Doors Unlocking by Themselves?

[Ken B]

For the second time, I've noticed my truck doors are unlocking by themselves, and the dome light is going on and off. I had this happen once this summer and again tonight. It's like someone is sitting outside with my other remote unlocking the doors and locking them again(which they're not, the other set of keys are inside). No, it's not my wife playing jokes on me either. The first time this happened I called my local 5 star and explained the situation, and I think they thought I was crazy... they didn't have an explanation. Am I crazy, or has anyone else had this happen to them? Could there be a frequency that's interfering with my system?



Thanks in advance for any help, -Ken

 

[LoneRam]

Your not crazy

Ken, I'm glad you spoke up, it happend to me this weekend. I don't spend much time with my truck yet, it's on another island still. I've driven it 3 weekends now so I don't have alot of time or miles, 500mi, logged yet. I don't have any help for other than your not crazy unless that phantom remote can reach me too. Big antenna.

 

[illflem]

Never heard of this problem on a Dodge but that doesn't mean it can't happen. A friend of mine was having a similar problem with her Mercedes locking and unlocking on it's own. She found out quite accidentally while taking to a neighbor while sitting in her car that his dog training remote shock collar transmitter would make the doors lock/unlock. The transmitter had a range of two miles. I disabled the remote system on the Mercedes so that it would remain locked when she wanted it to, she went over to manual.



The frequencies for different types of devices are assigned by the FCC but due to the proliferation of remote devices the bands are being taken up and there may be some overlap. Could even be your neighbors garage door opener unlocking your doors. Most remotes allow you to change frequencies in case you run into this problem, not sure on the Dodge though. The Mercedes didn't. Owners manual will probably tell you.

 

[Steve G]

No your not crazy. I know someone at work that had the same thing on a brand new durango. Dodge could not fix it and they went to arbitration ( I think) and Dodge had to buy back the car and get them a new one. I can find out more info on this as what exactly it did and what they did if you like.



Steve

 

[SS]

Check TSB's

There is a TSB for the condition you describe - not saying it it still couldn't be interference from something else.



Try this:

http://dodgeram.org/tech/tsb/2000/08-041-00.htm



You might want to print it out and take it to the dealer. It says something like "replace lock cylinders if customer describes condition". No diagnosis should be required (no DRB hook-up or opening of the hood is necessary. )

 

[dresslered]

There was also a TSB out on faulty Central Timer Modules (CTM) which were prone to external interference.

 

[Ken B]

Thanks guys for all the help and info. Dodge TorqueWagon, I'll print out the TSB and go to my local 5 star for a fix. Thanks agian, -Ken