Why won't Google ADM reset my alternate password?

[charger440sixpack]

Accidentally exceeded the attempts on the fingerprint reader so it locked out and now the S5 wants the alternate password. The FP reader has been working well for almost a year so I've never had to use the password and, yes I don't remember it. I don't even recall ever setting one. Anyway, after trying past passwords including my Gmail account password, none worked. After searching online for a password recovery method, I found references to www.google.com/android/devicemanager and tried several times to use the Lock button to reset my password but it fails with a message about something to do with google detecting the phone is locked. No kidding, why do you think I'm trying to reset the password? After trying the new password and verifying it didn't work, the phone said it's on the last attempt before it automatically does a factory reset so I now I'm stuck. If I've logged into my google account and it sees my phone, [removal required by the Verizon Wireless Terms of Service] difference does it make that it's locked? I should be able to reset the password so I can unlock the [removed] thing. The Samsung people were not much help since I never setup an account with them (I was never informed I should do this...). I really don't want to have to factory reset my phone if I don't have to. Anyone found a way out of this trap (thanks for nothing google)?