battery dies, locks sieze?

Seabomber · January 8, 2005

I own a 1997 GMC Suburban. Twice my battery has died from leaving a light on. Both times it happened while parked in the driveway overnight. In the morning when I went to get in I noticed that the keyless entry wasn't working. This clued me in that the battery must be dead. The next thing I did was use my key to open the door manually. This was the first time I used the key to open the door since I bought the Suburban. When I put the key in it would not turn any direction. I tried all the other locks and I had the same problem.

I figured that there must be a problem with the key or lock mechanism or something was changed prior to me buying it since I bought it used. I called the local police and they were able to open my door with a slim jim. They gave me a jump start and I got it running. Once it was running I put my key in the lock and it worked just fine. I tried the other locks and they all worked. They even worked when the Suburban was off.

Does anyone have any idea why the locks would not work when the battery is dead. After calling the police twice to open my door I would like to prevent this from happening again.

GM-Tech · January 8, 2005

I don't have the answer for you but I'm curious... where do you live that the police offer locksmith services?

Seabomber · January 8, 2005

I live in northern Michigan. Most city police departments offer this service. I should just hide a slim jim under my car somewhere and then I would never get locked out.

MSUChevyMan · January 15, 2005

Man...that sounds like a really strange problem. You got me stumped. Let me know what you find out. Goodluck!

Seabomber · January 31, 2005

I thought I would give this question one more try. Any answer would be appreciated.

Ddexter · January 31, 2005

That's wierd ... I also have a 1997 suburban SLT ... in the last month, my battery died 4 times .. completely ... However I was able to open the doors with my keys.

My battery drain was due to the rear blower motor which would always be running!

budhayes3 · January 31, 2005

Man that's a good one....somehow the lock actuators are sticking? At first I would say that the lock cylinders were siezed due to lack of useage, but how do you explain them working after being jump started?

gnutruk · January 31, 2005

Wish I had an answer for ya' but like all the others I'm stumped. I'm going to keep watching this thread in case someone comes up with an explanation.

I was under the impression that the actual key in the lock completely overrode the electrical locking mechanism. As a safety feature. So your experience is wierd.

gnutruk

sxmax · January 31, 2005

Pass Key can act like this. I have seen it on GM cars in the winter when the battery goes dead in extreme cold weather. The BCM loses power and does not recognize the keys or the tranmitter's to open the doors is what I am thinking happens.

99-2door · January 31, 2005

Pass Key can act like this. I have seen it on GM cars in the winter when the battery goes dead in extreme cold weather. The BCM loses power and does not recognize the keys or the tranmitter's to open the doors is what I am thinking happens.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

but these trucks don't have chips in the key and there was no form of PASSLOCK on the trucks until 98. And 97 suburbans don't have BCMs

Sounds like you need to lube the rods and latch mechanisms on the doors.

Do both sides of your key work in the doors. Sometimes one side will work and the other won't while both work in the ignition. ( I know you probably checked but....)