Dodge Vehicle Theft Security Service Manual

DR VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY 8Q - 1

VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY

DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION ........................1

SENTRY KEY IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM (SKIS) . 1

DESCRIPTION ........................1

OPERATION

OPERATION ..........................2

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY SYSTEM ......3

VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY

DESCRIPTION

The Vehicle Theft/Security System (VTSS) is designed to protect against whole vehicle theft. The system monitors the vehicle doors and ignition for unauthorized operation.

The VTSS activates:

• Sounding of the horn

• Flashing of the park lamps

• Flashing of the head lamps

The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) has 1 mode of operation, CUSTOMER USAGE mode. The customer usage mode provides full functionality of the module and is the mode in which the RKE module should be operating when used by the customer.

SENTRY KEY IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM (SKIS)

The Sentry Key Immobilizer System (SKIS) is designed to provide passive protection against unauthorized vehicle use by preventing the engine from operating while the system is armed. The primary components of this system are the Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM), the Sentry Key transponder, the Vehicle Theft/Security System (VTSS) indicator LED, and the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).

The SKIM is installed on the steering column near the ignition lock cylinder. The transponder is located under the molded rubber cap on the head of the igni-

STANDARD PROCEDURE

CONFIGURING A NEW MODULE / SWITCH

OPERATING MODES....................3

SENTRY KEY IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM

INITIALIZATION ........................3

SENTRY KEY IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM

TRANSPONDER PROGRAMMING ..........4

SENTRY KEY IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM

INDICATOR LAMP

DESCRIPTION ..........................5

OPERATION ............................5

tion key. The VTSS indicator LED is located in the instrument cluster.

The SKIS includes two valid Sentry Key transponders from the factory. This is so the customer can self program new keys if one is lost. If the customer wishes, additional non-coded blank Sentry Keys are available. These blank keys can be cut to match a valid ignition key, but the engine will not start unless the key transponder is also programmed to the vehicle. The SKIS will recognize no more than eight valid Sentry Key transponders at any one time.

The SKIS performs a self-test each time the ignition switch is turned to the ON position, and will store Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC’s) if a system malfunction is detected. The SKIS can be diagnosed, and any stored DTC can be retrieved using a DRBIIIt scan tool as described in the proper Body Diagnostic Procedures Manual.

DESCRIPTION

The Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) contains a Radio Frequency (RF) transceiver and a central processing unit, which includes the Sentry Key Immobilizer System (SKIS) program logic. The SKIS programming enables the SKIM to program and retain in memory the codes of at least two, but no more than eight electronically coded Sentry Key transponders. The SKIS programming also enables the SKIM to communicate over the Programmable Communication Interface (PCI) bus network with the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), and/or the DRBIIIt scan tool.

8Q - 2 VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY DR

VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY (Continued)

OPERATION

When in the Customer Usage mode of operation, the system is armed when the vehicle is locked using the:

• Power Door Lock Switches

• Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) Transmitter

• Key Cylinder Switches

After the vehicle is locked and the last door is closed, the VTSS indicator in the instrument cluster will flash quickly for 16 seconds, indicating that the arming is in process. After 16 seconds, the LED will continue to flash at a slower rate indicating that the system is armed.

VTSS disarming occurs upon normal vehicle entry by unlocking either door via the key cylinder or RKE transmitter, or by starting the vehicle with a valid Sentry Key. This disarming will also halt the alarm once it has been activated.

A tamper alert exists to notify the driver that the system has been activated. This alert consists of 3 horn pulses and the security telltail flashing for 30 seconds when the vehicle is disarmed. The tamper alert will not occur if disarmed while alarming.

The VTSS will not arm by mechanically locking the vehicle doors. This will manually override the system.

OPERATION

The SKIS includes two valid Sentry Key transponders from the factory. These two Sentry Keys can be used to program additional non-coded blank Sentry Keys. These blank keys can be cut to match a valid ignition key, but the engine will not start unless the key transponder is also programmed to the vehicle. The SKIS will recognize no more than eight valid Sentry Key transponders at any one time.

OPERATION

The SKIM transmits and receives RF signals through a tuned antenna enclosed within a molded plastic ring formation that is integral to the SKIM housing. When the SKIM is properly installed on the steering column, the antenna ring is oriented around the circumference of the ignition lock cylinder housing. This antenna ring must be located within eight millimeters (0.31 inches) of the Sentry Key in order

to ensure proper RF communication between the SKIM and the Sentry Key transponder.

For added system security, each SKIM is programmed with a unique “Secret Key” code and a security code. The SKIM keeps the “Secret Key” code in memory. The SKIM also sends the “Secret Key” code to each of the programmed Sentry Key transponders. The security code is used by the assembly plant to access the SKIS for initialization, or by the dealer technician to access the system for service. The SKIM also stores in its memory the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which it learns through a PCI bus message from the PCM during initialization.

The SKIM and the PCM both use software that includes a rolling code algorithm strategy, which helps to reduce the possibility of unauthorized SKIS disarming. The rolling code algorithm ensures security by preventing an override of the SKIS through the unauthorized substitution of the SKIM or the PCM. However, the use of this strategy also means that replacement of either the SKIM or the PCM units will require a system initialization procedure to restore system operation.

When the ignition switch is turned to the ON or START positions, the SKIM transmits an RF signal to excite the Sentry Key transponder. The SKIM then listens for a return RF signal from the transponder of the Sentry Key that is inserted in the ignition lock cylinder. If the SKIM receives an RF signal with valid “Secret Key” and transponder identification codes, the SKIM sends a “valid key” message to the PCM over the PCI bus. If the SKIM receives an invalid RF signal or no response, it sends “invalid key” messages to the PCM. The PCM will enable or disable engine operation based upon the status of the SKIM messages.

The SKIM also sends messages to the Instrument Cluster which controls the VTSS indicator. The SKIM sends messages to the Instrument Cluster to turn the indicator on for about three seconds when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position as a “bulb” test. After completion of the “bulb” test, the SKIM sends bus messages to keep the indicator off for a duration of about one second. Then the SKIM sends messages to turn the indicator on or off based upon the results of the SKIS self-tests. If the VTSS indicator comes on and stays on after the “bulb test”, it indicates that the SKIM has detected a system malfunction and/or that the SKIS has become inoperative.

If the SKIM detects an invalid key when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position, it sends messages to flash the VTSS indicator. The SKIM can also send messages to flash the indicator to serve as an indication to the customer that the SKIS has been

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