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Greetings, Civic fans!

I have a 98 Civic Coupe EX. Unlike any other car I've owned, if I'm inside with locked doors pulling on the driver's door latch won't unlock. I have to unlock the door first then I can open the door.

Is this normal for a 6th Gen Civic?
Is there a way to defeat this?

Thank you!

ggsmith48906

 
Rep Power: 125

I wanna say this is normal? I think my ‘97 EL was the same but it’s been years since I’ve had that car.

 
Rep Power: 222

It might be normal, can't remember what happens stock. Mine is programmed to lock when I step on the brake after starting the car and unlock when I shut the car off. (Aftermarket remote start)

 
Rep Power: 366

it is normal

 
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Does anyone know of an aftermarket modification that would change that behavior? Just to clarify, I want it to unlock and open the door when I pull the inside handle.

 
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I also can confirm that my 98 civic lx operates the same way and is normal. What you are wanting cannot be done.

 
Rep Power: 125

Even if it was reversible (which I don't believe it is), I wouldn't bother. It'll end up screwing with the other locking features that I consider to be much more important. For example (and I'm not sure what this feature is called so I'll do my best to loosely explain it), the feature where the door will not lock when open. I had a terrible habit with my '01 civic (which had a faulty lock system) of locking the doors from the inside and then shutting it and walking away. On more than one occasion, I ended up locking my keys in the car. On the 6th gens (and most old cars), if you lock the door while it's open, it'll unlock itself upon closing. If you chose to undo the lock sequence, that would more than likely change as well.

 
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Thank you all for your input. For my part, any other car that I've owned - including 5th Gen and older Hondas, among other brands - unlock the door when you pull the inside handle. And most cars other than Hondas you can step out, hit the power locks, and close the locked door. Before y'all jump on my on how that's a "bad idea" I'm very systematic about confirming my keys are in my hand when I lock and close the door, and I always carry a spare door key with my pocket change.

A future project to be sure, but one day I'll pull off the door panel and observe the mechanism and see if I can't fabricate some kind of a bell crank that will accomplish the feature I want.

BTW, a Honda can be locked without using the key externally. With the driver's door open, pull the inside latch handle, press the power lock, then release the handle. The door is locked when you close it. I've been doing that habitually since my '84 Accord. At least that feature still works on my '98.

Thanks again,

ggsmith48906

 
Rep Power: 222

Yep that's well known. It's easiest to install a remote start/ lock system since you already have power locks. It would just be a couple of wires