Remore not unlocking all doors on first press. Have to press unlock button twice.

2004 DODGE CARAVAN
133,300 MILES • 6 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
QUORTHON
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
Hi,

I have 2004 Dodge Caravan. Two days ago, I've noticed passenger side doors and rear door won't unlock when I press the unlock button on my remote for the first time. When I press it once, it just unlocks driver's side doors, and I have to press the button on my remote for the second time to unlock the rest of the doors including the back door.

I've changed my remote battery, nothing changed. I pulled out IOD fuse, waited 5 seconds, installed it again... still same problem.

Can anyone help me narrow this problem down? I'd appreciate it a lot.

Thanks in advance and have a wonderful day everyone!
Mar 16, 2011 at 2:34 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
NICKB275
  • MEMBER
  • 24 POSTS
From my experience at dodge dealership, this is normal operation for this vehicle, and many others, one press = driver door, two presses = all doors.
Mar 16, 2011 at 3:07 PM
Avatar
QUORTHON
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
Hmm... that's really weird. So, does that mean my van wasn't operating properly before and all of a sudden started acting "normal"? Since I bought it, I remember one press used to open all doors right away.
Mar 16, 2011 at 3:20 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
NICKB275
  • MEMBER
  • 24 POSTS
There is an option that the dealer can activate with a DRBIII scanner, to disable or enable certain features such a locking doors when rolling, put in drive, or disabling lock feature all together when put in drive. The scanner call also set this feature you have. Sometimes, if at some point lets say a battery went dead, the BCM, may reset itself to factory settings. BCM means body control module. To reprogram this you need dealer only scanner which is named DRBIII scanner. It may need a reflash, there are some TSB's concerning this issue.
Mar 16, 2011 at 3:48 PM
Avatar
QUORTHON
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
Ok thank you for your time, I appreciate it. If I leave leave it like it is right now, is that going to cause any trouble? It's just weird that it happened all of a sudden. I've changed battery some 2,5 months ago, so battery is fine I am pretty sure. Other than that, can't remember anything else. I haven't visited my car mechanic in months if not years now (really have no trouble with this baby), and other than changing oil every time it's time to do it, no one touched my van... so not sure what could have caused this remote-unlock-behaviour.
Mar 16, 2011 at 6:26 PM
Avatar
NICKB275
  • MEMBER
  • 24 POSTS
I see absolutely so future problems related to this issue other than maybe a BCM which is staring to act up. I highly doubt this will in any way make you end up by the curbside. If you notice any thing else with the interior electrical which seems out of order, such as windows not working, and a sliding door not opening or a anti theft issue, these may be signs a BCM replacement is upon you. Not uncommon in these rides.
Mar 16, 2011 at 8:21 PM
Avatar
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 110,175 POSTS
Nickb275 is correct. The fob is designed to open only the driver's side with one press of the button and the others if you press it 2 times.
Jun 16, 2011 at 3:05 AM
Avatar
QUORTHON
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
OK, thank you. The only question that remains is... why this wasn't the case since the day one I purchased this van? One press of the unlock button on my remote used to open all 5 doors. Not sure what happened, and one day it just started behaving this way. If fob was designed to open only driver's side door on first press, and then all other doors on second one, why wasn't working that way? Anyway, I've learned to live with this, so it's not such a big deal... it's just puzzling what happened to invoke such a change all of a sudden. Thanks for all your answers.
Jun 16, 2011 at 3:27 AM
Avatar
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 110,175 POSTS
That is a good question. However, a BCM going crazy could cause it.
Jun 18, 2011 at 4:23 AM