Car thinks key is in ignition and won't stay locked no matter what.

[Doesntmatter]

This just started happening today and it's very frustrating. Basically the car will keep unlocking itself and beeping like the key is in the ignition. I can't lock my car at all. Nothing I've read online has worked, or been specific enough so I'm asking here. Thanks.

It's a 2007 if that matters.

[VibeNation2024]

Interesting and I have a 2007 Vibe and have not encountered this issue. When you start the car and shift out of park to start driving, do the doors lock and the beeping stop or does it continue? Are there any indicator lights on? (Figure you would have mentioned if there were but wanted to ask). Also, have you disconnected the battery for a few minutes to see if that resets it?

[andrewclaus]

Automatic door locks have always bugged me, so I've set my '07 to Mode 2 (see below). If you disconnect the battery, the system will reset to one of the modes, probably 1.

1) Car in park
2) close all doors
3) dome light switch set to "door"
4) key in and turn to ON (do not start) - leave at ON
5) immediately press and hold driver's door lock switch in LOCK for 5-6 seconds.
6) Dome light flashes # times to indicate mode

remove key & repeat 4-6 to change mode.

Mode 1: All doors and liftgate lock when the shift lever
is moved out of PARK (P) with the ignition on and all
doors and liftgate closed. There is no automatic
door unlocking.
Mode 2: No automatic door locking or unlocking.
Mode 3: All doors and liftgate lock when the shift lever
is moved out of PARK (P) with the ignition on and all
doors and liftgate closed. All doors and liftgate
unlock when the shift lever is moved to PARK (P) with
the ignition on.
Mode 4: All doors and liftgate lock when the shift lever
is moved out of PARK (P) with the ignition on and all
doors and liftgate closed. All doors and liftgate
unlock when the ignition switch is turned from ON to
ACC or to LOCK. Mode 4 is the factory setting.

[joatmon]

Welcome to genvibe

Sounds like the car thinks the key is in the ignition. This is from an 03 Matrix manual, but describes what the car does to try to keep folks from locking the keys in the car

4. Ignition Key Reminder Operation
∗ Operating door lock knob (Operation of door lock motors)
With the ignition key in the cylinder (Unlock warning SW on), when the door is opened and locked using door lock knob
(Door lock motor), the door is locked once but each door is unlocked soon by the function of the relay. As a result, the
current flows from TERMINAL 1 of the integration relay to TERMINALS (A) 1 and 3 to the door lock motors to
TERMINAL 2 of the relay to TERMINAL 9 to GROUND and unlocks all the doors.
∗ Operating door lock control SW or door key lock and unlock SW
With the ignition key in the cylinder (Unlock warning SW on), when the door is opened and locked using door lock
control SW or key SW, the door is locked once but each door is unlocked by the function of SW contained in motors,
and the signal is input to TERMINAL (A) 19 of the relay. According to this input signal, the current flows from TERMINAL
1 of the relay to TERMINALS (A) 1 and 3 to the door lock motors to TERMINAL 2 of the relay to TERMINAL 9 to
GROUND and unlocks all the doors.
∗ In case of key less lock
With the ignition the key in the cylinder (Unlock warning SW on), when the unlock function is disturbed for example
pushing the door lock knob etc., the door holds on lock condition. After closing the door, door courtesy SW inputs the
signal into TERMINAL 5 or 6 or (A) 13 of the integration relay. By this input signal, the relay works and current flows from
TERMINAL 1 of the relay to TERMINALS (A) 1 and 3 to the door lock motors to TERMINAL 2 of the relay to TERMINAL
9 to GROUND and unlocks all the doors

if that;s the case, then it could be the key sensing switch in the ignition lock or possibly an issue with the "integration relay", which is a plastic box on the under dash fuse block

[SlammedNiss]

So can I also assume that when you open the door, you get the "key-in-the-ignition" chime? If that's the case, sounds like the sensor in the ignition cylinder is jammed in the "key-in" position. Might try spraying a tiny amount of lube in there, similar to WD-40 in the ignition cylinder then take the key and insert/remove it several times in a row to see if you can get it un-jammed.

[VibeNation2024]

Great info! I didn't even know there were different modes! I just left mine as default and accepted it!

[kaoslife]

We are having The same issues with our 09 Vibe. Have to manually lock and unlock the doors. Still searching for a solution