I just bought a 04 3500 and it only had 1 key fob with it so the dealer gave me a key fob from another 04 dodge truck and I was wondering if I could program it to my truck or is that a dealer issue?

 

Welcome Aboard!

The procedure is on page 21 of my owners manual. Its probably in your OM too.

 

Do the batteries in these fobs ever have to be replaced? Are they likely to leave us srtanded one of these days? Since the truck will not run when started with a conventional key I'm a little concerned.

Wetspirit

 

The KEYFOB has nothing to do with the truck running. It's the big key that has the electronic stuff int that will leave you stranded if you get locked out. My advise for all that have these keys is to imediately go out and get atleast 2 more keys and program them, because it takes 2 keys to program another key. In other words if you loose one of your 2 keys that came with the truck you CANNOT program a replacement key yourself. You have to have the dealer reprogram the whole computer with their computer. So do yourself a favor and get a couple of spares and program yourself for FREE

 

SuperGewl




Eeeek, what was I thinking?

Thanks,

Wetspirit

 

From the 2004 shop manual:

The following procedure can be used as long as one
programmed transmitter is available:
NOTE: When entering program mode using that
programmed fob, ALL currently programmed fobs
will be erased and they will have to be reprogrammed
for the vehicle. If program mode is
entered and no action is performed, the previously
programmed fobs will continue to function.
(1) Enter the vehicle and close all doors.
(2) Fasten the seat belt (this will cancel the seat
belt chime). Turn the ignition to the RUN position.
(3) Press and hold the UNLOCK button on a programmed
transmitter for 4 to 10 seconds. Within the
4 to 10 seconds with the UNLOCK button still
depressed, press the PANIC button for one second.
When a single chime is heard, release both buttons.
The chime indicates the system is in program
mode.
(4) Press and release both the LOCK and
UNLOCK buttons simultaneously on a fob to be programmed.
A single chime will be heard, this indicates
the fob has been recognized.
(5) Press and release any button on the same fob.
A single chime will be heard, this indicates the fob
has been programmed.
(6) Repeat steps 4 and 5 for up to a total of 4 fobs.
(7) Turn the ignition OFF.
(8) Turn the ignition ON or wait 60 seconds.
The vehicle will remain in program mode for up to
60 seconds from when the original chime (step 3) was
heard. After 60 seconds, all programmed transmitters
will function normally.

 

Since we're on the subject, here is how to replace the batteries:

The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter case
snaps open and shut for battery access. To replace
the RKE transmitter batteries:
(1) Using a thin coin, gently pry at the notch in
the center seam of the RKE transmitter case halves
near the key ring until the two halves unsnap. Be
careful not to damage the rubber gasket when separating
the case halves.
(2) Lift the back half of the transmitter case off of
the RKE transmitter.
(3) Remove the two batteries from the RKE transmitter.
(4) Replace the two batteries with new 3V lithium
2016 cell. Install the batteries with the positive terminal
up. Reference the “+ SIDE UP” on the inside of
the bottom half of the transmitter case.
(5) Align the two RKE transmitter case halves
with each other, and squeeze them firmly and evenly
together until they snap back into place. Test transmitter
operation.

 

Unless i'm right out to lunch, the key fob he's talking about is not the key with the electronics in it , but rather the little black hand held unit that lock and unlocks the doors.

 

But if there isn't already one programmed keyfob, does it need to be taken to the dealer? I got the Mopar keyless entry for Christmas and am pretty sure that is what I need to do after installing it.

Nick

 

Thanks for all the input.......After I posted this thread I thought......I bet it is in my owners manual.....duh.

This is a cool site...I know it will be alot of help in the future.....

 

Nirion,

You'll have to post the instructions that came with that Mopar keyless entry (to get an answer out of me anyway).

If the Mopar keyless entry is like an aftermarket keyless entry then no you won't have to go to the dealer. It's probably a self-contained unit.

Even if it is the same as the factory installed unit, you probably won't have to take it in because the transmitters that came with your unit are probably already programmed for that unit.

But again, that's all a guess since I haven't read the instructions.