Chrysler 300/300 Touring/300C, Dodge Magnum. Manual — part 794

4. From underneath the ignition switch/lock assembly,

tighten the lower retaining screw (3).

5. Reach up behind the left side of the center stack

and connect the ignition switch (6) and SKREEM
(5) electrical connectors.

6. Install the cluster bezel (Refer to 23 - BODY/IN-

STRUMENT PANEL/CLUSTER BEZEL - INSTAL-
LATION).

7. Install the steering column opening cover (Refer to

23

-

BODY/INSTRUMENT

PANEL/STEERING

COLUMN OPENING COVER - INSTALLATION).

8. Connect the battery negative cable.

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TRANSPONDER KEY

DESCRIPTION

Each ignition key (2) used in the Sentry Key Remote
Entry System (SKREES), sometimes referred to as
the Sentry Key Immobilizer System (SKIS) has a tran-
sponder chip included on the circuit board (4) beneath
the cover (1) of the integral Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter (3). In addition to having to be cut to
match the mechanical coding of the ignition lock cylin-
der and programmed for operation of the RKE system,
each new Sentry Key has a unique transponder iden-
tification code that is permanently programmed into it
by the manufacturer, and which must be programmed
into the Sentry Key REmote Entry Module (SKREEM),
sometimes referred to as the Wireless Control Module
(WCM), to be recognized by the SKREES/SKIS as a
valid key.

The Sentry Key transponder cannot be adjusted or
repaired. If faulty or damaged, the entire key and RKE
transmitter unit must be replaced.

OPERATION

When the ignition switch is turned to the On position, the Sentry Key REmote Entry Module (SKREEM), sometimes
referred to as the Wireless Control Module (WCM), communicates through its antenna with the Sentry Key tran-
sponder using a Radio Frequency (RF) signal. The SKREEM/WCM then listens for a RF response from the tran-
sponder through the same antenna. The Sentry Key transponder chip is within the range of the SKREEM/WCM
transceiver antenna ring when it is inserted into the ignition lock cylinder. The SKREEM/WCM determines whether
a valid key is present in the ignition lock cylinder based upon the response from the transponder. If a valid key is
detected, that fact is communicated by the SKREEM/WCM to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) over the Con-
troller Area Network (CAN) data bus, and the PCM allows the engine to continue running. If the PCM receives an
invalid key message, or receives no message from the SKREEM/WCM over the CAN data bus, the engine will be
disabled after about two seconds of operation. The ElectroMechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC) will also respond
to the invalid key message on the CAN data bus by flashing the security indicator on and off.

Each Sentry Key has a unique transponder identification code permanently programmed into it by the manufacturer.
Likewise, the SKREEM/WCM has a unique Secret Key code programmed into it by the manufacturer. When a Sen-
try Key is programmed into the memory of the SKREEM/WCM, the SKREEM/WCM stores the transponder identi-
fication code from the Sentry Key, and the Sentry Key learns the Secret Key code from the SKREEM/WCM. Once
the Sentry Key learns the Secret Key code of the SKREEM/WCM, it is permanently stored in the memory of the
transponder. Therefore, once a Sentry Key has been programmed to a particular vehicle, it cannot be used on any
other vehicle (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY/TRANSPONDER KEY - STANDARD PRO-
CEDURE).

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The Sentry Key REmote Entry System (SKREES), sometimes referred to as the Sentry Key Immobilizer System
(SKIS), performs a self-test each time the ignition switch is turned to the On position, and will store key-related fault
information in the form of a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) in SKREEM/WCM memory if a Sentry Key transponder
problem is detected. The Sentry Key transponder chip can be diagnosed, and any stored DTC can be retrieved
using a diagnostic scan tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.

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.

NOTE: After a SKREEM/WCM is replaced, the ignition/transponder keys need to be programmed to the new
SKREEM/WCM. Follow the directions on the diagnostic scan tool. The transponder key for the SKREES/
SKIM and the RKE will both be programmed during this operation. There is no need to program the fob of
the key for RKE functionality once the transponder key is programmed to the new SKREEM/WCM.

NOTE: When a PCM and the SKREEM/WCM are replaced at the same time, perform the following steps in
order:

•

Program the new PCM.

•

Program the new SKREEM/WCM.

•

Program all ignition/transponder keys to the new SKREEM/WCM.

(Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULES - STANDARD PROCEDURE - PCM/SKREEM
PROGRAMMING).

STANDARD PROCEDURE

TRANSPONDER PROGRAMMING

NOTE: After a SKREEM/WCM is replaced, the ignition/transponder keys need to be programmed to the new
SKREEM/WCM. Follow the directions on the diagnostic scan tool. The transponder key for the SKREES/
SKIM and the RKE will both be programmed during this operation. There is no need to program the fob of
the key for RKE functionality once the transponder key is programmed to the new SKREEM/WCM.

NOTE: When a PCM and the SKREEM/WCM are replaced at the same time, perform the following steps in
order:

•

Program the new PCM.

•

Program the new SKREEM/WCM.

•

Program all ignition/transponder keys to the new SKREEM/WCM.

(Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULES - STANDARD PROCEDURE - PCM/SKREEM
PROGRAMMING).

All Sentry Keys included with the vehicle are pre-programmed to work with the Sentry Key Remote Entry System
(SKREES), sometimes referred to as the Sentry Key Immobilizer System (SKIS), when it is shipped from the factory.
The Sentry Key REmote Entry Module (SKREEM), sometimes referred to as the Wireless Control Module (WCM),
can be programmed to recognize up to a total of eight Sentry Keys. When programming a blank Sentry Key tran-
sponder, the key must first be cut to match the ignition switch lock cylinder in the vehicle for which it will be used.
Once the additional or new key has been cut, the SKREEM/WCM must be programmed to recognize it as a valid
key. There are two possible methods to program the SKREEM/WCM to recognize a new or additional valid key, the
Secured Access Method and the Customer Learn Method. Following are the details of these two programming
methods.

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SECURED ACCESS METHOD

The Secured Access method applies to all vehicles. This method requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool. This
method will also require that you have access to the unique four-digit PIN code that was assigned to the original
SKREEM/WCM. The PIN code MUST be used to enter the Secured Access Mode in the SKREEM/WCM. This PIN
number may be obtained from the vehicle owner, from the original vehicle invoice, or from the DaimlerChrysler Cus-
tomer Center. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information for the proper Secured Access method programming
procedures.

NOTE: The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) Transmitter will also be programmed during this procedure.

CUSTOMER LEARN METHOD

The Customer Learn feature is only available on domestic vehicles, or those vehicles which have a U.S. country
code designator. This programming method also requires access to at least two valid Sentry Keys. If two valid Sen-
try Keys are not available, or if the vehicle does not have a U.S. country code designator, the Secured Access
Method MUST be used to program new or additional valid keys to the SKREEM/WCM. The Customer Learn pro-
gramming method procedures are as follows:

1. Obtain the blank Sentry Key(s) that are to be programmed as valid keys for the vehicle. Cut the blank key(s) to

match the ignition switch 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 switch
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 in the lock cylinder within fifteen seconds of removing the first valid key.

4. About ten seconds after the completion of Step 3, the security indicator in the instrument cluster will start to flash

to indicate that the system has entered the Customer Learn programming mode.

5. Within sixty seconds of entering the Customer Learn programming mode, turn the ignition switch to the Off posi-

tion, 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, the security indicator will stop flashing, stay on solid for three

seconds, then turn off to indicate that the blank Sentry Key has been successfully programmed. The SKREES/
SKIS will immediately exit the Customer Learn programming mode. After the ignition is cycled the vehicle may be
started using the newly programmed valid Sentry Key.

NOTE: The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) Transmitter will also be programmed during this procedure.

Each of these steps must be repeated and completed in their entirety for each additional Sentry Key that is to be
programmed. If the above steps are not completed in the given sequence, or within the allotted time, the SKREEM/
WCM will exit the Customer Learn programming mode and the programming will be unsuccessful. The SKREEM/
WCM will also automatically exit the Customer Learn programming mode if it sees a non-blank Sentry Key
transponder when it should see a blank, if it has already programmed eight (8) valid Sentry Keys, or if the ignition
switch is turned to the Off position for more than about fifty seconds.

NOTE: If an attempt is made to start the vehicle while in the Customer Learn mode (security indicator flash-
ing), the SKREES/SKIS will respond as though the vehicle were being started with an invalid key. In other
words, the engine will stall after about two seconds of operation. No faults will be set.

NOTE: Once a Sentry Key has been programmed as a valid key to a vehicle, it cannot be programmed as a
valid key for use on any other vehicle.

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