I own a 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan. When I bought it, I had the local dealer "remove" the feature that automatically locks all the doors when you hit 15mph. Allegedly,they re-programmed the ECM to do this, and charged me $35.00.

I absolutely hate this feature, because if you forget to unlock the entire car when you get out, you can only get back in through the driver's door unless you fumble for the keys again. I usually bust my fingernails when my hand slips out of the handle as I try to open the locked back hatch.

I recently had to repair the window drive mechanism in the passenger-side door, and in the process had to disconnect the wire harness connector to the power window switch on that side. After I got it all back together, the automatic door lock feature has returned - for some strange reason. The Dodge garage wants $55.00 to "remove" it again, but I don't feel like getting ripped off a 2nd time on this, because I know it only takes them about 2 minutes to do it.

Is there some way that I can "remove" this feature myself? Somewhere I heard overheard someone saying there was a way of doing this with some on/off sequence of the ignition key. I need to retain the ability to lock and unlock the vehicle with the key chain fob transmitter, so disabling the entire locking system isn't an option.

Thanks in advance for any helpful suggestions.

BTW, my wife drives this vehicle. I have an '87 F-150.

 

Have you looked in the owners manual??

Our Fords have the procedure for diabling the belt minder right in the back..
Don't own any Dodge products so can say if they have it..

 

On my 96, there was a process involving switching the igntion on and off 5 times plus some other stuff with the lock itself.

It was covered in my owner's manual. If you can't find it, you might check out allpar.com. It's a pale imitation of FTE, but they do have a good minivan forum

 

I've got it: don't go over 15 mph.

(sorry, just thought I'd liven up the thread a bit. )

 

Should be a simple sequence listed in your owners manual to disable it once or to disable it forever. I'd never use that dealer again for charging to do that.

 

Look again in the owners manual (or find someone who has one) There should be a procedure. As stated above for the Fords it's easy to do-- even I was able to disable it on my wife's 04 Merc.

 

DOH! The procedure WAS in the owner's manual.

1. Unlock all doors, with all of them shut.
2. Cycle the ignition key ON and OFF four times, stopping in OFF position.
3. Using the driver's side electric lock switch, lock all doors. Chime 'dings" once to
confirm.

Follow the same procedure to turn automatic locking feature back on.

Thanks for the suggestions, Ford2go, Galaxie641, and GLR. I should have followed my own advice I give to people - RTFM (Read The Freakin' Manual)!

 

OOPS! I missed saying "Thanks" to donjamer, too.

 

Those instructions are almost as crazy as the ones to shut off the seat belt dinger!

 

a 35$ lesson

 

You mean like this?????

 

That'll shut off the automatic door locks, dinger, or anything else that is bothering you. Great!!!

 

BTW,,,, Did anybody notice????
It's a Ford EXP!!