Turning of the auto locks

Ag Teacher · January 6, 2005

Well - I've got my new '05 2500HD Ext Cab LS equipped with a 5 speed manual. Here's my gripe.

The power locks. They lock as soon as you hit 8 MPH and don't unlock unless use the botton on the door or pull out the key. Who was the engineer that came up with this?

I assumed I could simply disable this function with the D.I.C. controls. Wrong. On the auto, they unlock when you put it in park but since the 5 speeds don't have park, they only open when the key is pulled. I guess they're just giving all of the farm and work business to Ford and Dodge cause this is a pain for anyone that has to stop and open gates.

Anyway, anyone know how to disable this junk? Fuses, etc. I've read the manual and it's not something that can be done with the push of a button.

Anyone else annoyed by this?

lazer · January 6, 2005

I was able to disable this on my 02. I was suprised that I can't disable it on my 05. But I do have the automatic, so I can see where it would be a real pain with a standard.

71GMC_3/4T · January 6, 2005

On my '03 you can scroll through the DIC and change the Auto-Lock function from Off to Out of Park to Above 8mph. You can also change the Auto-Unlock function from Off to Park to Key Removed. I leave them both off.

Scroll through the menus, it should be in there.

gmbellew · January 6, 2005

On my '03 you can scroll through the DIC and change the Auto-Lock function from Off to Out of Park to Above 8mph. You can also change the Auto-Unlock function from Off to Park to Key Removed.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

same on my 04.

GM-Tech · January 6, 2005

I wouldn't be surprised if this is a federally mandated "safety" requirement. That is, the fact that they lock automatically and this can't be turned off.

P.S. I get so tired of hearing "GM is the devil" that I just had to go looking because I knew I could find something about this...

SEC. 2. ANTICARJACKING AUTOMOBILE SAFETY LOCKS.

(a) IN GENERAL- Title 49 of the United States Code is amended by inserting after section 30127 the following new section:

`Sec. 30128. Occupant safety locks

`Not later than January 1, 2004, the Secretary of Transportation shall prescribe under this chapter an amendment to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 206 (49 C.F.R. 571.206) issued under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966. The amendment shall require that all passenger cars (as such term is defined in section 30127(a)(3)) manufactured after December 31, 2005, shall be fitted with--

`(1) equipment that automatically locks the doors of the vehicle when--

`(A) the vehicle transmission is engaged; or

`(B) the vehicle reaches a specified rate of speed; and

`(2) vehicle trunk lock mechanisms that permit unlatching from inside the trunk.'.

So, I vote we change the subject of this thread to, "The federal government, not GM, is the devil!"

Ag Teacher · January 6, 2005

Tech - I didn't say devil - I said annoy. My wife does things to annoy me sometimes buy I still love her. Same with the new truck.

That said, I bet if GM wanted they could use the over 8000 GVW loophole. Heck, the guys with manual locks don't have to put up with this crap. If had gotten a base truck, I wouldn't have this complaint. I'd be gripping out the sorry seat. Guess I should have gotten the GMC. They have the good seat and manual lock in their LS trucks.

This is just like the auto headlights. It took them several years to realize they could have auto headlights and an override option. Why there wasn't an override to start with is beyond me.

However, since your are a tech, can this thing be reprogrammed. The 05s are not the same as the 04 apparantly because I don't have the yes or no menus spoken of in the above post.

71GMC_3/4T · January 6, 2005

AgTeacher,

Try this, I found it on a canadian forum, but it might work. If it doesn't, at least it was worth a try...

"On GM's it's done by turning on the key and holding the door lock switch in the lock position until the horn beeps."

It might have applied to older GMs, but who knows... My wife had a GrandAm and the door locks were very annoying, and we didn't even have any gates to open except the one at our driveway at home! Still, I'll bet we put at least twice the wear on the door handle. We'd pull the handle, cuss, hit the unlock button, and open the door. If we still had that car, I'd be trying this. Probably wouldn't work though...

Could be worth a call to GM - yeah, like they're gonna care that you have to unlock your doors to open your gate! sigh...

You might want to look around for the power door lock fuse and see what else pulling it would kill... Sucks to have to disable the power door locks to get rid of such a minor annoyance, huh?

Good Luck!

GM-Tech · January 7, 2005

Tech - I didn't say devil - I said annoy. My wife does things to annoy me sometimes buy I still love her. Same with the new truck.

Yeah, I probably got carried away. I just get so tired of hearing all the complaints, calling us "stealerships", etc., etc.

Then again, GM hosts a forum for just dealership techs and managers and we do our fair share of complaining about you guys (customers) there, so I guess it equals out.

As for turning that off by programming. I wish it was that easy. If it was, I'd be disabling it on my '05 Colorado. I'm not crazy about it either.

lrymal · January 7, 2005

On my '03 you can scroll through the DIC and change the Auto-Lock function from Off to Out of Park to Above 8mph. You can also change the Auto-Unlock function from Off to Park to Key Removed. I leave them both off.
Scroll through the menus, it should be in there.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

On my '05, I have the above options and even more. However, I drive a crew cab and an automatic. Seems there are exceptions for the manual transmissions. I can't figure that. Check out pages 3-64 and 3-65 of the manual.

lrymal · January 7, 2005

Yeah, I probably got carried away. I just get so tired of hearing all the complaints, calling us "stealerships", etc., etc.

----------

Gee, imagine that.... I would also feel that way, especially if I had to deal with chronic complaints. You gotta be thick-skinned.

Then again, GM hosts a forum for just dealership techs and managers and we do our fair share of complaining about you guys (customers) there, so I guess it equals out.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

In my case, in over 30 years of driving and about 15 dealerships, I haven't experienced a single dealership that followed GM's, Ford's, Datsun's (yup---long time back), and Chrysler's own guidelines for service.

I would dare say that nearly all of us have experienced the situation in which a driver has a problem with say, the brakes---on a 2003 Z71. They pulse. A tech drives with the driver and sez, "Wow, these are great brakes. I wish mine felt this good." Driver sez, "You don't feel the pulsing?" The tech guy listens, touches the dash as he brakes, pressures the brake pedal and sez he doesn't. I mean, the pulse. It is THERE. Coins in the coin tray rattle. jeeeeze!!!!

Actually, that driver was me. And to the dealer's defense, they gave no opposition to resurfacing, replacing the rotors and pads, over-and-over-and-over, all under warranty. And within a week, as usual, the truck resumed its pulsing brake pedal. Heck, I didn't care about the warranty, I just wanted it fixed, and certainly didn't want to be made the FOOL. Well, I got fed up, bought PowerSlots rotors and Performance Friction pads, and several thousand miles later, the truck happily braked with a great feel, to such an extent that I delayed bleeding the brakes---mushy brakes no longer existed.

Now, I have this wonderful and marvelous 2005 Crew Cab Z71. This thing is a piece of art for me. I just don't know who to take it to for service. I don't want my dealer's techs touching it. I live in a small community where there is no other choice besides this one dealer.

Ok, GM-TECH, you apparently work at a dealership where for the most part, y'alls routines are on the up-and-up and evaluations keep y'all forthright. But, I have an accusation, and it is that very few dealers exist with a service department similar to yours. And it is industry-wide: Ford, GM, Nissan, Toyota. Can't believe I am chasing this rabbit. In the past 30 years with several vehicles that have come and gone, these are a brief listing of what we went through via several dealers located in different towns, as my memory recalls, not in order:

1) Overfilled oil in crankcase

2) No oil in crankcase

3) Loose transmission bolts on bell housing after transmission job.

3) Weld particles sprayed all over side of car and mirror glass.

4) Hood bumpers "removed" by body shop guy. These are the rubber bumpers that go between the hood and the fender. The dust shadow revealed they actually had been there.

5) Loose starter that replaced original starter. Chewed up fly wheel. Starter tightened. Fly wheel's damage was not apparent until later. Dealer and me went round-and-round over this one. Datsun sided with me and had that Galveston dealer replace the starter, flywheel, and other related stuff. Why the heck did I have to go through this? Well, it was a long time ago, but I'll betcha the experience could easily hold true today.

6) On my 2003 Z71, alignment problems. Also, the steering wheel off-center. Dealer sez Dueler Revo tire was pulling against the other tires. Did a warranty realignment anyway. Steering wheel off-centered again. Rear (yes rear) tire began getting chewed up with feathering. Took my 2003 to the local Firestone dealer who realigned my truck. Steering wheel was centered, tires stopped wearing. My truck dealer never would admit to having a weak front-end alignment shop. Why didn't they just contract their alignment jobs out until they could shore up their shop!??

7) Standard oil change---I found afterwards that the exhaust pipe was shoved against body. Took Grand Am back to dealer and complained. They replace that part of the exhaust system. Two days later, I find rocker panel has several dents covered with new paint, on the bottom side. The car had slipped off the lift on one side and nudged up against the lift. I demanded this to be fixed, was told that I did it. I went to the owner-partner of the dealership and he actually investigated. My car was put in the body shop and the rocker panel assembly was replaced.

8) Of course, the disk brakes issue. 'nuff said. Just go with Power Slot and Performance Friction, blood pressure goes down.

I think I had better stop..... Notice the trend? There is NOTHING, other than brakes, that really is General Motors' fault requiring warranty adjustment. It is the local dealer, or dealers. There has GOT to be something causing shops' extreme turn-over rate of techs, poor follow-up on repair or adjustments, and ad nausem.... I wish my dealer had techs like you. I want to be able to CONFIDENTALLY take my new 2005 Crew Cab Z71 and have its oil changed without my having to check the oil level afterwards, worrying that he really did put in Mobil 1 (did he really????). I want to have a pampered assurance that all is well and that I can happily slap the tech guy on the back and congratulate him for his work that is well done.

Ok. that's it.... I quit.

Mighty HD · January 7, 2005

how about the stupid horn? When you have the wheel turned, the horn wont honk.....

GM-Tech · January 7, 2005

But, I have an accusation, and it is that very few dealers exist with a service department similar to yours. And it is industry-wide: Ford, GM, Nissan, Toyota.

You'll be sorry you got me started on this.

I'll agree that it is an industry wide problem. I also have to say that there are a LOT of great service departments out there, and a lot of techs that really know their stuff. And yes, there are a lot of hacks.

There are many, many reasons for the problems you experience. One of the reasons is just the general lack of pride of workmanship in this country. Where else have you gone and gotten rotten service, put on hold for 30 minutes, talked to 5 clueless people before you might get one that promises to help, then forgets all about you the moment the phone is hung up or you walk out the door. Look around. It's everywhere, not just the auto industry.

As for the automotive field... vehicles today are exceedingly complex, but the GOOD techs are leaving the profession by the score. Why? Flat rate for one. For instance, GM says, "We'll pay you 0.2 hrs to replace that o2 sensor." They don't care that it is an intermittent problem that will take several 10 mile road tests, examination of wiring harnesses that are inaccessible at best, schematics that are sometimes wrong, incomplete or inaccurate diagnostic information, lack of adequate hands on training, etc., etc. Lest I forget to mention their generosity... they'll pay 0.0 to 0.3 hrs diagnosis time on top of the repair. 0.0 hrs? And even at the max of 0.3, that's only 18 minutes. At the same time, GM is constantly on the service manager's butt to keep warranty expense down and most service managers are not generous with paying for diagnostic time. It'll only get them in trouble with GM and bring down an audit.

Do you really think a tech is going to spend all that time to get paid 0.2 hrs (12 minutes!) labor to fix this if the problem isn't right in front of him? Of course not. "Unable to duplicate" and move on to the next one. His family has to eat too, ya know. And after he does a half-dozen of these in a day, do you think he might be tempted to overcharge a customer on a repair that is not warranty, or sell some b.s. maintenance service so he might be able to pay his bills after spending several hours on a warranty repair and getting paid $5.00 for it? The temptation is great, I'll tell ya.

The really good techs in a dealership are the ones given all the crap work that no one else can fix. We have a saying, "Working in service is like working in a whore house. The better you are the more you get screwed." So while the hack is over there doing all the gravy work because he can't be trusted with anything else, the guy with the talent is buried in some bizarre electrical or driveability problem and will get paid relatively nothing for his knowledge, effort and time. So it's no wonder the good ones are leaving and the dealerships will hire anyone that has a box and calls themselves a mechanic with no regard to their knowledge or experience.

Is MY dealership perfect? Not by a longshot. I'm not a line tech. My official title is "service manager" but my role is more of a shop foreman but not one that works on the line. I handle everything to do with the shop and get involved with all the problem cars, but I also deal with customers from time to time. I've been chewed out because my own $27 an hour tech couldn't be bothered to lube the grease fittings on a truck suspension with a simple oil change. STUPID stuff like this happens, even here. I can't be everywhere and check everything, so things like you experience happen even here. I don't like to admit it, and it's not my way, but it happens.

So what am I going to do? I can't fire the guy. I couldn't hire a decent tech if I tried. We put ads in the paper offering a $1000 signing bonus and don't even get a single call. If we do get someone to come in, they worked at Firestone once and don't know an oxygen sensor from a radiator cap. But they have one or two tools and think they are technicians!

On the other hand, when a young guy comes to me expressing a desire to get into this line of work, you know what I tell him? "Find something with a future, kid. It ain't the car business. Go to work for the county or the power or phone company." Yeah, that's probably not the way to build the future of this industry, but I can't, in good conscience, lead someone into this mess with promises of wonderful future.

The auto industry is heading for some serious trouble, even though you might think we're already in trouble. Pretty soon, there won't be anyone that will be able to fix these things. Maybe then there will be changes.

Do I sound bitter? You betcha!

lrymal · January 7, 2005

But, I have an accusation, and it is that very few dealers exist with a service department similar to yours. And it is industry-wide: Ford, GM, Nissan, Toyota.

You'll be sorry you got me started on this. ....Do I sound bitter? You betcha!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Excellent letter. Dang, seems I have heard gripes about "book-rate" all my life. A book-rate YES, book-rate NO, debate could easily occur, I'd bet. I have a feeling if we moved away from book rates, the cost of vehicles would explode. Well, hang tough---you are one of the good guys.

Well, this 2005 Z71 Crewcab is the first vehicle I have owned in years that did not require a warranty adjustment in the first two weeks. My '03 had the infamous ''Service 4wd'' message during the third day, a hanging door gasket, and a dead key remote. This new 2005 has been utterly amazing me.

GM-Tech · January 7, 2005

Well, this 2005 Z71 Crewcab is the first vehicle I have owned in years that did not require a warranty adjustment in the first two weeks.

I would have to say in all honesty that GM has VASTLY improved their quality over the last 5 years or so. Sure, we still have problems, as do they all. And when you read these forums, you get a skewed view of things. People don't flock here in droves to say how wonderful their truck is. They come here when they're trying to solve a problem.

Anyway, thanks for the kind comments. I AM hanging in there! It's all I know and it's way to late for me to do something else.

facn8me · January 7, 2005

GM-TECH I feel for you. I discourge the young to become tech's myself. Although I have never worked for a dealership I know how it is. I am so glad I work for a private University. I am fairly sure I would have left the industry. The private repair industry is at a greater disadvantage as far as training and equipment goes. How many owners can afford to send thier techs to GM, Ford, honda etc... schools. week long two week long courses in other cities or states. New scanners, scopes, lap tops, specialty tools for each individual engine and trans mission ever made. All that stuff cost "big" bucks. With the rapid leap in technology every year it's going to get much worse. I do not understand why we have throw away cars with space shuttle technology.

In the grand scheme of thing most tech make a small %'age of the posted labor rate. If he is not gettin paid he ain't lookin. We will look at anything you want if you are willing to pay. If we work for a dealership you have to pay $$$$ for up to date epuip and training If we work for an independent you have to pay $$$$ for diagnostic time usually longer expecially if it take a reflash or another ecm-pcm-bcm related problem requiring up to date software. I too do not know where we are headed just hold on.

I worked for a municipality that sent me to GM and ferd school plus paid for my ASE I am currently ASE Master Auto and Master medium heavy duty. I was lucky...