RAM Truck Randomly Unlocking Itself

My truck recently started randomly unlocking itself. This video shows the process I used to find and fix the problem.
The truck: 2017 Ram 3500, Cummins diesel, Tradesman trim level, crew cab, long bed. The rear seat has been replaced with a small tool cabinet and a compartmented deck for trailer and hauling gear. I haul my tools, roadside emergency gear, a reasonable first responder kit, tire chains, etc.

[@chrismcneal570]

Good stuff, thanks for keeping it simple yet also very detailed.

[@user-cm9ek1gs4n]

Thank you so much and now we will have a better idea of what is happening when going to the dealership for the part. Being a woman, I like to be prepared for the conversation with the dealership. Keep doing what you are doing. :)

[@carlgreen6329]

First timer here, thanks for the help. Just what I needed, hope the cataract surgery went smooth.

[@leftturn99]

Certainly worth knowing about, good work.

[@AW-mz1zm]

THANK YOU!!!! Been battling this for months on my 2021 cummins, the dealership said it was a bad fob, which of course that didn’t help. Can’t thank you enough!!

[@OldIronLover]

One good thing about the dealerships, they have very sophisticated diagnostic equipment. Nowadays they can often get right down to the exact problem easily. I didn't want to spend the $$$ for that service if I could avoid it. Hind sight, trying another fob might have spotted it but the dealership is about the only way I know to program a new fob. Glad you're up and running.

[@AW-mz1zm]

@@OldIronLover Yeah I think I had a bad technician, I was planning on bringing it in a 2nd time but they’ve been booked out for weeks. I haven’t been able to lock my door at night, this was a life saver that I found your post. Thanks again!

[@Ryan_Tidwell]

Nice work. You probably saved a lot of money and headache finding it yourself. The dealer in my area has a bunch of mechanics that can probably screw up a tire change. I had to fix my emissions myself after they had my truck for 2 weeks. They gave it back to me and the check engine light came on a few days later. $165 for some plastic and a $5 circuit board is highway robbery. It's insane what the markup on auto parts is these days.

[@thenash4822]

Excellent video. Thank you for this as I have the same issue, along with the power windows opening at the same time, which makes this solution top on my list! Will give this a try! Edit: Tried this and the contacts were clean and I still had the issue. Turned out the unlock contact in my keyfob was loose and activating the switch and the windows. I appreciate this video and it helped me figure out my issue by eliminating one potential issue.

[@andrewcanfield2962]

thank you sir this was a big help! I had the same issue with my 2014 ram 1500. so I took it apart like you showed. I had all the screws out but missed one cause it was under neath a tag. I'm pretty sure I let too much rain get into the switch. I'm usually pretty good about wiping it down but I left my window down. I had the same black marks on the contacts. I used a little bit of crc electronic cleaner and wiped it down with a paper towel and let it dry for about 5 mins. works perfect now!

[@alant5335]

Good information there,thanks.

[@iampapa318]

Good job, I have a 2011 Ram, it's doing the same thing! Thank you!!!

[@73macrino]

Great video sir. First timer here and I believe you save a lot of folks a lot of hair pulling… you did me anyways. Thank you!

[@OldIronLover]

Glad it was useful

[@73macrino]

@@OldIronLover I check it and was fine, but checked my key fob and that was the problem. Easy fix.

[@jimpritz4169]

Very interesting. Mine is a 2014 1500 RAM but it has that same module in it. I've been lucky so far to not have that issue. I know that all the trucks and cars have similar buttons and switches on the door panels but here's why I don't think it's a great idea. Open your doors when it is pouring rain and that door panel gets drenched. Water and electronics don't play well together. Thanks for the video I hope I never have to use it.

[@dwoodog]

Thanks for the video, always best to start with the simple stuff. I have a similar problem on my 09 ram 1500. Except it's the door keeps locking, so I gotta start somewhere, this gives me a good starting point.

[@JaredTissot]

hey i know this comment is a bit old but wondering if you solved your problem? my 2010 ram keeps locking itself and wanting to autostart as well.

[@dwoodog]

@@JaredTissot Yes. I just bought a whole new window/door lock module. Plugged it in, and all seemed to work again. I tried to do some diagnosing, but the wire colors didn't seem to match up, so I gave up, and just bought the switch, luckily it worked. I'm not sure about the starting issue. Also helps if you get even a cheap code reader. Think I spent about $200 maybe less on one. Also so if you can spring a few bucks it's really helps (most of the time) to get a DIY version subscription to all-data, ot mitchel DIY.

[@TWC6724]

I’m going to give this a try. I have a 2018 2500 gas engine and my truck randomly keeps locking itself even with the keys in the ignition while running.

[@sethwhitmire6923]

Thank you sir

[@jameswilson4771]

Thanks I believe that's my problem

[@mnoot7209]

I've got a 2008 Grand Caravan. It keeps randomly unlocking itself. Any ideas? At first i thought i must've been forgetting to lock it. Then i thought maybe key fob buttons were being pushed by mistake in my pocket. So i parked it at a friend's house down the street, out of range of the fob. But it keeps happening anyway! I carry around lotsa tools, too, and am worried about theft.

[@tomhunt8878]

Could that dirty contact be cleaned ?

[@jagboy69]

I had this happen to my old beater nissan. As the years roll by, moisture makes it's way in there and screws it up. The location of window switches doesn't help either.

[@OldIronLover]

My truck is only 4 yr old with 25K miles and corrosion worked it's way in. Parts of the assembly appear to be water resistant but I think the culprit is likely the way the circuit board is sandwiched between the housing halves. If it happens again I'll be tempted to disassemble the replacement and seal it completely before I install it.

[@jagboy69]

@@OldIronLover sounds like a warranty issue to me.

[@dennisallen7877]

thanks for the info..ive got a 15 ram 2500 that keeps locking the doors ..as soon as i unlock it within 10 seconds it locks everything..im going to start at that drivers door

[@OldIronLover]

Yep that sounds familiar. Good luck.

[@kerbywells6369]

I replaced old swatch with a new one & my doors are still unlocking itself on my 17 Ram. Any thoughts?

[@OldIronLover]

Nothing comes to mind. I quit looking for answers when I found the corrosion on the circuit board under the unlock switch. Good luck.

[@dr7627]

Did you then have to re-program your fobs?

[@55tumbler]

no not necessay

[@briantanser2731]

did you try to clean that connection

[@OldIronLover]

No it was not dirty, it was corroded i.e. part of the trace was missing. It doesn't show up real well in the picture.

[@irvscool759]

My 2017 Ram 1500 Tradesmen is starting to lock all my doors all of a sudden. Hopefully this works for me.

[@OldIronLover]

Let me know how it goes.

[@robertgvandagriffsr9869]

2021,4x4 laramie, not even 3000 miles, will be taking to dealer.

[@55tumbler]

Didnt help me had to get a modulator 1300 bucks

[@frankieb2220]

Quick Question Bub.I have a 98' Toyota Rav4.(All Door Locks 🔒)Keep "Locking and Unlocking by themselves (While Driving) and when Vehicle is off.I "Disconnected "Master Door Switch-Driver side..and All Locks keep doing same thing..FUSE?master switch?Please Help on your thoughts.Thanks Bub-FrankieB