[Iamscoobydoo]

I will have had this car for 5 years (117,000 miles) this February. I was going out for new years eve and wanted to preheat the car. The car was plugged in to a L2 charger in my garage. I started the car still plugged in, set the climate and left the key in the center console. I was planning on preheating for 10 minutes but it ended up around 15 minutes. When I went to leave the car was locked. I tried to use the spare key to unlock the car with no luck. I then used the on-star app on my phone and that worked. I have preheated the car like this many times (100 plus) with no problem. This was probably one of the longest preheat times. After I unlocked with the app I though it was probably easier and faster if I just used the manual key. I would have had a problem if my wife was out with the other key and I put my iphone in the car as well. I have done that exact scenario but never had the car lock.

 

[Upper5Percent]

I will have had this car for 5 years (117,000 miles) this February. I was going out for new years eve and wanted to preheat the car. The car was plugged in to a L2 charger in my garage. I started the car still plugged in, set the climate and left the key in the center console. I was planning on preheating for 10 minutes but it ended up around 15 minutes. When I went to leave the car was locked. I tried to use the spare key to unlock the car with no luck. I then used the on-star app on my phone and that worked. I have preheated the car like this many times (100 plus) with no problem. This was probably one of the longest preheat times. After I unlocked with the app I though it was probably easier and faster if I just used the manual key. I would have had a problem if my wife was out with the other key and I put my iphone in the car as well. I have done that exact scenario but never had the car lock.

How old is the fob battery?

 

[Iamscoobydoo]

Both batteries are good, about 1 year old. We use both keys .

 

[DMC5180]

Did you try pushing the chrome button on the handle with the other fob near you?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Barry]

It can be hard to tell exactly how all of the features work and interact, because the manual doesn't always describe it in detail, but I think you may have had "delayed door lock" enabled. Possibly combined with a weak fob battery.

 

[canehdian]

I replaced my fob battery a year ago as well - already getting weak sometimes.
Doesn't hurt to replace it more often if you're experiencing strange problems.
Compared to the 12V battery (where I'm less in the automatic preemptive replacement camp), CR2032s are 3 for $1.25 at the dollar store here.
Even if they don't last as long as the brand name, I can replace them every year for basically nothing, and ensure a good signal.
The partially discharged batteries then go into my LED keychain to be used to completion - no waste

 

[JoeReal]

I had my automatic door lock enabled, and it always lock the car even if the key is inside. My dealer knows the drill. Every time I have my car serviced, they leave the driver window open and the fobkey in the dash.

 

[Iamscoobydoo]

I have never had the auto lock enabled. I have done this same thing over 100 times. Even if the car stopped recognizing the key that was inside, why would it then lock the car.

 

[llninja]

I used to have a Toyota Supra that had a slight short on the driver door wiring harness. Between hot, cold, shade, and sunlight, it would sometimes lock or unlock itself. After two incidents calling locksmiths to save me, I now never leave the car with the keys inside without opening the windows 5 inches or so, enough to reach in and unlock the car.

 

[Upper5Percent]

I will have had this car for 5 years (117,000 miles) this February. I was going out for new years eve and wanted to preheat the car. The car was plugged in to a L2 charger in my garage. I started the car still plugged in, set the climate and left the key in the center console. I was planning on preheating for 10 minutes but it ended up around 15 minutes. When I went to leave the car was locked. I tried to use the spare key to unlock the car with no luck. I then used the on-star app on my phone and that worked. I have preheated the car like this many times (100 plus) with no problem. This was probably one of the longest preheat times. After I unlocked with the app I though it was probably easier and faster if I just used the manual key. I would have had a problem if my wife was out with the other key and I put my iphone in the car as well. I have done that exact scenario but never had the car lock.

No...In that case you call onstar from any phone and give them the vin number and THEY will unlock your car

 

[Iamscoobydoo]

Yes It would have been a problem. I have no land line and my nearest neighbor is a mile away if they were home. It has been single digits here this pst week and next.

 

[canehdian]

I have never had the auto lock enabled. I have done this same thing over 100 times. Even if the car stopped recognizing the key that was inside, why would it then lock the car.

If your auto lock is not enabled there are 3 options
One llninja said - wire short
Two - fob pressed accidentally/shorted/button suck
Three - dash lock button stuck (I had this happen - go over a bump and it would unlock as the button was stuck in the whole time, slightest movement triggered it)

 

[hellsop]

I feel like I'm the only person in this conversation that keeps his keys in a pocket. A pocket where they won't get sat on, if other threads about mysterious unlockings are to be credited. Lanyard works too, if you're free of pockets. I'm more likely to leave my *wallet* behind in the house or car than keys/phone.

 

[TSquare]

I feel like I'm the only person in this conversation that keeps his keys in a pocket. A pocket where they won't get sat on, if other threads about mysterious unlockings are to be credited. Lanyard works too, if you're free of pockets. I'm more likely to leave my *wallet* behind in the house or car than keys/phone.

Me too! I figured out long ago, the best way to carry the Volt fob is to put it in a front pants pocket, by itself, with the buttons facing my leg. Never had an issue with doors mysteriously locking/unlocking, horn honking, or windows opening.

 

[Sly Bob]

I CR2032s are 3 for $1.25 at the dollar store here.
Even if they don't last as long as the brand name, I can replace them every year for basically nothing, and ensure a good signal.
The partially discharged batteries then go into my LED keychain to be used to completion - no waste

I have bought dollar store or cheap batteries off the internet but no more. Last time I did they lasted a week, thought there was an issue so changed it again only for it to last only one more week before the darn thing wouldn't work again.
Went to a major retailer, bought a fresh battery and had no more issues.
No more dollar store batteries for me...

 

[llninja]

I feel like I'm the only person in this conversation that keeps his keys in a pocket. A pocket where they won't get sat on, if other threads about mysterious unlockings are to be credited. Lanyard works too, if you're free of pockets. I'm more likely to leave my *wallet* behind in the house or car than keys/phone.

We're getting close to being able to do everything a digital wallet with on phone. I wish I could start my car and drive away with just the phone (I can precondition it, but not really start it). Wouldn't it be nice to walk up to your front door of your house and have it automatically open like in Star Trek?

 

[Barry]

I have never had the auto lock enabled. I have done this same thing over 100 times. Even if the car stopped recognizing the key that was inside, why would it then lock the car.

Be aware that automatic door locks (page 2-12 in the manual) are not the only feature that will lock your doors. You need to also be aware of "delayed door lock" (page 5-58 in the manual). That is the one that could have caused your trouble.

 

[MikeyCVolt]

I have bought dollar store or cheap batteries off the internet but no more. Last time I did they lasted a week, thought there was an issue so changed it again only for it to last only one more week before the darn thing wouldn't work again.
Went to a major retailer, bought a fresh battery and had no more issues.
No more dollar store batteries for me...

You're lucky! I bought a 9 pack of "Max Force" CR2032 batteries. Don't remember where I got them but it was a dollar-store-like place. A few months later when it came time to use one, not a single one in the pack would even power my remote! They were showing just over 3v but they were such garbage quality that they couldn't power the remote. Got an Energizer: no problem.

Mike

 

[JRRF]

You're lucky! I bought a 9 pack of "Max Force" CR2032 batteries. Don't remember where I got them but it was a dollar-store-like place. A few months later when it came time to use one, not a single one in the pack would even power my remote! They were showing just over 3v but they were such garbage quality that they couldn't power the remote. Got an Energizer: no problem.

Mike

Just bought some over the weekend, and the brand name was 5 bucks a pop in a pack of 3.

 

[JRRF]

The whole thing about auto-locking is perplexing. I thought it's supposed to lock the car when you get a certain distance away. What it really acts like is that after a certain amount of time, even if you are standing next to the car, it will lock.

But in the OP case, just like the car can't be started unless the key is inside the car, it shouldn't lock unless the key is outside the car. Why is that so hard? That said, with keyless entry, there is never any need for a key to come out of my pocket (or out of a purse).