Doors locked themselves, engine running, stationery

I have a 2001Sebring convertible LXi. After work just before Christmas,
I went out to the parking lot, unlocked the car (with the remote) then
started the car to get the engine warming while I brushed off the snow.
I closed the door because it stops the snow falling inside!

When I finished, I went to open the door and it was locked!. I do not
know whether it locked immediately it closed or after a few moments.

Obviously this was pretty inconvenient as I had to call home for the
spare keys to be carried out to me!

Any ideas about possible causes? I am thinking of getting something
that lets me easily detach the key from the remote so I can keep the
remote in my hand or pocket in case it happens again.

 

Any ideas about possible causes?

Moisture from precip.

Best idea yet.

 

I had the exact same thing happen to me one time a couple of years ago.
It hasn't happened since.

The most likely thing is that we inadvertently hit the lock buttons on
our respective remotes just after we started our cars (even more
plausible if you had thick winter gloves on, were cold and moving around
spastically to get done quickly, keep warm, etc.), and then shut the
(locked) doors. After realizing that that is probably what happened, I
have always been real careful to not accidentally hit any buttons on the
remote, and, like I said, it has not happened again.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

 

Hi...

Had my grand daughter lock us out once... not fun

A spare key without the fancy rubberish top is quite thin, and
fits nicely inside one of the little compartments in my wallet.

Just have to remember that I have to unlock only the passenger door
with it, 'cause the switch is broken on the drivers side.

Ken

 

The disarm switch inside the door may have shorted out from water and caused
the doors to lock. A common problem with the Mini vans.

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

 

No idea what is causing your door locking problem, but I seem to recall
using a magnetic spare key holder years back. I used to locate it under my
front bumper back when they were made from steel and chrome.

Bob

 

"Hi...

Had my grand daughter lock us out once... not fun

A spare key without the fancy rubberish top is quite thin, and
fits nicely inside one of the little compartments in my wallet.

Just have to remember that I have to unlock only the passenger door
with it, 'cause the switch is broken on the drivers side.

Ken"
===============================================
I had a REGULAR key cut for my 2001 PT from the valet key....does not and
will not start the PT.
I cut the top off the key just leaving the teeth ONLY..........it is about 1
inch long and taped (duct tape) to a very easy place to get to. Will open
the doors.......that is all that is needed.

HNY h

 

One inch? How do you turn it? And how do you get it out of the lock afterwards?

 

"One inch? How do you turn it? And how do you get it out of the lock
afterwards"

I have strong enough fingers to turn it.
It is only the DOOR LOCK......and it does not take much movement.

If you are thinking about it, start with the key a little longer and
gradually trim both in length and width as short and as narrow as you can
and still turn it in the DOOR.....the trunk (back hatch) is a VERY SHORT
TURN to open.
The obvious place is the gas cap door, but way too easy to find..mine is
taped behind the front license plate.........

h

 

Why not just carry two keys on different keyrings? Or is that just
too obvious?

 

I have strong enough fingers to turn it.

Wow, I pick locks as a hobby, and on occasion have to open a car door. Even with
my tension bars I can't usually 'trip' the tumbler with using a key tip or
pocketknife blade after tripping the tumblers. You must have strong fingers
indeed.

I just carry a door key in my wallet. That way the thief (and they admit they
check all those 'hiding places') will have to really work hard to get into MY
Plymouth Voyager - hah hah! A flat tip screwdriver and a coat hanger and they're
in! Argh!