2003 T&C passenger side exterior door lock missing?

Hey, I just bought a 2003 T&C LX a couple weeks ago, and I've become
painfully aware that at least on my van, there is no exterior key
unlocks on the passenger side of the vehicle. I really don't want to
carry the fob around all the time, as it is rather large and
cumbersome. Is this a standard un-feature of the 2003 models, or was
there some option I didn't see when picking out the van? Is this
something that can be added by the dealer, or am I out of luck in
getting a key unlock on the passenger side?

Also, this van has the power lift gate, and unfortunately it opens
higher than the Windstar that got replaced, and whenever the lift gate
opens up all the way while the vehicle is in the garage, it hits my
opened garage door. Is there an adjustment that can be made to limit
the vertical height of the lift gate, or should I just refrain from
opening the gate while in the garage to keep things from hitting?

Thanks!
Allen

 

it's called being cheap and deleting the key cylinders if you look you
will notice they have been dropped on alot of d.c models! isn't german
engineering wonderful????

 

Yeah - I've even noticed it on BMW's. Personally I prefer the lock cylinder
only on the drivers door. It never has been needed on the others since auto
door lock/unlock has become so popular.

 

(RPhillips47) wrote in message

Except for those of us who carry car keys in our pockets, and don't
like to have a bunch of keyless remotes filling up and burdening down
the key chain. I have a keyless remote for the van, one for my car,
and if I so chose, I could even be carrying one for my garage door
opener. If I choose to carry a bunch of remotes on my key chain
that's my choice, but I don't want to be forced to carry one just to
unlock the passenger side of the vehicle from the outside.

Since the keyless remotes have been so popular, they've even gone away
from the extenal keypad unlocks that were popular in the early 90's.
Now, I'm forced to carry keys with me, rather than being able to lock
them in the vehicle (hidden, of course) when I take my kids to the
pool, or going hiking, or other activity where it's a bother to carry
keys with me.

Allen

 

(RPhillips47) wrote in message

But my original question remains; is it possible to have the dealer
install a lock on the passenger door for a reasonable cost, or am I
SOL? I'd think that since many 2003 T&C's do have this lock, all the
internal guts would be in there already; it'd just be a matter of
getting a lock and new lock facia plate installed. Is it harder than
this?

Allen

 

Yeah, I used to be just as anal in my thinking. But then I thought about it and
decided I really only needed the remote for the vehicle I primarily drove. The
remote for the Jeep went on my keychain and only the key for the T&C (as, when
the T&C is locked I can unlock all doors with the key in the drivers door
without the remote). As the driver of the vehicle I have never been bothered by
having to use the drivers door to unlock the vehicle. Now that I drive the T&C,
that remote is on my keychain, the remote for the Jeep stays in the cupboard,
along with the remote to the Pacifica (which is also the key). When I drive the
Pacifica I carry the remote/key in my other pocket as i do have two of them.

and continued:

I seem to recall this only being popular on Ford products (on which they are
still available). I don't recall Chrysler or GM using this method.

 

My guess is you could do it yourself and save a large amount of money if you
are up to it. A Haynes Repair Manual (and I am sure others) will detail how to
remove the door panel and outside handle assembly. From your dealer parts
department you have purchased anothe drivers door outside handle assembly
complete and lock cylinder, which you have had set for your key. You follow the
instructions in the Haynes (or other) manual for removal and replacement, but
you will most likely have to remeove and rotate the lock cylinder so it lines
up properly with the passenger side hardware. Of course, as the T&C was not
built with the key lock cylinder you will have to do a little more
investigating with your parts person to obtain the parts necessary to link the
cylinder with the lock mechanism.

I should also say this is all supposition on my part based on logical thinking.
As we all know, many times logic is not used in the design process of motor
vehicles in whicn case you will have to talk with a body repair shop to see if
this is possible.Good luck - and let us know what happens.

 

you are right INTILL THE BATTERIES FAIL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

it will also require a new latch to boot

 

in which case YOU USE THE KEY UNTIL YOU REPLACE THE BATTERY!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

well lets really think about that
you have a key fob and the battery has lasted 2.5 years then dies, now lets
say in that 2.5 years you used your key twice to unlock the door and that
was 2 years ago
so you stick your key in the lock cylinder and the key will not turn
it,it's siezed and you are stuck in the pouring rain not able to enter
your$ 30.000.00 vehicle! now do you get pissed off at those cheap bastards
germans because they wanted to save 20 bucs building the vehicle and DID
NOT PASS THE SAVINGS TO YOU

 

My neighbor's 2003 Buick LeSabre is missing the passenger door lock cylinder
also, so GM is doing it too...not just D.C.

| it's called being cheap and deleting the key cylinders if you look you
| will notice they have been dropped on alot of d.c models! isn't german
| engineering wonderful????
|
| Allen Evans wrote:
|
| > Hey, I just bought a 2003 T&C LX a couple weeks ago, and I've become
| > painfully aware that at least on my van, there is no exterior key
| > unlocks on the passenger side of the vehicle. I really don't want to
| > carry the fob around all the time, as it is rather large and
| > cumbersome. Is this a standard un-feature of the 2003 models, or was
| > there some option I didn't see when picking out the van? Is this
| > something that can be added by the dealer, or am I out of luck in
| > getting a key unlock on the passenger side?
| >
| > Also, this van has the power lift gate, and unfortunately it opens
| > higher than the Windstar that got replaced, and whenever the lift gate
| > opens up all the way while the vehicle is in the garage, it hits my
| > opened garage door. Is there an adjustment that can be made to limit
| > the vertical height of the lift gate, or should I just refrain from
| > opening the gate while in the garage to keep things from hitting?
| >
| > Thanks!
| > Allen
|

 

My neighbors Buick LeSabre is missing the passenger door lock cylinder too, so the good 'ole GM USA folks are apparently cheap too.

To be honest, I can't remember when I've ever used the key in the passenger lock on any of my cars...I usually unlock the driver door and use the power locks to unlock the other doors when ever that is required to let in a passenger.
well lets really think about that
you have a key fob and the battery has lasted 2.5 years then dies, now lets say in that 2.5 years you used your key twice to unlock the door and that was 2 years ago
so you stick your key in the lock cylinder and the key will not turn it,it's siezed and you are stuck in the pouring rain not able to enter your$ 30.000.00 vehicle! now do you get pissed off at those cheap bastards germans because they wanted to save 20 bucs building the vehicle and DID NOT PASS THE SAVINGS TO YOU
RPhillips47 wrote:

in which case YOU USE THE KEY UNTIL YOU REPLACE THE BATTERY!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

my merc. grand marq. has them and a touch pad to boot

 

Yeah - like that would really happen???!!! BTW - we took deleivery of our '96
T&C LXi in April of '96. Have never replaced the batteries in either fob (and
they still work perfectly, as has the key when i have used it. Why don't you
try posting something of importance instead of being a foolish dolt all of the
time?

 

it has happened and i have repaired a few for this issue
and i bet you will still buy levis jeans

 

Yeah - one of those complaints that has happened to so many people so it has
been posted here so many times over the last few years

and continued:

Ummmm - on the evening of August 29 my wife and I paid cash-out-the-door (by
way of personal check) for our new Pacifica AWD. I cannot remember the last
time I bought a pair of "jeans", let alone Levis. Can you even afford Levis?

 

did you refinance your house to do so??????like i see some many do who come to
the dealer to buy cars in cash! each time i get that urge i buy real estate
it's much better than 401 k and doesn't lose 3 grand in value driving off the
dealer lot . the pacifica is made out of the states meaning more Americans are
losing jobs! while companys like Levi's move out of the country
make more profits and avoid paying corporate taxes in this country and you and i
have to anti up more taxes
if it wasn't for low interest rates this country would be in a depression worse
than the early 80's but you knew that since i suspect you are a enron type

 

"mic canic" blathered:

you knew that since i suspect you are a enron type

You are wrong on both counts - didn't refinance the house and I am NOT an
Enron-type executive. I don't even know why I bother posting responses to a
buffoon such as you.

BTW, one only loses 3 grand on a new vehicle if said vehicle is kept for a
short period of time. As I keep cars for at least seven years ('96 T&C LXI, '93
GC Laredo), that intitial loss in depreciation never hurts me - and if a
vehicle has to be replaced it will be donated to charity.

 

Instead of having so many different remotes have your dealer program
the vehicles to accept the same remote for all your Chryler toys.