Keys Be Careful
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From: Adirondacks of New York and Daytona Beach FL.
Alarm Test
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The key has two functions....maybe.
1. First is the sentry. This is a passive transponder chip. It gets its power from a coil of wire that surrounds the ig switch. The coil beams a signal to the embedded chip and it retransmits its' coded signal. It has no battery need as it is powered wirelessly by the car.
2. The wirelss entry fob function uses a little battery within the fat key head. Dead battery means no remote entry functions.
3. The Sentry key codes are kept in the SKIM. It never forgets and can holds up to 8 keys. After you fill it up,the dealer must erase all 8, and re-enter the new keys one at a time.
See, Daimler really did marry you to the dealership for life. You can't avoid paying them. Cute eh?
CP
1. First is the sentry. This is a passive transponder chip. It gets its power from a coil of wire that surrounds the ig switch. The coil beams a signal to the embedded chip and it retransmits its' coded signal. It has no battery need as it is powered wirelessly by the car.
2. The wirelss entry fob function uses a little battery within the fat key head. Dead battery means no remote entry functions.
3. The Sentry key codes are kept in the SKIM. It never forgets and can holds up to 8 keys. After you fill it up,the dealer must erase all 8, and re-enter the new keys one at a time.
See, Daimler really did marry you to the dealership for life. You can't avoid paying them. Cute eh?
CP
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From: Gillette, Wyoming
"Yes we are talking about the Sentry key system and no this does not mean the truck has an alarm....roll your window down...lock your doors with key fob....reach in and maually unlock door and open....if nothing happens you have no alarm." -- Hairy1
You are correct that after so many tries with an invalid key on trucks with the Sentry System the truck will be disabled. However, by just locking your doors; either with or with out your remote; you may not have the Sentry System, but the factory VTSS (Vehicle Theft Security System). Most Third Generation Trucks of Dodge with the SLT and Lariamie Packages have this system installed (VTSS). If you have a keyless remote key fob then you should have the Vehicle Theft Security System, which is indicated by a blinking red light on the intrument cluster after the system is armed (Locking your doors etc..). This system should disarm after unlocking the vehicle by using the unlock button on the key fob or the drivers or passengers front door lock(s) (On models equipt with two front key door locks). Since there supposed to be a VTSS reciever behind the lock('s) mechanism and under the hood to disarm the system when the key is turned to the unlock position. Although, I have been know to unlock the truck and still set off the Alarm. Which I believe is due to me grabbing the door handle and unlocking the truck at the same time. The VTSS does not disable the truck like the Sentry System does, but it could be called a cheap car alarm pre-installed by the factory.
The Sentry System is only an engine immobilizer not an alarm like the Vehicle Theft Security System. Otherwise if you were to start the truck with an invalid key then the truck would honk and it would blink the hazard lights, but this does not happen unless the factory Vehicle Theft Security System is armed and senses a theft condition. Usually, this occurs when the theif breaks into the vehicle not when trying to start the vehicle. Note the word usually. This is where the Sentry Sytems is supposed to save your truck from theft and the hack shop in Mexico by disabling the engine. You can tell the Sentry System on the 2003-2005 trucks apart from the plain VTSS secured trucks by the color of the ignition key. On the 2006-2007 trucks I am not familiar if there is a color difference in the key. My service manuals do not speak of any visiable difference in color. Sentry keys on the 2003-2005 trucks are gray and the non-Sentry key are black. The earlier keys will work with the newer trucks but the remote key fob that is now one piece on the newer trucks will have to be modified or bought with the key.
Hope this clears some misconception about the security system on these trucks. Basicly all factory systems have weaknesses. If you want a good system then buy an after market kit. I know, I have these systems and still heard of theft. Although, I have a neighbor with an Viper alarm and his Jeep goes bezerk even with just a viberation of a motorcycle exhaust going by.
Shawn
You are correct that after so many tries with an invalid key on trucks with the Sentry System the truck will be disabled. However, by just locking your doors; either with or with out your remote; you may not have the Sentry System, but the factory VTSS (Vehicle Theft Security System). Most Third Generation Trucks of Dodge with the SLT and Lariamie Packages have this system installed (VTSS). If you have a keyless remote key fob then you should have the Vehicle Theft Security System, which is indicated by a blinking red light on the intrument cluster after the system is armed (Locking your doors etc..). This system should disarm after unlocking the vehicle by using the unlock button on the key fob or the drivers or passengers front door lock(s) (On models equipt with two front key door locks). Since there supposed to be a VTSS reciever behind the lock('s) mechanism and under the hood to disarm the system when the key is turned to the unlock position. Although, I have been know to unlock the truck and still set off the Alarm. Which I believe is due to me grabbing the door handle and unlocking the truck at the same time. The VTSS does not disable the truck like the Sentry System does, but it could be called a cheap car alarm pre-installed by the factory.
The Sentry System is only an engine immobilizer not an alarm like the Vehicle Theft Security System. Otherwise if you were to start the truck with an invalid key then the truck would honk and it would blink the hazard lights, but this does not happen unless the factory Vehicle Theft Security System is armed and senses a theft condition. Usually, this occurs when the theif breaks into the vehicle not when trying to start the vehicle. Note the word usually. This is where the Sentry Sytems is supposed to save your truck from theft and the hack shop in Mexico by disabling the engine. You can tell the Sentry System on the 2003-2005 trucks apart from the plain VTSS secured trucks by the color of the ignition key. On the 2006-2007 trucks I am not familiar if there is a color difference in the key. My service manuals do not speak of any visiable difference in color. Sentry keys on the 2003-2005 trucks are gray and the non-Sentry key are black. The earlier keys will work with the newer trucks but the remote key fob that is now one piece on the newer trucks will have to be modified or bought with the key.
Hope this clears some misconception about the security system on these trucks. Basicly all factory systems have weaknesses. If you want a good system then buy an after market kit. I know, I have these systems and still heard of theft. Although, I have a neighbor with an Viper alarm and his Jeep goes bezerk even with just a viberation of a motorcycle exhaust going by.
Shawn
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From: Texas
Yup found this out the other night. Went to my mom's for an early mother's day and stayed the night. Went out at like 12am to get my snuff and didn't want the flashing lights to awake my mom... So I decided to just use the key to open the door to find out that my truck has an alarm!!!!
At any length it took a few honks to get it turned off... That horn is loud 
Also, I set the alarm off some how yesterday when I was stuck in the mud.. In the confusion of it all I somehow set if off when I cranked the truck as I was getting pulled. Everything was flashing and the motor was running and when I put it into gear the gear indicator was flashing whenever I'd put it into D or R except N which didn't flash...
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From: cypress/houston, tx
I have a plain key I use to run the truck from time to time. Some mornings I start it and let it run for a bit while I am loading or if I know I am going in and out of stores I use it. I start the truck by holding the sentry key up to the ignition while I turn the ignition to run with the plain key. Once the sentry light goes out, I start the truck; the plain key can start it and keep it running after the code is read. I use the keyless entry to lock it if I leave it to go in a store (ie I keep my regular keys on me).
My logic is it's one less expensive key to loose if I missplace it, and if someone does break into my truck and happen to take it, at least they will have one more hassell to overcome. Also, if they happen to drive off with it and happen to turn it off, at least they cannot restart it and may abandon it. I keep the plain key in the truck. My keychain is already bulky enough.
I have not tried starting it more than once with the plain key. This does happen by mistake from time to time though.
My logic is it's one less expensive key to loose if I missplace it, and if someone does break into my truck and happen to take it, at least they will have one more hassell to overcome. Also, if they happen to drive off with it and happen to turn it off, at least they cannot restart it and may abandon it. I keep the plain key in the truck. My keychain is already bulky enough.
I have not tried starting it more than once with the plain key. This does happen by mistake from time to time though.
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