I've searched the forums and found the existing posts, but not found the answer I'm looking for. The dealer has been no help, though they have tried.
Background:
Prior to December 2012, the doors would automatically lock when I put the car in gear and drove it above about 10 mph. The doors would automatically unlock when I stopped and put the vehicle in park.
In December 2012, during a service event, my RAV4 was connected to the Toyota diagnostic tool (OBD connector). Since that time, the automatic door locks no longer function. To lock them, I have to press the lock. They do not unlock until I press the unlock button or operate the door handle (front doors only - I have the child locks set on the rear doors).
The dealer swears that there is nothing in their Techstream software that controls this and that this feature is not available on the 2011 model year. I know better - this automatic lock/unlock feature was the indirect cause of this vehicle having been hijacked...
Vehicle specifics:
2011 RAV4 - 4 cyl base model. Automatic transmission, remote entry (not the smart key version), AM-FM radio/CD (no XM radio).
Other than an add-on pulse generator or other modification, has anyone come up with a hack/crack/fix via software? I have the ebay TIS Techstream and OBD dongle, but I'm not sure how complete the hacked copy is.
I contacted Toyota at the regional level and national level, but they haven't gotten back to me yet. As I have been researching this since early December, I don't have a lot of confidence that I will be successful. So I'm turning to this forum in the hopes someone can help.
I know that this feature existed when we got the vehicle (early 2011). Was/is this an experimental feature for the RAV4? It exists on other Toyota vehicles (2007 Camry for certain).
Bill, the auto door lock/unlock feature was never an option on the 2006-2012 RAV4 UNLESS you got the factory alarm system. I think the auto lock/unlock is a programmable feature of the VIP alarm and many aftermarket alarms.
2012 Sports model only autolocks when I turn on the engine. But this has a dealership installed alarm. It unlocks when I turn it off. Not sure if it is a standard feature though.
I did not have that feature on my 2012 base 4WD. I have the rpm sensing auto lock only because I have an compustar aftermarket remote starter. Rpm goes up the car locks when I turn off the ignition doors unlock.
Not only do they not have automatic door locks when you put the car in gear (all my other modern cars in the past have had this feature), but if you lock the doors from the inside, you can still open them from the inside. Poor thinking by Toyota engineers!
I had a 1994 Chevy that had auto door locks!!! I like the fact that I can open the door with the inside handle when it's locked. I'd also assume this is a safety feature.
I am seeing a common theme here. I have searched many threads on this because this is one of my favorite features of my Passat and my Trailblazer.
It seems there IS an option in Techstream software, but Toyota's stance is they will not set it up. Sometime in 2010 their policy on this changed due to possible safety issues - maybe? Just speculating here.
From what I see on the Techstream software it should be possible. I just purchased a 2010 Base and will have my cable and software here soon.
Not to bump this message, but I just read it for the first time.
I have a base 2010 RAV4, and found no option to program the door locks in Techstream. Versions 7 to 9 are no different. It's a feature I like on my 09 Avalon.
I've read on the Intarwebs that emergency personnel would prefer your door was unlocked. In case of an emergency, they could remove you faster.
I may be reading this wrong but our new 2012 RAV4 Base had auto locks. Put vehicle in motion and the doors would lock. Stop and put in Park doors would unlock. I had the dealer delete this feature. I can still hear a clicking sound though when I put the RAV4 in Drive but the doors do not lock. Dealer had no issue in doing this for me and it was free.
I meant to say when put in Park and the ignition turned off the doors would unlock. As far as alarms go, it has the factory oem system with the flashing red light in the dash when the vehicle is locked. I take it this is not the VIP system?
Stay tuned. I have ordered this module from China. It's supposed to lock the doors when you reach 20 km/h. If you stop and let out a passenger, it re-locks the doors once you reach 20 km/h. And when you turn off the engine, it's supposed to unlock the doors. I ordered it earlier this month and it shipped on the 15th, but the shipping is very slow so I'm still waiting:
OK, here's a quick review of the auto door lock module from China. I ordered it on March 7, they shipped it on March 15, and I just got it today, April 1. Total cost was $15 with free shipping (slow) and now the price has dropped to a little over $13:
Installation is truly plug and play and takes 5 seconds. Simply plug the unit into your OBD port under the dash. When the car reaches about 12 MPH, (20 KPH), the doors lock. If you stop and one of the doors is opened and shut, the doors will re-lock once you reach 12 MPH again. When you open one of the doors, the hazard lights will blink 5 times. When you shift into Park, all the doors unlock, and when you open the door to exit, the hazard lights blink 5 times. There is no programming, and no options to set. I don't care for the hazard lights, but I guess it doesn't hurt anything. All in all, you can't beat it for the price.
1. Do you think this unit would work on the Smart Key keyless system?
2. Since it is "plug and play" does that mean if there is a problem you can just unplug it and everything is back to "normal"? Also, if you need to take the car in for warranty work you could also unplug it.
Thanks, Bob
2. Since it is "plug and play" does that mean if there is a problem you can just unplug it and everything is back to "normal"? Also, if you need to take the car in for warranty work you could also unplug it.
Thanks again James. I ordered the unit today. By the way I was curious at what speed it locks the door (20kms/h) didn't know what that meant, but it equals about 12.4 MPH.
The module I bought does indeed lock the doors when shifting from Park. If you unlock them again, it also locks when you hit 12 MPH. When I stop and shift back into Park, it unlocks all the doors. So it sounds like I got the CFT01-3 variant.
Junebug, do you mind saying how you paid for this item and does this site function like eBay? I'm interested in purchasing but not familiar with this site.
I also notice you state the Model # you received is CFT01-3, but the listing states the M# is CFT01-2. Did you specify which one you wanted or?
I paid $15 with free shipping, last time I checked the price had dropped to $13. Yes, it works pretty much like Ebay, you have to register with your email address, but it's no big deal. When I ordered mine, I wasn't aware that there were 2 models.
Don't know what the "options" are but I have one on order (its been shipped) and it was the CFT01-2 and was $15.00 with free shipping. Didn't see anything on the web site about $13.00. But at either price it is still worth it.
I did send them an email and asked if this unit would work on a RAV4 with the Smart Key System and was told yes.
Bob
Send me $20 to my PayPal account and I will buy it for you. $20 because I'm adding $6.50 for the shipping to your address. Pm me if you want me to do it so I can give you my PayPal email address for payment.