l just had the instrument cluster replaced on dakota.In the process it appears that the auto lock feature has been disabled.I've tried the steps in the manual (off to on 4x in 10 seconds then hit the lock button on the driver is door within 30sec), but it does not work.Is there a trick to this?

try resetting the procedure between trying by starting the truck then turning off and then retrying.but the dealer should take care of this for you try calling and explaining the situation especially if they replaced it. explain to the service writer that the owners manual states that the dealer can set certain functions for you in just a few minutes.

usually th reset feature will work on those if it does not you usually wind up a dealer getting them to reprogram it,it only takes few minuts to do though ,id do like two said to do re-try doing this a few times sometimes it doesnt take right the first few try,s l usualy have good luck on the third or fourth time getting them to reset,if not your dealer bound,good luck.