Chrysler Pacifica. Manual — part 542

(8) Verify vehicle and system operation.
(9) Close hood.

TRANSPONDER KEY

DESCRIPTION

The Sentry Key Immobilizer System (SKIS) uses a

transponder chip that is integral to each ignition key
to communicate with the Sentry Key Remote Entry
Module (SKREEM). Ignition keys are supplied with
the vehicle when it is shipped from the factory.

OPERATION

Each Sentry Key has a unique transponder identi-

fication code permanently programmed into it by the
manufacturer. Likewise, the SKREEM has a unique
9Secret Key9 code programmed into it by the manu-
facturer as well. When a Sentry Key is programmed
into the memory of the SKREEM, the SKREEM
stores the transponder identification code from the
Sentry Key, and the Sentry Key learns the

9Secret

Key

9 code from the SKREEM. Once the Sentry Key

Fig. 5 SKREEM/IGNITION CYLINDER MOUNTING

1 - IGNITION SWITCH/LOCK ASSEMBLY MOUNTING NUTS

3 - IGNITION SWITCH/LOCK ASSEMBLY

2 - IGNITION SWITCH/LOCK ASSEMBLY LOWER MOUNTING
SCREW

Fig. 6 SKREEM FROM IGNITION CYLINDER

ASSEMBLY

1 - SKREEM TO IGNITION CYLINDER HOUSING MOUNTING
SCREW

CS

VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY

8Q - 7

SENTRY KEY REMOTE ENTRY MODULE (Continued)

learns the

9Secret Key9 code of the SKREEM, it is

also permanently programmed into the transponder’s
memory. Therefore, blank keys for the SKIS must be
programmed by the SKREEM in addition to being
cut to match the mechanical coding of the ignition
lock cylinder (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/VEHICLE
THEFT SECURITY/TRANSPONDER KEY - STAN-
DARD PROCEDURE).

The Sentry Key’s transponder is within the range

of the SKREEM’s transceiver antenna ring when it is
inserted into the ignition lock cylinder. When the
ignition switch is turned to the ON position, the
SKREEM communicates with the Sentry Key via a
radio frequency (RF) signal. The SKREEM deter-
mines if a valid key is present based on the informa-
tion it receives from the Sentry Key. If a valid key is
detected, that fact is communicated to the PCM via
the PCI bus and the vehicle is allowed to continue
running. If an invalid key is received by the PCM or
no status at all is communicated, the vehicle will
stall after two (2) seconds of running. The indicator
light will be flashing at this point. The Sentry Key’s
transponder can not be repaired. If it is faulty or
damaged, it must be replaced.

Common communication problems:
• Two transponder keys too close together.

• Speed Pass too close to transponder key.
Solid indicator that there is a system failure.
• Loss of PCM communication.

• Failed antenna circuit.

STANDARD PROCEDURE - TRANSPONDER
PROGRAMMING

USING A DRB III

T SCAN TOOL

All Sentry Keys included with the vehicle are pre-

programmed to work with the Sentry Key Immobi-
lizer System (SKIS) when it is shipped from the
factory. The Sentry Key Remote Entry Module
(SKREEM) can be programmed to recognize up to a
total of eight Sentry Keys. When programming a
blank Sentry Key transponder, the key must first be
cut to match the ignition lock cylinder of the vehicle
for which it will be used. The vehicle’s four digit PIN
code will be required to complete this task since you
will need it to enter the Secured Access Mode in the
SKREEM. The following steps must be completed
using a DRB III

t scan tool:

(1) Insert the blank key into the ignition and turn

it to the RUN position.

(2) Using a DRB III

t scan tool, select 9Theft

Alarm,

9 9SKREEM,9 9Miscellaneous,9 and then 9Pro-

gram New Key.

9

(3) Enter the four digit PIN code using the DRB

III

t scan tool. When programming is completed, the

SKREEM will exit Secured Access Mode and the
DRB III

t scan tool will display the results of your

attempt to program the key. One of five distinct
results may be displayed. All five are listed below:

• (Programming Successful( is displayed if the

Sentry Key programming is successful.

• (Learned Key in Ignition( is displayed if the

key in the ignition has already been programmed
into that vehicle’s SKREEM.

• (Eight Keys Already Learned (At The Maxi-

mum) Programming Not Done

( is displayed if

eight keys have already been programmed into the
SKREEM. In this case, if a new key needs to be
added due to a lost or defective key, the

9Erase All

Keys

9 command (which requires entering the Secured

Access Mode) has to be performed. Following the
9Erase All Keys9 command, all keys that will be used
to operate the vehicle MUST be reprogrammed to
the SKREEM.

• (Programming Not Attempted( is displayed

after an

9Erase All Keys9 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, insert the next new blank
key, and repeat the steps from the beginning.

“CUSTOMER LEARN” MODE

This procedure requires access to at least two valid

Sentry Keys. If two valid Sentry Keys are not avail-
able, Sentry Key programming will require the use of
a DRB III

t scan tool.

The steps required to program Sentry Keys with

two valid Sentry Keys follows:

(1) Obtain the blank Sentry Key(s) that need to be

programmed. Cut the keys to match the ignition lock
cylinder mechanical key codes.

(2) Insert one of the two valid Sentry Keys into the

ignition switch and turn the ignition switch to the
ON position.

(3) After the ignition switch has been in the ON

position for longer than 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
Sentry Key and turn the ignition switch back to the
ON position. The second valid Sentry Key must be
inserted within 15 seconds of removing the first valid
Sentry key.

8Q - 8

VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY

CS

TRANSPONDER KEY (Continued)

(4) About ten seconds after the completion of Step

3, the indicator light will start to flash and a single
audible chime tone will sound to indicate that the
system has entered the

9Customer Learn9 program-

ming mode.

(5) Within sixty seconds of entering the

9Customer

Learn

9 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) About ten seconds after the completion of Step

5, a single audible chime tone will sound and the
indicator light will stop flashing and stay on solid for
three seconds and then turn off to indicate that the
blank Sentry Key has been successfully programmed.
The SKIS will immediately exit the

9Customer

Learn

9 programming mode and the vehicle may be

started using the newly programmed Sentry Key.

These steps must be completed in their entirety for

each additional Sentry Key to be programmed. If any
of the above steps are not completed in the given
sequence, or within the allotted time, the SKIS will
exit the

9Customer Learn9 programming mode and

the programming will be unsuccessful. The SKIS will
also automatically exit the

9Customer Learn9 pro-

gramming mode if:

• It sees a non-blank Sentry Key when it should

see a blank.

• If it has already programmed eight (8) valid

Sentry Keys.

• If the ignition switch is turned to the OFF posi-

tion for more than about fifty (50) seconds.

NOTE: If you attempt to start the vehicle while in
“Customer Learn” mode (LED flashing), the vehicle
will behave as though an invalid key is being used
(i.e. the engine will stall after two (2) seconds of
running). No faults will be logged.

NOTE: Once a Sentry Key has been programmed to
a particular vehicle, it cannot be used on any other
vehicle.

VTSS/SKIS INDICATOR LAMP

DESCRIPTION

The Sentry Key Immobilizer System (SKIS) uses

an indicator light to convey information on the status
of the system to the customer. This light is shared
with the Vehicle Theft Security System (VTSS). The
light is located in the instrument panel switch pod,
just to the right of the cluster. The indicator light is
controlled by the Body Control Module (BCM), via
Programmable Communication Interface (PCI) data
bus communication with the cluster, based upon mes-
sages it receives from the Sentry Key Remote Entry
Module (SKREEM) on the PCI data bus, and is hard
wired to the cluster.

OPERATION

The VTSS/SKIS lamp is controlled according to

Sentry Key Remote Entry (SKREEM) messages.
Then, the SKREEM sends messages to the BCM to
operate the light based upon the results of the SKIS
self tests. The light may be actuated in two possible
ways, flashing or on solid. If the light comes on and
stays on solid after a power-up test, this indicates
that the SKREEM has detected a system malfunc-
tion. If the SKREEM detects an invalid key when the
ignition switch is moved to the ON position, it sends
a message on the PCI bus to the BCM, to flash the
light. The SKREEM can also send a message to flash
the light and generate a single audible chime at the
same time. These two events occurring simulta-
neously indicate that the SKIS has been placed into
the

9Customer Learn9 mode (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-

CAL/VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY/TRANSPONDER
KEY - STANDARD PROCEDURE). If the light comes
on and stays on after the power-up test, diagnosis of
the SKIS should be performed using a DRBIII

t scan

tool and the appropriate Body Diagnostic Procedures
manual. The light is not a serviceable component.

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VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY

8Q - 9

TRANSPONDER KEY (Continued)