Sentry Key Immobilizer System Transponder Programming - Dodge RAM 1500 1998 Owner's Manual

8Q - 4 VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY
VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY (Continued)
SENTRY KEY IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
TRANSPONDER PROGRAMMING
Two programmed Sentry Key transponders are
included with the Sentry Key Immobilizer System
(SKIS) when it is shipped from the factory. The Sen-
try Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) can be pro-
grammed to recognize
transponders, for a total of eight Sentry Keys. The
following "Customer Learn" programming procedure
for the programming of additional transponders
requires access to at least two of the valid Sentry
Keys. If two valid Sentry Keys are not available, Sen-
try Key programming will require the use of a
DRBIII scan tool.
CUSTOMER LEARN PROGRAMMING
(1) Obtain the additional Sentry Key transponder
blank(s) that are to be programmed for the vehicle.
Cut the additional Sentry Key transponder blanks to
match the ignition lock cylinder mechanical key
codes.
(2) Insert one of the two valid Sentry Key tran-
sponders into the ignition switch and turn the igni-
tion switch to the ON position.
(3) After the ignition switch has been in the ON
position for about three seconds, but no more than
fifteen seconds, cycle the ignition switch back to the
OFF position. Replace the first valid Sentry Key in
the ignition lock cylinder with the second valid Sen-
try Key and turn the ignition switch back to the ON
position. Both operations must be performed within
15 seconds.
(4) In approximately ten seconds the VTSS indica-
tor LED will start to flash to indicate that the sys-
tem has entered the "Customer Learn" programming
mode.
(5) Within approximately sixty seconds of entering
the "Customer Learn" programming mode, turn the
ignition switch to the OFF position, replace the valid
Sentry Key with a blank Sentry Key transponder,
and turn the ignition switch back to the ON position.
(6) In approximately ten seconds, the VTSS indica-
tor LED will stop flashing and stay on solid for
approximately three seconds and then turn OFF to
indicate that the blank Sentry Key transponder has
been successfully programmed. The SKIS will imme-
diately return to normal system operation following
exit from the "Customer Learn" programming mode.
(7) Repeat this process for each additional Sentry
Key transponder blank to be programmed.
If any of the above steps is not completed in the
proper sequence, or within the allotted time, the
SKIS will automatically exit the "Customer Learn"
programming mode. The SKIS will also automatically
exit the "Customer Learn" programming mode if it
sees a non-blank Sentry Key transponder when it
up to six additional
should see a blank, if it has already programmed
eight valid Sentry Keys, or if the ignition switch is
turned to the OFF position for more than about fifty
seconds.
NOTE: While in Customer Learn mode (LED flash-
ing), the engine will not START and RUN.
PROGRAMMING BLANK SENTRY KEY
TRANSPONDERS WITH A DRBIII SCAN TOOL
When programming a blank Sentry Key transpon-
der, the key blank must first be cut to match the
ignition lock cylinder. It will also be necessary to
enter the vehicle's four digit PIN code into the
DRBIII scan tool to enter the Sentry Key Immobi-
lizer Module's (SKIM's) secured access mode.
NOTE: Once a Sentry Key is programmed to a par-
ticular vehicle, it cannot be transferred to another
vehicle.
Insert the blank key into the ignition and turn it to
the RUN position. Using the DRBIII
select "Theft Alarm," then "SKIM," then "Miscella-
neous." Select "Program New Key." Enter the four
digit PIN code using the DRBIII . When program-
ming is completed, the SKIM will exit secured access
mode and the DRBIII will display the status of the
key. One of five different status messages may be dis-
played as follows:
• "Programming Successful" is displayed if SKIM
Sentry Key programming succeeds.
• "Learned Key in Ignition" is displayed if the key
in the ignition has already been programmed into
that vehicle's SKIM.
• "8 Keys Already Learned (At The Maximum)
Programming Not Done" is displayed if eight keys
have already been programmed into the SKIM. In
this case, if a new key needs to be added due to a
lost or defective key, the "Erase All Keys" function
(requires entering secured access mode) has to be
performed. Then the customer's seven keys plus the
new key MUST be reprogrammed into the SKIM.
• "Programming Not Attempted" is displayed after
an "Erase All Keys" function is executed.
• "Programming Key Failed" is displayed if fur-
ther diagnosis is required.
• To learn additional keys, turn the ignition OFF,
remove the learned key, and insert the next new
blank key. Turn ignition to the RUN position and re-
enter the secured access mode function and repeat
the "Program New Key" procedure outlined above.
DR
scan tool,