My 97 Legacy OB wagon has a very annoying feature that I would like to disable if possible... Soon as you start the car, the doors lock and it's driving me nuts! Ive lost track of how many times Ive locked myself out of the car while it's running and I hate it!

The car has an after market "Prime" remote starter (I dont have the manual for it) and it's fob / transmitter also controls the remote door lock and unlock functions. I dont know if it is this device that is controlling this feature or if it's a normal Subaru function.

Can anyone help?

That would be a feature of the remote start/alarm system. You need to find the module (probably jammed up under the dash somewhere) and get the model number off it and find some directions for how to program it.

I'm Not Supposed to lock myself out! I have the same yr and it happened once and i cut another key. i either run the window down or set the door sw to unlock. That's it.

After I bought this car I started it up shut the door and was locked out! I called the po and he reminded me the tailgate didn't latch. I fixed all that stuff and remote start but I keep a separate key to get in.

Hmmm hmmm it seems I saw on cars101.com that the locking feature was something the dealer could set at the time of sale. I don't remember if it was a dip switch on the alarm unit or what it was. If it's an aftermarket alarm that could be doing it too. Because I think on the Subaru option it was when the shifter was moved from park that it would lock at least for the autos iirc. http://www.cars101.com

I had a wonderful electrical drain on my 98 Outback for years and one of the guys who tried to fix it disconnected the power lock switch on the drivers side (don't know if he cut a wire or what, I have not checked) so my door does not lock with out doing it manually. Before he'd done that I had locked my keys in the car more than once though.

I like how mine works. If you don't hold the door handle up while shutting the door it won't lock. It kicks the lock lever back, which then unlocks the rest of the car as well. No way to lock my keys in the car without trying to.

The Tips just keep on coming! I have to check on this last one. MIne with latch up and closed won't really latch. The problem is having it running and just push the door closed and 1 1/2 sec later it would lock right up. My remote is an Avita.

I like how mine works. If you don't hold the door handle up while shutting the door it won't lock. It kicks the lock lever back, which then unlocks the rest of the car as well. No way to lock my keys in the car without trying to.

 

Mine works the same, but once I parked illegally with the lights on and was preoccupied when I got out of my car and went through all the motions except for taking the keys locking myself out. Thankfully I borrowed another Subaru key from someone in the parking lot and got into my car. Anything can happen.

I don't have this problem but I've got key system that might help. I originally did it to prevent the heavy ring of keys from hanging in the ignition but it has worked great for stopping the accidental lock out....also prevents wholes from getting poke in your pants pocket by that big rump roast key. I keep the Alarm Fob in my pocket at all times, leave the ignition key hidden inside the car and keep a hide-a-key stash on the body.