I have a '98 XLT with remote locking and the keypad on the door.

The autolock feature used to be on so when you put the car in reverse and let go of the brake pedal it will automatically lock the doors. I disabled it via the keypad and I now want to get it back on.

I tried turning it on with the ignition key as it states in the manual (turn key on, press unlock 3 times etc. etc.) but no luck. It won't even sound the horn to say I did it right. So I tried using the key pad and this time the horn sounds (one short bip than a longer one) but the doors still don't lock.

Anybody has any idea how to get it to work ? It worked fine until I disabled it about a month ago

 

To enable or disable autolock using the keyless entry keypad:

Enter the five-digit permanent entry code into the keyless entry keypad.
Within five seconds of entering the code, press and hold the 7/8 button on the keypad.
Within five seconds of Step 2, and while holding the 7/8 button, press the 3/4 button on the keypad and release it.
Within five seconds of Step 3, release the 7/8 button on the keypad.
If the autolock sound is disabled, the horn will chirp once. If the autolock feature is enabled, the horn will chirp once shortly and then sound a second time with a longer sound of the horn once the above sequence is completed.

Autolock Enable/Disable — Using the Ignition Switch

Another way to turn the autolock off/on is by following this series of steps:

Confirm that the perimeter alarm is disarmed.
Close all doors.
Confirm that the ignition switch is in the OFF position.
NOTE: Steps 4 through 8 must be performed within 30 seconds.

Turn the ignition switch from OFF to RUN.
Press the power door lock UNLOCK button three times.
Turn the ignition switch from RUN to OFF.
Press the power door lock UNLOCK button three times.
Turn the ignition switch from OFF to RUN.
Verify that the RAP module chirps the horn. This indicates that the RAP module is now in the enable/disable mode and ready to accept program changes.
Press the power door lock UNLOCK button one time to command the RAP module to toggle the autolock/relock feature OFF.
Press the power door lock LOCK button once to enter the command.
Verify that the horn chirps one time to signal the RAP module confirmation of the command. There should only be one chirp indicating that autolock/relock feature has been disabled. If one chirp is heard, followed by a longer sound of the horn, the autolock/relock feature has just been enabled. Return to step 10.
Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position to exit the enable/disable mode.
Exit the vehicle and verify that the RAP module chirps the horn once to indicate that a feature has been changed and that autolock/relock has been disabled.

 

I have the manual and I did exactly what you wrote in your post. The horn will sound a short chirp and then a long one to confirm autolock is on but it still doesn't work.

 

The doors will not lock if the vehicle is started in neutral and passed into any forward gear.

If the autolock feature is enabled, the autolock feature will activate when the ignition switch is in the RUN/ACC position, the shift control selector is passed into or through the reverse (R) position and all doors, liftgate and liftgate window are closed when the driver releases the brake pedal (2455). Do your reverse lights work? Brake lights?

 

Dammit. The brake lights don't work. I'm on it now ! Probably the unit is shot.

 

check fuse #13

 

OK. I fixed it.

Apparantly, the brake light swith was not working. So I took it off and took it apart and some crap from the plastic melted a bit and prevented the metal thing to touch the other metal thing and close the circuit. I cleaned it up and it's working fine now and so does the autolock system.

It's a good thing I wanted to get the autolock to work or otherwise I would have never found out about the brake lights.

Is this a common problem with the switch ?

Also, I was checking the fuses and I made sure the fuse is o.k. but I also checked the fuses under the hood. I made sure everything sits properly but I must have moved the anti theft relay because the car wouldn't start. It took me a couple of minutes to find it and push it in properly. Now it all works fine.

 

Glad you got it fixed!

 

Thanks for the help.