Dodge Nitro. Manual — part 874

2007 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT

Power Locks - Service Information - Nitro

POWER LOCKS - SERVICE INFORMATION

DESCRIPTION

POWER LOCKS

POWER LOCKS

The power lock system allows all of the doors and the tailgate to be locked or unlocked electrically by operating
a switch on either front door trim panel. The power lock system receives non-switched battery current through a
fuse in the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM), so that the power locks remain operational, regardless of
the ignition switch position.

The TIPM locks the doors and tailgate automatically when the vehicle is driven beyond the speed of 25.7 Km/h
(15 mph), all doors are closed and the accelerator pedal is depressed. The rolling door lock feature can be
disabled if desired.

This vehicle also offers several customer programmable features, which allows the selection of several optional
electronic features to suit individual preferences.

The power lock system for this vehicle can also be operated remotely using the available Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) system radio frequency transmitters, if equipped.

Certain functions and features of the power lock system rely upon resources shared with other electronic
modules in the vehicle over the Controlled Area Network (CAN). For proper diagnosis of these electronic
modules or of the CAN, the use of a scan tool and the appropriate diagnostic information are required.

REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY

The RKE system allows the use of a remote battery-powered radio transmitter to signal the TIPM to actuate the
power lock system. The RKE receiver operates on non-switched battery current through a fuse in the TIPM, so
that the system remains operational, regardless of the ignition switch position.

Certain RKE transmitters are also equipped with a Panic button. If the Panic button on the RKE transmitter is
depressed, the horn will sound and the exterior lights will flash on the vehicle for about three minutes, or until
the Panic button is depressed a second time. A vehicle speed of about 25.7 Km/h (15 mph) will also cancel the
panic event.

The RKE system can also perform other functions on this vehicle. If the vehicle is equipped with the optional
Vehicle Theft Security System (VTSS), the RKE transmitter will arm the VTSS when the Lock button is
depressed, and disarm the VTSS when the Unlock button is depressed.

The RKE system includes two transmitters when the vehicle is shipped from the factory, but the system can

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Power Locks - Service Information - Nitro

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Power Locks - Service Information - Nitro

retain the vehicle access codes of up to four transmitters. The transmitter codes are retained in the RKE receiver
memory, even if the battery is disconnected. If an RKE transmitter is faulty or lost, new transmitter vehicle
access codes can be programmed into the system using a scan tool.

This vehicle also offers several customer programmable features, which allows the selection of several optional
electronic features to suit individual preferences. Customer programmable feature options affecting the RKE
system include:



Remote Unlock Sequence - Allows the option of having only the driver side front door unlock when the
RKE transmitter Unlock button is depressed the first time. The remaining doors and the tailgate unlock
when the button is depressed a second time within 5 seconds of the first unlock press. Another option is
having all doors and the tailgate unlock upon the first depression of the RKE transmitter Unlock button.



Sound Horn on Lock - Allows the option of having the horn sound a short chirp as an audible
verification that the RKE system received a valid Lock request from the RKE transmitter, or having no
audible verification. This feature is not available on export vehicles.



Flash Lights with Lock and Unlock - Allows the option of having the lights flash as an optical
verification that the RKE system received a valid Lock request or Unlock request from the RKE
transmitter, or having no optical verification.



Programming Additional Transmitters - Allows up to four transmitter vehicle access codes to be
stored in the receiver memory. This feature is not available on export vehicles.

Certain functions and features of the RKE system rely upon resources shared with other electronic modules in
the vehicle over the Controlled Area Network (CAN). For diagnosis of these electronic modules or of the CAN,
the use of a scan tool and the appropriate diagnostic information are required.

COMBINATION FLASHER

This flasher can be energized by the TIPM to flash all of the park/turn signal lamps as an optical alert for the
RKE panic function and if the Flash Lights with Lock/Unlock programmable feature is enabled, as an optical
verification for the RKE lock/unlock event.

LOW BEAM HEADLAMP RELAY

This relay can be energized by the TIPM to flash the headlamp low beams as an optical alert for the RKE panic
function.

OPERATION

POWER LOCKS

POWER LOCKS

The Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) locks or unlocks the doors when an actuation input signal from a
door lock switch or Remote Keyless Entry Module (RKE) is received. The TIPM turns on the output drivers
and provides a voltage level to the door lock motor for a specified time. All passenger doors can be locked or
unlocked using a mechanical button mounted on the door trim panel. The front passenger doors and tailgate can
be locked or unlocked by using the key cylinder (tailgate cylinder does not lock/unlock vehicle. It only unlocks

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Power Locks - Service Information - Nitro

the tailgate). The tailgate will lock and can not be unlocked if the rear wiper switch is activated (this prevents
the wiper from operating when the tailgate is ajar). The tailgate will also lock if battery power is lost and then
restored.

AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS

When the automatic door locks are ENABLED the door locks will lock when the vehicle is moving at about
25.7 Km/h (15 mph), all doors are closed and the accelerator pedal is depressed. This feature can be switched
ON or OFF as desired. When the system is DISABLED the door locks will operate normally, but will not lock
automatically when the vehicle is rolling. Once the automatic door locks have been actuated, they will not try to
lock the doors again until a door is opened.

DOOR LOCK INHIBIT

If the key is in the ignition, in any position, and either front door is ajar, the doors can not be locked, but the
unlock function still operates. Pressing the RKE lock/unlock button under these conditions will result in a
normal lock/unlock activation.

After the key is removed from the Ignition Switch, or the doors are closed, the power door locks will operate
normally.

DOOR LOCK CIRCUIT PROTECTION

The TIPM controls the door lock relays. If the door lock switch is actuated continuously for more than five
seconds the TIPM will turn the output driver OFF (the TIPM would consider the switch stuck). Each lock motor
is protected with a Positive Temperature Coefficient device that prevents motor burn out.

REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY

LOCK : Pressing the LOCK button locks all doors, sounds horn (chirp) if enabled, and arms the Vehicle
Theft Security System, if enabled. The chirp verifies that the RKE receiver has sent a message to the
TIPM for door lock operation. If a door has not been closed before pressing the LOCK button, the vehicle
may not be secured and the VTSS (if equipped) will not arm until the door is closed.

UNLOCK : Pressing the UNLOCK button once will unlock the driver's door and activate the illuminated
entry system and disarm Vehicle Theft Security System, if equipped. Pressing the UNLOCK button twice
within five seconds will unlock all doors.

PANIC : If equipped, pressing the PANIC button sounds the horns at half second intervals, flashes the
exterior lamps, and turns ON the interior lamps. The panic alarm will remain on for three minutes, or
until the PANIC button is actuated again or the ignition switch is turned to the RUN position.

The Remote Keyless Entry Module is capable of retaining the transmitter Vehicle Access Code(s) in its memory
even after vehicle power has been interrupted.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

POWER LOCKS

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Power Locks - Service Information - Nitro

The Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) enters a reduced power mode after the key is turned OFF.
All diagnosis and testing of the power lock system must be done with the key in the ON position unless
otherwise stated.

The most reliable, efficient, and accurate means to diagnose the power lock system requires the use of a
scan tool and the proper Diagnostic article. The scan tool can provide confirmation that the CAN data
bus is functional, that all of the electronic modules are sending and receiving the proper messages on the
CAN data bus, and that the power lock motors are being sent the proper hard wired outputs by the
relays for them to perform their power lock system functions.

Following are tests that will help to diagnose the hard wired components and circuits of the power lock system.
However, these tests may not prove conclusive in the diagnosis of this system. In order to obtain conclusive
testing of the power lock system, the Controlled Area Network (CAN) and all of the electronic modules that
provide inputs to, or receive outputs from the power lock system components must be checked.

The TIPM will set Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) for the power lock system.

Refer to the appropriate wiring information. The wiring information includes wiring diagrams, proper wire and
connector repair procedures, details of wire harness routing and retention, connector pin-out information and
location views for the various wire harness connectors, splices and grounds.

PRELIMINARY DIAGNOSIS

As a preliminary diagnosis for the power lock system, note the system operation while you actuate both the
Lock and Unlock functions with the power lock switches and with the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter. Then, proceed as follows:

If the entire power lock system fails to function with either the power lock switches or the RKE
transmitter, check the fused B(+) fuse in the Junction Block (JB).

If the power lock system functions with both power lock switches, but not with the RKE transmitter,
proceed to diagnosis of the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) system. See DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING.

If the driver side power lock switch operates only the driver side front door power lock motor, but all
other power lock motors operate with the passenger side power lock switch or the RKE transmitter, use a
scan tool and the appropriate diagnostic information to diagnose the Controlled Area Network (CAN).

If only one power lock motor fails to operate with both power lock switches and the RKE transmitter,
proceed to diagnosis of the power lock motor. See DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING.

SPECIAL TOOLS

SPECIAL TOOLS

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Power Locks - Service Information - Nitro