1998 grand am...the power door locks randomly lock and unlock even without the ignition on

There are rumors that there are "hidden" features accessible by the dealer. If this is something you dont want, contact your local dealer and ask if that is something they can turn off.

Sounds like a faulty relay , it's central locking has to have a constant power supply so even without the ignition on it'll activate , location I don't know exactly but pulling/ better replacing relay should fix it , relay for central locking is normally near internal dashboard fusebox

1. Start with key out of ignition, drivers door is open all others closed and
drivers door is unlocked.
2. Insert key into the ignition (Do NOT Turn) and Pull key out.
3. Perform these steps within 40 seconds.
A. Using the power lock switch on the drivers door, perform 5 lock/unlock cycles
starting with lock. Use an even pace and try to go about one cycle per second.
(1Cycle = 1 lock and 1 unlock).
B. Close, then open drivers door.
4. Perform these steps within 40 seconds.
A. Using the power lock switch on the drivers door, perform 5 lock/unlock cycles
starting with lock. Use an even pace and try to go about one cycle per second.
(1Cycle = 1 lock and 1 unlock).
B. Insert the key in the ignition cylinder.
C. Turn the ignition to ON (Do NOT Start) then back to OFF.
D. Remove the key from the ignition.
5. Within 3 seconds the power door locks should cycle automatically indicating successful
entry into programming mode. Return to step 1 if the locks do not cycle at this point.
6. Perform these steps within 40 seconds.
A. Press the lock and unlock buttons on the remote simultaneously for 1 second.
B. Immediately after letting go of the lock and unlock buttons, press the lock button by
itself and hold for 2 seconds. Within 3 seconds, the door locks should cycle once
indicating successful programming. If the door locks do not cycle, or cycle twice.
repeat steps A and B in step 6 as your remote has not been accepted.
C. Repeat steps A and B in step 6 for each new remote.
7. Close drivers door.

Instructions

1. Programming the First Transmitter
   • 1

     Unlock all of the Jeep Grand Cherokee's doors and open the driver's side door. Keeping the door open, lock it using the manual lock on the door itself.
     

   • 2

     Put the manual key into the ignition and switch it to the "On" or "Run" position, whichever applicable, without starting the engine.
     

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   • 3

     Point the remote at the receiver (located by the little bulb on the car ceiling) and hold down the "Lock" button for up to 5 seconds.
     

   • 4

     When the driver's side door unlocks, you know the remote has been programmed correctly. If you are only programming one remote, jump to the next step. If not, manually re-lock the driver's side door and repeat steps 5 and 6 using each remote you would like to program and then continue.
     

   • 5

     Turn the key to the "Off" position and turn the ignition on immediately. This must be done within 20 seconds of programming the last remote. You're finished!
     

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Read more: How to Program the Remote on a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee ' eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7433787_program-1996-jeep-grand-cherokee.html#ixzz2KdCc5PQq

Try reporgraming it

1. Start with key out of ignition, drivers door is open all others closed and
drivers door is unlocked.
2. Insert key into the ignition (Do NOT Turn) and Pull key out.
3. Perform these steps within 40 seconds.
A. Using the power lock switch on the drivers door, perform 5 lock/unlock cycles
starting with lock. Use an even pace and try to go about one cycle per second.
(1Cycle = 1 lock and 1 unlock).
B. Close, then open drivers door.
4. Perform these steps within 40 seconds.
A. Using the power lock switch on the drivers door, perform 5 lock/unlock cycles
starting with lock. Use an even pace and try to go about one cycle per second.
(1Cycle = 1 lock and 1 unlock).
B. Insert the key in the ignition cylinder.
C. Turn the ignition to ON (Do NOT Start) then back to OFF.
D. Remove the key from the ignition.
5. Press any button on remote for a minimum of 1 second.
System should now lock and unlock doors once.

6. Close and open drivers door.
7. Press any button on remote for a minimum of 1 second. System should now lock and
unlock doors. Once to confirm programming, twice to indicate programming failed.
8. Repeat steps 5, 6 and 7 for additional remotes.

Well, it is hard to say for sure without some electrical testing. It could be that you need to buy a whole bunch of door lock actuators - especially if you started losing one door lock at a time. If all of the door locks started acting up all at the same time, there is most likely high resistance in one of the door lock main power circuits - like the one that comes from the ignition switch or from the keyless entry module (if equipped).
Then on the other hand, if they LOCK OK, but do not want to UNLOCK (or visa-versa) there could be worn or burned contacts in either the lock relay or the unlock relay (or possibly even BOTH).

Again, some electrical testing should be done to pinpoint the actual cause of the problem before going out and spending a bunch of money on parts.

You can purchase new Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitters from the dealer or you can order them online at the web sites listed below or several others. Your vehicle provides for programming the RKE transmitters without the use of a scan tool. Follow the instructions below.

2000 PONTIAC GRAND AM RKE TRANSMITTER PROGRAMMING

WITHOUT A SCAN TOOL

1. Close all vehicle doors. Remove key from ignition lock cylinder

NOTE: STEPS 2 AND 3 MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN 25 SECONDS OF PRESSING THE DOOR UNLOCK SWITCH
2. Press and hold door UNLOCK switch. While holding UNLOCK switch, insert and remove the key in the ignition lock cylinder twice. Do not rotate the lock cylinder.
3. Insert the key a third time, leaving the key in the lock cylinder. Keep the lock cylinder in the LOCK position for the remainder of the procedure. Release the door UNLOCK switch. The chime will sound 3 times to signal that the programming/diagnostic mode is active.
4. Press and hold LOCK and UNLOCK at the same time on the RKE transmitter for approximately 4 seconds. The chime will sound 2 times signaling that the transmitter has been programmed.
5. Repeat step 4 for each transmitter being programmed. (You can program up to 4 transmitters.)

6. To exit program mode, turn the key to the RUN position then back to the LOCK position and remove the key. Your transmitters should now work to lock and unlock your doors.

2000 Pontiac Grand Am Transponder (direct links)

- autotransponder.com

-keylessremotes.com

-ikeyless.com

1998 and newer Jimmy's and Blazer's

1. Close all vehicle doors.

2. Insert the key into the ignition.
3. Hold down the power UNLOCK button on the driver’s door panel-continue to hold
down until instructed to release in step 9.
4. Perform steps 5 through 8 in fairly rapid succession.
5. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position (as far as you can go without starting the
engine).
6. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
7. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
8. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
9. Release the power unlock button on the door panel. The vehicle will lock and unlock
the doors automatically.
10. Hold down the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons on the transmitter simultaneously until
the door locks and unlocks.
This step may take up to 30 seconds.
11. Repeat step 10 NOW for each additional transmitter (including any existing
transmitters).
12. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position in order to exit the transmitter programming
mode.


Good luck and keep me posted, the 1997 was dome different.

Keyless Entry System Circuit Description
The Power Door Locks/Remote Keyless Entry control system provides several functions. The driver operates the vehicle door locks and rear window release from outside the vehicle using a hand-held radio transmitter. The transmitter sends coded signals to the remote control door lock receiver. The remote control door lock receiver detects and decodes the signal from the transmitter. The remote control door lock receiver issues signals to the body control module (BCM) through a serial data link. The BCM actuates relays to lock and unlock the doors and liftgate. The BCM can also release the liftglass. The power door lock switches provide manual control of the door locks.


Transmitter Programming
Important: Different keyless entry systems are used on General Motors vehicles. The parts are not interchangeable even though the parts may appear to be similar. Observe the back of the transmitter in order to properly identify the system. On 1998 S/T pickups and utilities, use a transmitter identified with GM/UTA preceding the part number.
With the driver door closed, hold down the power unlock button on the door panel.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
Release the power unlock button on the door panel.
The remote control door lock receiver will respond in the following manner in order to indicate that the receiver is in the programming mode:
6.1. Locking the doors
6.2. Unlocking the doors
Important: All extra transmitters must be programmed at this time. When a new transmitter is programmed, it will deactivate the old transmitters.
Hold down the lock and unlock buttons on the transmitter until the remote control door lock receiver will respond in the following manner:
7.1. Locking the doors.
7.2. Unlocking the doors.
Repeat step 7 for each additional transmitter.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON position in order to exit the transmitter programming mode.

I never thought about this before, it may be normal on some vehicles. I have been able to lock/unlock my 2003 without the key in ignition since it was new.