OK this isn't that big of a deal, but it's something strange. In cold weather (45 or below I think) the power door locks have begun to lock themselves when I turn the key to start the truck. Anyone have this experience before or is my truck haunted in the winter?

 

First time I've heard of that on the Ranger.

Does everything else relating to the door locks function correctly (i.e., the remote, the door lock buttons, the anti-theft, etc.)?

 

Well the drivers side unlock switch hasn't been working for almost a year (lock function works though) and everything else is normal (keyless entry, anti theft, passenger side lock/unlock switch) Could it be that drivers side switch? I picked one up at the pull-your-own yard a while back, just haven't gotten around to putting it in.

 

Well, I wasn't really thinking about bad driver's side switch, but more whether there is a circuit fault somewhere within the PATS/anti-theft system. Such as, maybe something is triggering the door locks when it's not supposed to be.

On the '01 Ranger, there is a "Central Security Module" which controls the following features:

- remote keyless entry
- computer-operated lock system
- trim switch unlock inhibit

So I'm wondering if maybe there is something gone amok in the CSM circuitry. It would be worth checking the fuses associated with same, in any case:

Battery junction box (underhood) fuse#:
- 9 (20A).
- 11 (50A).
- 33 (15A).

Central junction box (inside cab) fuse #11 (7.5A).

 

My 03 Ranger locks the doors when I turn the key on...I thought that was normal..everything else works ok..they unlock when I turn the key off..

 

My 05 locks the doors when I put the truck in drive(automatic tranny) and unlocks when I put in Park.

 

First I've heard of a Ranger doing that ... mine doesn't. How did you activate that feature?

 

I had an aftermarket module in the door of my 97 F350 PSD that would lock the doors every time the ignition switch was turned to on or ACC. It was wearing out my actuators because when I would turn the switch on for the glow plugs the doors would lock, when I cranked the truck they would unlock and when the engine fired the doors would lock again. Also good way to lock yourself out in the winter when you just jump in with the door open and start the truck to warm up and go back inside shutting a locked door with the engine running. I had 6 keys to that truck because I got locked out so many times. Eventually took the module out when I found it. Took forever to figure out what caused it and I had pulled a lot of fuses but I was putting new speakers in the doors and discovered the small black box.

 

So I think I got it figured out. I guess my truck was just warning me that my battery was about to cr@p out. Temperatures here got into the single digits and the truck was really struggling to start (as if the battery was dead). I put a new battery in and it hasn't done the strange door locking thing since. So if anyone experiences this, get the battery tested. My battery was the original from the factory (8+ years old) so I guess I got my money's worth out of that one.

 

[quote=ctboyle03;8320492]So I think I got it figured out. I guess my truck was just warning me that my battery was about to cr@p out. Temperatures here got into the single digits and the truck was really struggling to start (as if the battery was dead). I put a new battery in and it hasn't done the strange door locking thing since. So if anyone experiences this, get the battery tested. My battery was the original from the factory (8+ years old) so I guess I got my money's worth out of that one.[/quote

I can't imagine a low battery sending a pulse to the BCM and locking the doors but you certainly did get your money's worth out of that battery. I have a 2004 Ranger and just had to replace the battery in it 2 weeks ago and it was the original Motorcraft battery. When I traded my 97 F350 Powerstroke in back in 2004 it still had the original batteries in it and was still starting fine.....pretty good batteries if you ask me.

 

Imagine it Level. I Had the exact same thing happening to my 03 explorer sport this past winter. A night of sitting In cold weather I'd get in turn it over and BAM doors would lock. Some times I'd get full ignition as quick as the doors would lock other times after the locks slammed down I'd get nothing. I'd turn it back over and it would start right away after that. Got a new battery and all is working great.