It is pretty chilly this time of year and it takes awhile for the truck to warm up. So, I figure I'll let it idle when I run into the store, etc. To prevent anyone from driving off with it, I figure I'll put a quick-detach on my key fob and lock the doors with it running. Then I can just use the remote to unlock it and let myself in.
Fortunately, I gave it a trial run before actually leaving the vehicle running and locking the door behind me on the way out!
It appears that the remote will not work to lock or unlock the doors when the engine is running.
Anyone know a workaround or is there something that can be done to make it work?
I guess I can always just put the spare key on the quick detach and use that to let myself in, but it kinda defeats the purpose of a spare key if I were to accidentally lock both of them in the vehicle.

 

Ya I found that out a while back too. Pretty annoying! I think it might even be the case with just the key in the ignition but I can't remember. I Don't know of a way around it other than if you installed a remote start. They have the ability to keep the engine running with the key removed and if somebody gets in and tries to drive it it dies when the brake pedal is pushed.

 

You can just do what I do. Undo the latch on your vent window. When you come back out, push it open and unlock your rig. Works for me. My PowerSmoke aint been stolen yet.

 

The more I think about it though, it seems like there must be a wire that can be disconnected to disable this function.
I'll check tomorrow to see if the key needs merely to be in the ignition or if the truck actually has to be running for the remote lock to be disabled.
It seems like a simple interlock that cuts power to or from the receiver unit for the remote.
I will figure this out! I mean if you can stop the annoying door chime by simply removing a plugged in relay device under the dash, I should be able to find the receiver box for the remote and disable this function.
Hopefully someone else here knows where it is.

 

under dash off to the right side of the steering column, not quite behind the radio/heater controls. its a black plastic box awith 3 seperate flat connectors hooked to it. one of the harnesses has a two pronged connector pigtailed out of it.

 

Excellent!
I have to wait until it warms up enough to do the job outside since I don't have a garage, but I'll let you know what I find out.

 

There is a wire under the dash near the gas pedal that you can snip and it will allow you to use the remote while the truck is running. That's it . You cut it and you're done. If you ever want to reconnect it all you have to do is butt connect it. Very simple. Can't remember which one it is right now. But as soon as I do I will post it. It is one of the wires that goes to the pedal, I think. I'm looking and trying to remember.

 

I have a keyless entry/alarm system on mine, along with a seperate remote start, and with the key in-engine running I can pop the remote off and lock the door. I dont know what will happen if someone opened a door, Ill have to check that out tomorow since I dont have power to my d-side rear door for the power lock to work....but if I open with the alarm armed it will set the alarm off because of the door light.
...but I do leave my truck running and use the remote to lock it for relatively quick stops.

 

I know this doesn't really help ya'll but my ignition is so worn where the key goes in that after I start the truck the key can be pulled out. It comes out just as easy as it goes in. I can't start the truck without it, but it does allow me to lock the truck with it running. Found out one day by accident.

 

My old '88 gasser did that, too.
This one is not that worn out yet!

 

I had to replace the ignition on mine. Different key, problem solved. LOL. Do the 94.5 have the ability for keyless entry? Factory that is.

 

I've looked and looked and looked. 60 old threads at blazing dial-up speed. I'm talking hours here. There was a thread about a year ago which went over this in detail. It described and located the wire exactly. I didn't have a keyless truck then so I didn't do anything and so I can't remember. If only Ryan(1997F-350) were here. He was in on it but to search all his old posts would take me another 5 hours. By the way, can't wait to have him back. He is a GREAT guy and really knows his stuff.

A side note to everybody..... It is quite important in the big scheme of things to put up accurate and pertinent information in your thread titles. I am looking back at the piece we are working on right now and thinking that it would be good if it said "keyless entry question" or "using keyless with engine running". We all do it and I have looked back at some of my own old threads and I wonder what I was thinking. Sometimes I even wonder IF I was thinking. So anyway, please take care when starting a thread to use descriptive wording so we can find it easier later. "Where to start", "quick question", "boy am I mad", and "why me" are some of the examples of thread titles that make it hard to go back and find information later. I found one page with "problem" and "new problem" listed 5 spaces apart. Different authors, different subjects but no idea about subject matter.

 

This sounds interesting. What did you find out?

I'd like the ability to lock my truck with the engine running, with the A/C or heater running, too.

 

Ditto my last post.

 

Ok, dumb question time. Do you guys have 2 keys, one for the door, and a different one for the ignition? Mine does, it's not remote keyless. Can't you just unlock the door with your other key, assuming it's in your pocket and not dangling from the column?