Power Locks: Description and Operation

The power lock system allows all of the doors and the liftgate to be locked or unlocked electrically by operating a switch on either front door trim panel. The power lock system receives non-switched battery current through a fuse in the Fuse Block, so that the power locks remain operational, regardless of the ignition switch position.

This vehicle also offers several customer programmable features, which allows the selection of several optional electronic features to suit individual preferences.

The power lock system for this vehicle can also be operated remotely using the available Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) system Radio Frequency (RF) transmitters, if equipped.

Certain functions and features of the power lock system rely upon resources shared with other electronic modules in the vehicle over the Programmable Communications Interface (PCI) data bus network. For proper diagnosis of these electronic modules or of the PCI data bus network, the use of a DRBIII(R) scan tool and the appropriate diagnostic information are required.

CHILD PROTECTION LOCKS
To provide a safer environment for children riding in the rear seat, the rear doors have the "child protection" door lock system.

The child protection locks are on the rear doors only. The lock, when engaged, will disable the inside door handle from opening the door. The lock is part of the latch/lock assembly.

DOOR LOCK INHIBIT
With the key in the ignition switch and the driver door open, the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) module will ignore the command to lock the power door locks using the interior door lock switches. Once the key is removed, or the drivers door is closed, the RKE module will allow the power locks to lock using the door lock switch.

REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY
The remote keyless entry system allows locking and unlocking of the vehicle door(s) liftgate, panic alarm and arming or disarming of the vehicle theft security system (if equipped), using the hand held (RF) transmitter.

The RKE module is also referred to as the Alarm Remote Keyless Entry Module (ARKEM). It also contains the functionality for the Vehicle Theft Security System (VTSS).

The module may receive signals from up to four transmitters. Each transmitter has its own code, and the code is programmed and stored into the module memory. If a transmitter is replaced or additional transmitters are added, the codes for all units have to be reprogrammed into the RKE module or ARKEM memory. If a module is replaced, the transmitter codes must be stored in the new memory (by performing the steps for programming transmitters). The RKE or ARKEM is capable of retaining all transmitter codes when power is removed from the module.

POWER LOCKS
All doors can be locked or unlocked mechanically and independently with their respective locking knobs. The front doors can also be unlocked by actuation of the inside remote door handle.

CENTRAL LOCKING/UNLOCKING (IF EQUIPPED)
The door locks can be locked or unlocked electrically via the exterior door key cylinders to provide the central locking/unlocking feature. The central locking/unlocking feature incorporates a customer programmable "Double activation unlock" feature which operates in the following manner: When enabled, the first turn of the key cylinder to the UNLOCK position (toward the front of the vehicle) will mechanically unlock the door whose key cylinder is being turned. A second turn of the key cylinder to the UNLOCK position (within five seconds of the first turn) will cause all vehicle doors and liftgate to unlock electrically. When this feature is disabled, all vehicle doors and liftgate will be unlocked electrically upon the first turn of a key cylinder to the UNLOCK position. The vehicle is locked electrically by turning the key cylinder to the LOCK position once, regardless of the state of the double activation unlock feature.

REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY
The transmitter has three buttons for operation: LOCK, UNLOCK and PANIC.
- Pressing the UNLOCK button will unlock the driver's door, flash the park lamps twice and enable illuminated entry. Pressing and releasing the button once will unlock the drivers door. Pressing and releasing the button two tomes within a five second interval will unlock all doors.
- Pressing the LOCK button will cause the horn to sound a short chirp (if enabled) and flash the park lamps to notify that the all door lock signal was received and set. Illuminated entry is cancelled and the interior lamps are faded to off.
- Pressing the PANIC button will cause the panic alarm to sound for three minutes, until the PANIC button is pressed a second time, or the vehicle reaches a speed of 25.7 Km/h (15 mph). The receiver is capable of retaining a Vehicle Access Code (VAC) even when power is removed. Each Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) module must have at least one and no more than four transmitter.

ROLLING DOOR LOCKS
When the rolling door lock system is enabled, the RKE module will automatically lock all the vehicle doors and liftgate when all of the following conditions are met:
- All doors are closed
- The vehicle speed exceeds 25.7 Km/h (15 ± 1 mph).
- The throttle position sensor tip-in is greater than 10 ± 2 degrees.

The RKE module will automatically re-lock all doors if the above conditions are met and if any of the doors become ajar and then closed again.

The enabling/disabling of the rolling door lock feature is customer programmable, as well as programmable with the DRBIII(R) scan tool.

The power lock motors are also equipped with a thermal protection system which prevents the motors from burning out. The motors may chatter if they are continuously activated.