Idling truck locks out driver

have you been locked out of your idling truck?
late for work, worried the fuel will run out before help arrives?
frantically search for someone who could help without damaging your ram truck?
why hasn't a class action suit been filed to request a recall on the dumbest idea since electric door locks were invented?
people in blizzard conditions warm up their vehicles up before driving into the blizzard, people with children and seniors may want to cool their cars before sitting in a hot summer blistering seat.
so what is the practical purpose of self locking doors while idling?
self shut off would make sense if the car was garaged or in an enclosed space and oxygen sensors were stifling for air.
but an idling truck that was just started and has not been driven 15 miles an hour has got to be the dumbest.
besides if i wanted my doors lock theres an electric door lock in the door.
who ever thought of this idea should have to pay for the services i must now render and my loss of fuel.
I just bought the truck and this being my 4th dodge I have to say I am really considering chevy or ford for my next purchase

My 05' won't let me lock doors with it running in park, But I also carry a spare key with me.

never had that happen to me

never had it happen, ever. you probably hit the lock button without realizing it.

On my '04, it won't let you lock the doors (with the power locks) while it's running in park with either the driver or passenger door open. My guess is you pushed the lock knob down while closing the door.

Either way it's not suppose to happen.

Originally Posted by MoparAndy04

On my '04, it won't let you lock the doors (with the power locks) while it's running in park with either the driver or passenger door open. My guess is you pushed the lock knob down while closing the door.

Either way it's not suppose to happen.

I think every vehicle Chrysler has made since the late 90s had the anti lock keys in truck software.

My 06 won't lock with the truck running in park unless I manually push down the lock knobs. Then I just use my spare key to open it.
Myrigga: Don't you have a spare key?

Would have had to manually lock each door for that to happen, I don't think even the key fob will let you lock the door if the truck is running. Sounds to me user error or do you have an auto start?

Do you have an after market remote starter? I cant lock my self out of my truck with it running, unless its with the remote start, but then I have the key with me. Sounds like there is something non stock with the system in your truck.

I have never had this happen... I have locked my keys in my truck with the truck off before, but that happens with any type of vehicle.

Well as the others have said it shouldn't let you. My '07 wouldn't let me lock the doors if one was open and the engine was running. If you have the doors closed and lock them, when you open the door to get out, at least that door will be unlocked (or all of them depending on how you have it set). So the only way to lock yourself out of your running truck with a properly functioning stock power lock system is by then pressing the lock down manually.
Seems hard to do, but I locked myself out of my '05 while it was running in a snow storm once. Couldn't blame the locks either, because I had manual locks in that truck. I was talking to a buddy, and wasn't paying attention. I must have pushed the lock down out of habit, and didn't realize I had done it until I tried to get back in and couldn't. That's why you keep a spare key at work, in your wallet, etc. It doesn't have to be the whole key fob, just a cheap metal key to work the door is all you need to unlock it and get in.

everyone assumes operator error.
but no i did not manually lock the door.
i did find an old owners manual that explains how to turn off auto lock on this model.
it is suppose to lock at 15MPH in drive.
i have now seperated the FOB from the key chain so it is like having two keys until i get another made.
I bought it used last week.
I had an '01 5.2L std model and only locked myself out once in 7 years. it came with two keys and i kept the spare in the engine compartment.
yes it autolocked me out, the towing service actually came out and opened it an hour and half later, in less than two minutes without damaging truck. and for free because he knew a friend that referred me.
says he sees a lot of the same thing.

This autolocking feature can be disabled if you turn the key to the on /off position 4 times in 10 seconds (not run position just on)
then lock door button within 30 seconds.
now at 15 mph the doors wont auto lock.
repeat procedure for enabling.
vehicle must be in park with seatbelt on and starting in off position.
I can lock and unlock doors with the fob while vehicle is running.
i tried it with the windows down.
so if it is not working for you either you all have defects or I do.
I would believe the latter, except there are hundreds of cases of the same incident involving other people on google.
some with very serious events involved.
there is a child safety switch on the back doors so there is no reason to really have a autolock feature.
driving is not a habit or routine, if u want your doors to lock push the damn button.

Originally Posted by Shots

Well as the others have said it shouldn't let you. My '07 wouldn't let me lock the doors if one was open and the engine was running. If you have the doors closed and lock them, when you open the door to get out, at least that door will be unlocked (or all of them depending on how you have it set). So the only way to lock yourself out of your running truck with a properly functioning stock power lock system is by then pressing the lock down manually.
Seems hard to do, but I locked myself out of my '05 while it was running in a snow storm once. Couldn't blame the locks either, because I had manual locks in that truck. I was talking to a buddy, and wasn't paying attention. I must have pushed the lock down out of habit, and didn't realize I had done it until I tried to get back in and couldn't. That's why you keep a spare key at work, in your wallet, etc. It doesn't have to be the whole key fob, just a cheap metal key to work the door is all you need to unlock it and get in.

I have made it a habit never to lock doors from inside vehicle. I taught my exwife the same thing, cause it got frustrating driving 20 Miles to unlock her car. always use a key to lock and unlock doors and you will never lock your self out. but then I didn't have electric locks on my '01. or my ram van or my Dart. i did have it on my sebring and neon. never had a problem.

I got in started pulled out of garage into open space of drive about one truck length. got out of truck, left it idling to warm up. opened back door, placed thermos on floor under seat, closed back door. closed front door went back to get coffee mug locked out.
chit happens.
i was pissed then.
confused now.
and still driving my dodge.

every car on the road has autolock. buying a chevy or ford wont help you there.

Originally Posted by myrigga

everyone assumes operator error.
but no i did not manually lock the door..........
I can lock and unlock doors with the fob while vehicle is running.
i tried it with the windows down.
so if it is not working for you either you all have defects or I do.
I would believe the latter, except there are hundreds of cases of the same incident involving other people on google........

Actually the assumption seems to have been operator error OR defective/aftermarket equipment.
As for your test. YES. You can lock the doors with the engine running, while in park, with the fob. However, this can only be done with the doors CLOSED. Try it again with the door open and it won't lock (assuming it is working right). They do this because if the door is closed you are either in the truck, or outside of it with the remote. Either way you aren't locked out.
Auto lock can be set 3 ways. It will lock at 15 mph, it will lock when you put the truck in gear (assuming auto transmission), or it can be disabled. There is no parameter for it to engage while stationary remaining in park.
I'm not saying that you're lying, or that it didn't happen to you. What I'm saying (and apparently everyone else here) is that there is no setting to allow for the truck to lock you out if it is a properly working stock system. Of all those reported cases on a google search you'll find many of them had animals or small children in the car. Those animals can step on the button and we all know kids push every button they see. The rest of them are likely operator error. Heck I would have blamed auto locks when I locked myself out of my '05, because I didn't remember ever pushing the lock. The only reason I knew it was me, is because I didn't have power locks in that truck.
So anyway the point in the long replay. If you got locked out you either have a glitch on the system, an aftermarket system that will lock while parked, or you unintentionally did it to yourself. Like I said, there is no setting on the auto lock feature that will lock the doors while the engine is running, and the transmission in park. It can be done by manually pushing the remote or in cab lock buttons (to be clear though this is not an autolock, but then you're either in the truck or have a remote in hand so you can open a door). That said, the lock buttons are disabled when the door is open, so you can't set your keys down after locking it and then shut the locked door.
All this is assuming you don't have a malfunctioning system. If you've got a glitch, then who knows what it will do, or when it will do it. Electrical gremlins can drive you nuts.

Originally Posted by myrigga

I have made it a habit never to lock doors from inside vehicle......

Yeah I did too after I locked myself out. I had manual locks so I got in the habit of hitting the lock as I got out of the truck. After locking myself out, I quickly broke that habit and started locking with the key. After getting a truck with power locks in '07, I don't think I've touched the lock since. I always use the remote from outside the vehicle.

hide a key it get me in every time

I can not lock my doors at all as well with the key in the ignition.

CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR SOMETHING YOU ARE DOING!

LOL

Lets see.. 6 Billion truck sold. Not one issue but yours. hmmmmmm

You must have an aftermarket alarm or some sort.

There are two lock features. 1. out of park and 2 at a 15mph roll..

I've had remote starts that I can start my truck with and the truck stays locked etc. But since you don't have that feature... you're like me.


Just think.. You get a Ford or Chevy.. they have the same feature. You better get a bike dude.


130 degrees outside. I go out and start the truck and let it cool off before the wife and kid get in the truck. NEVER HAD ONE PROBLEM DUDE!

I have an 03 and this has happened to me many times. One x-mas I was warming the truck up and it happened. I had to get a ride (over an hour each way) to get the key. Since then I have kept a spare key. I have gottten into the habit of making sure my window is open when warming and telling the shop to keep it open. A pain in the azz that I have not been able to fix. Mind that it doesn't always happen but you can count on it doing so at a bad time. If you find a solution or a shop fixes it, please pass it on.

My '03 will sit and idle for as long as I want without locking the doors. My Mazda and Chrysler will lock the doors if they're not opened within 30 seconds of unlocking. After that, they'll stay unlocked.

I have little/no use for remote start. I don't warm any of my vehicles before leaving - gas is too expensive for 0 mpg.

Go down to Lowes or home depot. Buy a key lock box. Install in secure location under truck but still accessible. Put in spare key. Done deal. Never have to worry bout being locked out.

Sent from my EVO LTE