flash on code entry: access granted.
Red flash: access denied / invalid entry (including a duplicate code during programming).
Green then steady behavior during programming: valid command accepted; red = invalid command.
Red and green together on a valid code: low battery - replace batteries promptly.
Alternating red/green: communication or hard-reset sequence in progress.

Battery service

E-Plex 5031 models run on 4 AA alkaline batteries, good for up to roughly 180,000 openings under average conditions. Replace as soon as the low-battery flash (red + green together on a valid code) appears. Date and time survive a battery change if the swap takes under two minutes; longer than that resets the clock to 00:00 and 01/01/00, and it must be re-entered with 001/002 commands. Codes are unaffected by battery removal. Keypad diagnostics: 500#1234567890*# tests every button - a red LED on any press indicates a keypad fault; if it repeats, replace the lock.

Warranty notes

Kaba warrants the lock for three years from installation. Using the door with a wall bumper voids the warranty (use a floor stop), as does substituting non-Kaba parts. Returns require an RGA number from Kaba customer service and the lock serial number.

Maintenance schedule

Task	Interval	Parts	Notes
Replace keypad batteries	24 months	AA-ALK AA alkaline battery	4 x AA alkaline (E-Plex 5031). Rated up to ~180,000 openings; replace immediately when red+green LEDs flash together on a valid code. Complete the swap in under 2 minutes to preserve date/time, or re-enter with 001#/002# commands.
Verify and correct lock date/time (001# date, 002# time commands)	6 months	—	Accurate date/time is required for audit accuracy. Enter standard (non-DST) time, 24-hour format.
Audit the user code roster: delete departed users (200#NNN#), reconcile written location list against active staff	6 months	—	Delete frees the location for reuse; de-activate (400#NNN#) only for temporary absence. The lock cannot enumerate users at the keypad, so the paper/CMMS roster is the source of truth.
Run keypad diagnostics (500#1234567890*#) and exercise the mechanical key override	12 months	—	Green LED + beep per button = pass. Any red response = keypad fault; retry once, then replace the lock. Key override must work - it is the only entry during tamper shutdown.

Troubleshooting

No code works, including master; red LED flashing every ~10 seconds

Lock is in tamper shutdown after repeated wrong codes - wait out the shutdown timer (0-90 s, default 30 s); only the mechanical key opens it during this window
If shutdown repeats immediately, someone is re-entering wrong codes; review the tamper settings 006#/007# and consider a lockout-mode investigation

Valid code flashes both red and green but door opens

This is the low-battery warning, not a fault - replace the 4 AA alkaline batteries as soon as possible
After replacement, verify date/time (lost if batteries were out more than 2 minutes)

New user code is rejected during programming (red LED on entry)

Code length must exactly match the lock's programmed access code length (4-8 digits, set at initial setup)
Code must not duplicate an existing code, and must not match the master code digits in the same positions
If the location number is only de-activated rather than deleted, the slot cannot accept a new code - delete it first (200#NNN#)
Watch the 15-second programming timeout and the 5-second between-key limit; press * to clear and start the command again

Master code does not enter programming mode

Confirm the # key is used before and after the code (#mastercode#) - without the leading # the lock treats it as a door-open request
If the master code is lost, perform the hard reset (key held open, press #, release latch, factory sequence while LEDs alternate) - this deletes all codes; reprogram from the Farber delivery packet record
Check for tamper shutdown in progress - programming is also blocked during shutdown

Door relocks too quickly or stays unlocked

Adjust unlock time: 004#TT# (02-20 seconds)
If the door stays unlocked for hours, passage mode is active - disable with 399#0#, and review the passage duration 005#TT# (00 means no time limit)
Confirm no one enabled passage mode with a manager code unintentionally

Service (contractor) code stopped working

Service codes self-delete when their programmed hour window (started at first use) expires - re-add with 102#NNN#code#code#HH#
A 00-hour service code is one-shot: it allows exactly one entry
Check whether the code was de-activated (402#) rather than expired - reactivate with 302#NNN#

Individual buttons unresponsive or wrong feedback

Run the diagnostic: enter programming mode, then 500#1234567890*# - each good button gives green + beep, any red indicates keypad trouble
Repeat once to rule out entry-order error; persistent red means the lock needs repair or replacement under the 3-year warranty (obtain RGA and serial number first)

Service parts reference

Part number	Description	Type
AA-ALK	AA alkaline battery (set of 4 per lock, E-Plex 5031)	consumable
EPLEX-5000-CYL	Mechanical key override cylinder and keys (coach-specific keying)	repair
EPLEX-5000	Complete E-Plex 5000 lockset (latch and strike must accompany any warranty return)	repair

Based on: Kaba E-Plex 5000 Operations Manual (PKG-2994 0905). This guide is an original work; always confirm procedures against your unit's build record and the manufacturer's current documentation.

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