1998 DODGE RAM 1500 section 5

(1) Move the right or left front outboard seat sec-
tion (40 percent) to its most rearward position and
tilt the seat back forward for easiest access to the
front outboard seat belt buckle lower anchor.
(2) For easiest access to the front outboard seat
belt buckle lower anchor on standard cab models,
also move the outboard seat section (40 percent)
opposite the side from which the buckle is to be
removed to its most forward position and tilt the seat
back forward.
(3) On standard cab models only, remove the stow-
age tray from the rear floor panel behind the seat.
(Refer to 23 - BODY/INTERIOR/REAR FLOOR
STOWAGE TRAY - REMOVAL).
(4) From behind the front seat on the driver side
only, disconnect the seat belt switch pigtail wire con-
nector from the seat wire harness take out and con-
nector for the switch located below the inboard edge
of the driver side inboard seat track just forward of
the buckle lower anchor (Fig. 33).
(5) From behind the front seat, remove the screw
that secures the front outboard seat belt buckle lower
anchor to the bracket on the inboard seat track.
(6) From the front of the front seat, reach between
the center seat cushion and the adjacent right or left
front outboard seat cushion to access and remove the
front outboard seat belt buckle from the seat.INSTALLATION
A traveling front outboard seat belt buckle is
located on the inboard side of each front outboard
seat section (40 percent) used on all models. The seat
belt buckle on the driver's side front seat for all mod-
els also includes a seat belt switch. (Refer to 8 -
ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/SEAT BELT SWITCH -
DESCRIPTION).
WARNING: TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY OR
DEATH, DURING AND FOLLOWING ANY SEAT BELT
OR CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHOR SERVICE, CARE-
FULLY INSPECT ALL SEAT BELTS, BUCKLES,
MOUNTING HARDWARE, RETRACTORS, TETHER
STRAPS, AND ANCHORS FOR PROPER INSTALLA-
TION, OPERATION, OR DAMAGE. REPLACE ANY
BELT THAT IS CUT, FRAYED, OR TORN.
STRAIGHTEN ANY BELT THAT IS TWISTED.
TIGHTEN ANY LOOSE FASTENERS. REPLACE ANY
BELT THAT HAS A DAMAGED OR INOPERATIVE
BUCKLE OR RETRACTOR. REPLACE ANY BELT
THAT HAS A BENT OR DAMAGED LATCH PLATE
OR ANCHOR PLATE. REPLACE ANY CHILD
RESTRAINT ANCHOR OR THE UNIT TO WHICH THE
ANCHOR IS INTEGRAL THAT HAS BEEN BENT OR
DAMAGED. NEVER ATTEMPT TO REPAIR A SEAT
BELT OR CHILD RESTRAINT COMPONENT.
ALWAYS REPLACE DAMAGED OR FAULTY SEAT
BELT AND CHILD RESTRAINT COMPONENTS WITH
THE CORRECT, NEW AND UNUSED REPLACEMENT
PARTS LISTED IN THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER MOPAR
PARTS CATALOG.
(1) From the front of the front seat, reach between
the center seat cushion and the adjacent right or left
front outboard seat cushion to position the front out-
board seat belt buckle to the seat (Fig. 33).
(2) From behind the front seat, install and tighten
the screw that secures the front outboard seat belt
buckle lower anchor to the bracket on the inboard
seat track. Tighten the screw to 25 N´m (18 ft. lbs.).
(3) From behind the front seat on the driver side
only, reconnect the seat belt switch pigtail wire con-
nector to the seat wire harness take out and connec-
tor for the switch located below the inboard edge of
the driver side inboard seat track just forward of the
buckle lower anchor.
(4) On standard cab models only, reinstall the
stowage tray onto the rear floor panel behind the
seat. (Refer to 23 - BODY/INTERIOR/REAR FLOOR
STOWAGE TRAY - INSTALLATION).
(5) On standard cab models, move the outboard
seat section (40 percent) opposite the side from which
the buckle was replaced to its most rearward position
and tilt the seat back to its upright position.
Fig. 33 Front Outboard Seat Belt Buckle Remove/
Install
1 - DRIVER SIDE FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE
2 - SEAT CUSHION
3 - PIGTAIL WIRE
4 - INBOARD SEAT TRACK
5 - SCREW
8O - 38 RESTRAINTSDR
FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE (Continued)

INSTALLATION
WARNING: TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY OR
DEATH, ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS,
DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYS-
TEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING
WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, AIRBAG, SEAT BELT
TENSIONER, IMPACT SENSOR, OR INSTRUMENT
PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE.
DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGA-
TIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES
FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE
BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR
SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DIS-
ABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM.
FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS
COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOY-
MENT.
(1) Position the passenger airbag on/off switch and
face plate unit to the back of the center bezel (Fig.
40).
(2) Install and tighten the three screws that secure
the passenger airbag on/off switch face plate to the
back of the center bezel. Tighten the screws to 2 N´m
(17 in. lbs.).
(3) Reinstall the center bezel onto the instrument
panel. (Refer to 23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/
INSTRUMENT PANEL CENTER BEZEL - INSTAL-
LATION).
(4) Do not reconnect the battery negative cable at
this time. The supplemental restraint system verifi-
cation test procedure should be performed following
service of any supplemental restraint system compo-nent. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS -
STANDARD PROCEDURE - VERIFICATION TEST).
REAR CENTER SEAT BELT &
RETRACTOR
REMOVAL
The rear center seat belt retractor is secured with
a single screw to a mounting bracket that includes
the unique black, keyed center seat belt lower anchor
buckle and the right outboard occupant buckle, but
can be removed from the mounting bracket and is
serviced separately from the two buckles. The center
anchor buckle and the right outboard occupant
buckle are serviced as a unit with their mounting
bracket. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/
REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLE - REMOVAL - CEN-
TER ANCHOR & RIGHT OUTBOARD).
WARNING: TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY OR
DEATH, DURING AND FOLLOWING ANY SEAT BELT
OR CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHOR SERVICE, CARE-
FULLY INSPECT ALL SEAT BELTS, BUCKLES,
MOUNTING HARDWARE, RETRACTORS, TETHER
STRAPS, AND ANCHORS FOR PROPER INSTALLA-
TION, OPERATION, OR DAMAGE. REPLACE ANY
BELT THAT IS CUT, FRAYED, OR TORN.
STRAIGHTEN ANY BELT THAT IS TWISTED.
TIGHTEN ANY LOOSE FASTENERS. REPLACE ANY
BELT THAT HAS A DAMAGED OR INOPERATIVE
BUCKLE OR RETRACTOR. REPLACE ANY BELT
THAT HAS A BENT OR DAMAGED LATCH PLATE
OR ANCHOR PLATE. REPLACE ANY CHILD
RESTRAINT ANCHOR OR THE UNIT TO WHICH THE
ANCHOR IS INTEGRAL THAT HAS BEEN BENT OR
DAMAGED. NEVER ATTEMPT TO REPAIR A SEAT
BELT OR CHILD RESTRAINT COMPONENT.
ALWAYS REPLACE DAMAGED OR FAULTY SEAT
BELT AND CHILD RESTRAINT COMPONENTS WITH
THE CORRECT, NEW AND UNUSED REPLACEMENT
PARTS LISTED IN THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER MOPAR
PARTS CATALOG.
(1) Reach between the rear seat cushion and the
rear seat back to access and unbuckle the center seat
belt lower anchor latch plate from the unique black,
keyed lower anchor buckle. Use an ignition key or a
small screwdriver to depress the small white release
button on the anchor buckle.
(2) Remove the rear seat from the vehicle. On
models with the optional 60/40 split rear bench, only
the 60 percent section (right side) of the rear seat
must be removed. (Refer to 23 - BODY/SEATS/SEAT
- REAR - REMOVAL).
Fig. 40 Passenger Airbag On/Off Switch Remove/
Install
1 - CENTER BEZEL
2 - SCREW (3)
3 - SWITCH & PLATE UNIT
8O - 44 RESTRAINTSDR
PASSENGER AIRBAG ON/OFF SWITCH (Continued)

WARNING: TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY OR
DEATH, DURING AND FOLLOWING ANY SEAT BELT
OR CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHOR SERVICE, CARE-
FULLY INSPECT ALL SEAT BELTS, BUCKLES,
MOUNTING HARDWARE, RETRACTORS, TETHER
STRAPS, AND ANCHORS FOR PROPER INSTALLA-
TION, OPERATION, OR DAMAGE. REPLACE ANY
BELT THAT IS CUT, FRAYED, OR TORN.
STRAIGHTEN ANY BELT THAT IS TWISTED.
TIGHTEN ANY LOOSE FASTENERS. REPLACE ANY
BELT THAT HAS A DAMAGED OR INOPERATIVE
BUCKLE OR RETRACTOR. REPLACE ANY BELT
THAT HAS A BENT OR DAMAGED LATCH PLATE
OR ANCHOR PLATE. REPLACE ANY CHILD
RESTRAINT ANCHOR OR THE UNIT TO WHICH THE
ANCHOR IS INTEGRAL THAT HAS BEEN BENT OR
DAMAGED. NEVER ATTEMPT TO REPAIR A SEAT
BELT OR CHILD RESTRAINT COMPONENT.
ALWAYS REPLACE DAMAGED OR FAULTY SEAT
BELT AND CHILD RESTRAINT COMPONENTS WITH
THE CORRECT, NEW AND UNUSED REPLACEMENT
PARTS LISTED IN THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER MOPAR
PARTS CATALOG.
(1) Position the rear center seat belt and retractor
unit onto the center anchor/right outboard occupant
buckle and mounting bracket unit on the rear floor
panel near the base of the cab back panel (Fig. 42).
(2) Install and tighten the screw that secures the
rear center seat belt retractor bracket to the center
anchor/right outboard occupant buckle and mounting
bracket unit. Tighten the screw to 40 N´m (29 ft.
lbs.).
(3) Position the belt bracket of the rear center seat
belt onto the body bracket on the upper cab back
panel reinforcement (Fig. 41).
(4) Install and tighten the two screws that secure
the belt bracket of the rear center seat belt to the
body bracket. Tighten the screws to 20 N´m (15 ft.
lbs.).
(5) Lift the webbing of the rear center seat belt
and slide the cover over the belt bracket at the top of
the cab back panel until it is fully seated.
(6) Route the rear center seat belt bezel over the
webbing of the rear center seat belt.
(7) Position the rear center seat belt bezel over the
cover and belt bracket at the top of the cab back
panel and engage the rearward snap features of the
bezel with the belt bracket. Using hand pressure,
press firmly and evenly downward on the front of the
bezel until it snaps into place over the cover and belt
bracket.
(8) Reinstall the rear seat into the vehicle. On
models with the optional 60/40 split rear bench, only
the 60 percent section (right side) of the rear seat
must be reinstalled. (Refer to 23 - BODY/SEATS/
SEAT - REAR - INSTALLATION).(9) Reach between the rear seat cushion and the
rear seat back to buckle the rear center seat belt
lower anchor latch plate to the unique black, keyed
lower anchor buckle.
REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT
& RETRACTOR
REMOVAL
The only component of this seat belt and retractor
unit that is available for individual service replace-
ment is the plastic web stop button that prevents the
latch plate from falling to the floor while in the
stored position. Refer to the instructions supplied
with the service kit for the proper web stop button
replacement procedures.
WARNING: TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY OR
DEATH, DURING AND FOLLOWING ANY SEAT BELT
OR CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHOR SERVICE, CARE-
FULLY INSPECT ALL SEAT BELTS, BUCKLES,
MOUNTING HARDWARE, RETRACTORS, TETHER
STRAPS, AND ANCHORS FOR PROPER INSTALLA-
TION, OPERATION, OR DAMAGE. REPLACE ANY
BELT THAT IS CUT, FRAYED, OR TORN.
STRAIGHTEN ANY BELT THAT IS TWISTED.
TIGHTEN ANY LOOSE FASTENERS. REPLACE ANY
BELT THAT HAS A DAMAGED OR INOPERATIVE
BUCKLE OR RETRACTOR. REPLACE ANY BELT
THAT HAS A BENT OR DAMAGED LATCH PLATE
OR ANCHOR PLATE. REPLACE ANY CHILD
RESTRAINT ANCHOR OR THE UNIT TO WHICH THE
ANCHOR IS INTEGRAL THAT HAS BEEN BENT OR
DAMAGED. NEVER ATTEMPT TO REPAIR A SEAT
BELT OR CHILD RESTRAINT COMPONENT.
ALWAYS REPLACE DAMAGED OR FAULTY SEAT
BELT AND CHILD RESTRAINT COMPONENTS WITH
THE CORRECT, NEW AND UNUSED REPLACEMENT
PARTS LISTED IN THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER MOPAR
PARTS CATALOG.
(1) Remove the rear seat from the vehicle. (Refer
to 23 - BODY/SEATS/SEAT - REAR - REMOVAL).
(2) Remove the screw that secures the lower seat
belt anchor to the base of the inner C-pillar (Fig. 43).
(3) Remove the lower seat belt anchor from the
base of the inner C-pillar.
(4) Unsnap and remove the trim cover from the
rear outboard seat belt turning loop to access the
screw that secures the turning loop to the upper
inner C-pillar. Discard the removed turning loop trim
cover as it is not intended for reuse.
(5) Remove the screw that secures the seat belt
turning loop to the C-pillar.
8O - 46 RESTRAINTSDR
REAR CENTER SEAT BELT & RETRACTOR (Continued)

REMOVAL - CENTER ANCHOR & RIGHT
OUTBOARD
The unique black, keyed center seat belt lower
anchor buckle and the right outboard occupant
buckle are serviced as a unit with their mounting
bracket. The rear center seat belt retractor is also
secured to the mounting bracket with these two
buckles, but can be removed from the mounting
bracket and is serviced separately from the two buck-
les. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/REAR
CENTER SEAT BELT & RETRACTOR - REMOVAL).
WARNING: TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY OR
DEATH, DURING AND FOLLOWING ANY SEAT BELT
OR CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHOR SERVICE, CARE-
FULLY INSPECT ALL SEAT BELTS, BUCKLES,
MOUNTING HARDWARE, RETRACTORS, TETHER
STRAPS, AND ANCHORS FOR PROPER INSTALLA-
TION, OPERATION, OR DAMAGE. REPLACE ANY
BELT THAT IS CUT, FRAYED, OR TORN.
STRAIGHTEN ANY BELT THAT IS TWISTED.
TIGHTEN ANY LOOSE FASTENERS. REPLACE ANY
BELT THAT HAS A DAMAGED OR INOPERATIVE
BUCKLE OR RETRACTOR. REPLACE ANY BELT
THAT HAS A BENT OR DAMAGED LATCH PLATE
OR ANCHOR PLATE. REPLACE ANY CHILD
RESTRAINT ANCHOR OR THE UNIT TO WHICH THE
ANCHOR IS INTEGRAL THAT HAS BEEN BENT OR
DAMAGED. NEVER ATTEMPT TO REPAIR A SEAT
BELT OR CHILD RESTRAINT COMPONENT.
ALWAYS REPLACE DAMAGED OR FAULTY SEAT
BELT AND CHILD RESTRAINT COMPONENTS WITH
THE CORRECT, NEW AND UNUSED REPLACEMENT
PARTS LISTED IN THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER MOPAR
PARTS CATALOG.
(1) Reach between the rear seat cushion and the
rear seat back to access and unbuckle the rear center
seat belt lower anchor latch plate from the unique
black, keyed lower anchor buckle. Use an ignition
key or a small screwdriver to depress the small white
release button on the anchor buckle.
(2) Remove the rear seat from the vehicle. On
models with the optional 60/40 split rear bench, only
the 60 percent section (right side) of the rear seat
must be removed. (Refer to 23 - BODY/SEATS/SEAT
- REAR - REMOVAL).(3) Remove the screw that secures the rear center
seat belt retractor to the center anchor/right out-
board occupant buckle and mounting bracket unit on
the rear floor panel near the cab back panel (Fig. 45).
(4) Remove the rear center seat belt retractor from
the center anchor/right outboard occupant buckle and
mounting bracket unit.
(5) Remove the two screws that secure the center
anchor/right outboard occupant buckle and mounting
bracket unit to the rear floor panel near the base of
the cab back panel (Fig. 46).
(6) Remove the center anchor/right outboard occu-
pant buckle and mounting bracket unit from the rear
floor panel.
Fig. 45 Rear Center Retractor & Mounting Bracket
1 - RIGHT OUTBOARD OCCUPANT BUCKLE
2 - REAR CENTER SEAT BELT
3 - REAR CENTER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR
4 - MOUNTING BRACKET
5 - CENTER ANCHOR BUCKLE
6 - SCREW (1)
DRRESTRAINTS 8O - 49
REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLE (Continued)

(1) Position the center anchor/right outboard occu-
pant buckle and mounting bracket unit onto the rear
floor panel near the base of the cab back panel (Fig.
46).
(2) Install and tighten the two screws that secure
the center anchor/right outboard occupant buckle and
mounting bracket unit to the rear floor panel.
Tighten the screws to 40 N´m (29 ft. lbs.).
(3) Position the rear center seat belt retractor onto
the center anchor/right outboard occupant buckle and
mounting bracket unit (Fig. 45).
(4) Install and tighten the screw that secures the
rear center seat belt retractor to the center anchor/
right outboard occupant buckle and mounting
bracket unit. Tighten the screw to 40 N´m (29 ft.
lbs.).
(5) Reinstall the rear seat into the vehicle. On
models with the optional 60/40 split rear bench, only
the 60 percent section (right side) of the rear seat
must be reinstalled. (Refer to 23 - BODY/SEATS/
SEAT - REAR - INSTALLATION).
(6) Reach between the rear seat cushion and the
rear seat back to access and buckle the rear center
seat belt lower anchor latch plate to the unique
black, keyed lower anchor buckle.
SEAT BELT SWITCH
DESCRIPTION
The seat belt switch is a small, normally open, sin-
gle pole, single throw, leaf contact, momentary
switch. Only one seat belt switch is installed in the
vehicle, and it is integral to the buckle of the driver
side front seat belt buckle-half, located on the
inboard side of the driver side front seat track (Fig.
47). The seat belt switch is connected to the vehicle
electrical system through a two-wire pigtail wire and
connector on the seat belt buckle-half, which is con-
nected to a wire harness connector and take out of
the seat wire harness routed beneath the driver side
front seat cushion in the passenger compartment.
The seat belt switch cannot be adjusted or repaired
and, if faulty or damaged, the entire driver side front
seat belt buckle-half unit must be replaced.
OPERATION
The seat belt switch is designed to control a path
to ground for the seat belt switch sense input of the
ElectroMechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC). When
the driver side front seat belt tip-half is inserted into
the seat belt buckle, the switch closes the path to
ground; and, when the driver side front seat belt tip-
half is removed from the seat belt buckle, the switch
opens the ground path. The switch is actuated by the
latch mechanism within the seat belt buckle.
The seat belt switch is connected in series between
ground and the seat belt switch sense input of the
instrument cluster. The seat belt switch receives
ground at all times through its pigtail wire connec-
tion to the seat wire harness from a take out of the
body wire harness. An eyelet terminal connector on
the body wire harness ground take out is secured
beneath a ground screw on the left cowl side inner
panel, beneath the instrument panel. The seat belt
switch may de diagnosed using conventional diagnos-
tic tools and methods.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - SEAT BELT
SWITCH
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.
Fig. 47 Seat Belt Switch
1 - DRIVER SIDE FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE
2 - SEAT CUSHION
3 - PIGTAIL WIRE
4 - INBOARD SEAT TRACK
5 - SCREW
DRRESTRAINTS 8O - 51
REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLE (Continued)

VACUUM RESERVOIR
DESCRIPTION
The vacuum reservoir is a plastic storage tank con-
nected to an engine vacuum source by vacuum lines.
A vacuum reservoir is not used with diesel engines or
the 5.7L gas powered engine.
OPERATION
The vacuum reservoir is used to supply the vac-
uum needed to maintain proper speed control opera-
tion when engine vacuum drops, such as in climbing
a grade while driving. A one-way check valve is used
in the vacuum line between the reservoir and the
vacuum source. This check valve is used to trap
engine vacuum in the reservoir. On certain vehicle
applications, this reservoir is shared with the heat-
ing/air-conditioning system. The vacuum reservoir
cannot be repaired and must be replaced if faulty.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - VACUUM
RESERVOIR
(1) Disconnect vacuum hose at speed control servo
and install a vacuum gauge into the disconnected
hose.
(2) Start engine and observe gauge at idle. Vac-
uum gauge should read at least ten inches of mer-
cury.
(3) If vacuum is less than ten inches of mercury,
determine source of leak. Check vacuum line to
engine for leaks. Also check actual engine intake
manifold vacuum. If manifold vacuum does not meet
this requirement, check for poor engine performance
and repair as necessary.
(4) If vacuum line to engine is not leaking, check
for leak at vacuum reservoir. To locate and gain
access to reservoir, refer to Vacuum Reservoir Remov-
al/Installation in this group. Disconnect vacuum line
at reservoir and connect a hand-operated vacuum
pump to reservoir fitting. Apply vacuum. Reservoir
vacuum should not bleed off. If vacuum is being lost,
replace reservoir.
(5) Verify operation of one-way check valve and
check it for leaks.Certain models may be
equipped with 2 check-valves.
(a) Locate one-way check valve. The valve is
located in vacuum line between vacuum reservoir
and engine vacuum source. Disconnect vacuum
hoses (lines) at each end of valve.(b) Connect a hand-operated vacuum pump to
reservoir end of check valve. Apply vacuum. Vac-
uum should not bleed off. If vacuum is being lost,
replace one-way check valve.
(c) Connect a hand-operated vacuum pump to
vacuum source end of check valve. Apply vacuum.
Vacuum should flow through valve. If vacuum is
not flowing, replace one-way check valve. Seal the
fitting at opposite end of valve with a finger and
apply vacuum. If vacuum will not hold, diaphragm
within check valve has ruptured. Replace valve.
REMOVAL
The vacuum reservoir is located in the engine com-
partment under the fresh air cowl grill panel (Fig.
10).
(1) Remove wiper blades and arms. Refer to Wiper
Arm Removal / Installation in the Wipers / Washers
section.
(2) Remove fresh air cowl grill. Refer to Cowl Grill
Removal / Installation.
(3) Disconnect vacuum line at reservoir (Fig. 11).
(4) Remove 2 reservoir mounting nuts (Fig. 11).
(5) Remove reservoir from cowl.
Fig. 10 VACUUM RESERVOIR LOCATION
1 - COWL GRILL
2 - WIPER ARMS / BLADES
3 - VACUUM RESERVOIR
DRSPEED CONTROL 8P - 9

After the vehicle is locked and the last door is
closed, the VTSS indicator in the instrument cluster
will flash quickly for 16 seconds, indicating that the
arming is in process. After 16 seconds, the LED will
continue to flash at a slower rate indicating that the
system is armed.
VTSS disarming occurs upon normal vehicle entry
by unlocking either door via the key cylinder or RKE
transmitter, or by starting the vehicle with a valid
Sentry Key. This disarming will also halt the alarm
once it has been activated.
A tamper alert exists to notify the driver that the
system has been activated. This alert consists of 3
horn pulses and the security telltale flashing for 30
seconds when the vehicle is disarmed. The tamper
alert will not occur if disarmed while alarming.
The VTSS will not arm by mechanically locking the
vehicle doors. This will manually override the sys-
tem.
OPERATION - SENTRY KEY IMMOBILIZER
SYSTEM (SKIS)
The SKIS includes two valid Sentry Key transpon-
ders from the factory. These two Sentry Keys can be
used to program additional non-coded blank Sentry
Keys. These blank keys can be cut to match a valid
ignition key, but the engine will not start unless the
key transponder is also programmed to the vehicle.
The SKIS will recognize no more than eight valid
Sentry Key transponders at any one time.
The SKIS performs a self-test each time the igni-
tion switch is turned to the ON position, and will
store Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC's) if a system
malfunction is detected. The SKIS can be diagnosed,
and any stored DTC can be retrieved using a
DRBIIItscan tool as described in the proper Power-
train Diagnostic Procedures manual.
OPERATION ± SENTRY KEY IMMOBILIZER
MODULE (SKIM)
The SKIM transmits and receives RF signals
through a tuned antenna enclosed within a molded
plastic ring formation that is integral to the SKIM
housing. When the SKIM is properly installed on the
steering column, the antenna ring is oriented around
the circumference of the ignition lock cylinder hous-
ing. This antenna ring must be located within eight
millimeters (0.31 inches) of the Sentry Key in order
to ensure proper RF communication between the
SKIM and the Sentry Key transponder.
For added system security, each SKIM is pro-
grammed with a unique ªSecret Keyº code and a
security code. The SKIM keeps the ªSecret Keyº code
in memory. The SKIM also sends the ªSecret Keyº
code to each of the programmed Sentry Key tran-
sponders. The security code is used by the assemblyplant to access the SKIS for initialization, or by the
dealer technician to access the system for service.
The SKIM also stores in its memory the Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN), which it learns through
a PCI bus message from the PCM during initializa-
tion.
The SKIM and the PCM both use software that
includes a rolling code algorithm strategy, which
helps to reduce the possibility of unauthorized SKIS
disarming. The rolling code algorithm ensures secu-
rity by preventing an override of the SKIS through
the unauthorized substitution of the SKIM or the
PCM. However, the use of this strategy also means
that replacement of either the SKIM or the PCM
units will require a system initialization procedure to
restore system operation.
When the ignition switch is turned to the ON or
START positions, the SKIM transmits an RF signal
to excite the Sentry Key transponder. The SKIM then
listens for a return RF signal from the transponder
of the Sentry Key that is inserted in the ignition lock
cylinder. If the SKIM receives an RF signal with
valid ªSecret Keyº and transponder identification
codes, the SKIM sends a ªvalid keyº message to the
PCM over the PCI bus. If the SKIM receives an
invalid RF signal or no response, it sends ªinvalid
keyº messages to the PCM. The PCM will enable or
disable engine operation based upon the status of the
SKIM messages.
The SKIM also sends messages to the Instrument
Cluster which controls the VTSS indicator. The
SKIM sends messages to the Instrument Cluster to
turn the indicator on for about three seconds when
the ignition switch is turned to the ON position as a
ªbulbº test. After completion of the ªbulbº test, the
SKIM sends bus messages to keep the indicator off
for a duration of about one second. Then the SKIM
sends messages to turn the indicator on or off based
upon the results of the SKIS self-tests. If the VTSS
indicator comes on and stays on after the ªbulb testº,
it indicates that the SKIM has detected a system
malfunction and/or that the SKIS has become inoper-
ative.
If the SKIM detects an invalid key when the igni-
tion switch is turned to the ON position, it sends
messages to flash the VTSS indicator. The SKIM can
also send messages to flash the indicator to serve as
an indication to the customer that the SKIS has been
placed in its ªCustomer Learnº programming mode.
See Sentry Key Immobilizer System Transponder
Programming in this section for more information on
the ªCustomer Learnº programming mode.
For diagnosis or initialization of the SKIM and the
PCM, a DRBIIItscan tool and the proper Powertrain
Diagnostic Procedures manual are required. The
8Q - 2 VEHICLE THEFT SECURITYDR
VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY (Continued)

INSPECTION - WIPER & WASHER SYSTEM
WIPER SYSTEM
The wiper blades and wiper arms should be
inspected periodically, not just when wiper perfor-
mance problems are experienced. This inspection
should include the following points:
(1) Inspect the wiper arms for any indications of
damage, or contamination. If the wiper arms are con-
taminated with any foreign material, clean them as
required. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/WIPERS/
WASHERS - CLEANING). If a wiper arm is damaged
or corrosion is evident, replace the wiper arm with a
new unit. Do not attempt to repair a wiper arm that
is damaged or corroded.
(2) Carefully lift the wiper blade off of the glass.
Note the action of the wiper arm hinge. The wiper
arm should pivot freely at the hinge, but with no lat-
eral looseness evident. If there is any binding evident
in the wiper arm hinge, or there is evident lateral
play in the wiper arm hinge, replace the wiper arm.
CAUTION: Do not allow the wiper arm to spring
back against the glass without the wiper blade in
place or the glass may be damaged.
(3) Once proper hinge action of the wiper arm is
confirmed, check the hinge for proper spring tension.
Remove the wiper blade from the wiper arm. Either
place a small postal scale between the blade end of
the wiper arm and the glass, or carefully lift the
blade end of the arm away from the glass using a
small fish scale. Compare the scale readings between
the right and left wiper arms. Replace a wiper arm if
it has comparatively lower spring tension, as evi-
denced by a lower scale reading.
(4) Inspect the wiper blades and squeegees for any
indications of damage, contamination, or rubber dete-
rioration (Fig. 2). If the wiper blades or squeegees
are contaminated with any foreign material, clean
them and the glass as required. (Refer to 8 - ELEC-
TRICAL/WIPERS/WASHERS - CLEANING). After
cleaning the wiper blade and the glass, if the wiper
blade still fails to clear the glass without smearing,
streaking, chattering, hazing, or beading, replace the
wiper blade. Also, if a wiper blade is damaged or the
squeegee rubber is damaged or deteriorated, replace
the wiper blade with a new unit. Do not attempt to
repair a wiper blade that is damaged.
WASHER SYSTEM
The washer system components should be
inspected periodically, not just when washer perfor-
mance problems are experienced. This inspection
should include the following points:(1) Check for ice or other foreign material in the
washer reservoir. If contaminated, clean and flush
the washer system. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/WIP-
ERS/WASHERS - CLEANING).
(2) Inspect the washer plumbing for pinched, leak-
ing, deteriorated, or incorrectly routed hoses and
damaged or disconnected hose fittings. Replace dam-
aged or deteriorated hoses and hose fittings. Leaking
washer hoses can sometimes be repaired by cutting
the hose at the leak and splicing it back together
using an in-line connector fitting. Similarly, sections
of deteriorated hose can be cut out and replaced by
splicing in new sections of hose using in-line connec-
tor fittings. Whenever routing a washer hose or a
wire harness containing a washer hose, it must be
routed away from hot, sharp, or moving parts. Also,
sharp bends that might pinch the washer hose must
be avoided.CHECK VALVE
DESCRIPTION
A single washer system check valve is standard
equipment on this model, and is installed in the
Fig. 2 Wiper Blade Inspection
1 - WORN OR UNEVEN EDGES
2 - ROAD FILM OR FOREIGN MATERIAL DEPOSITS
3 - HARD, BRITTLE, OR CRACKED
4 - DEFORMED OR FATIGUED
5 - SPLIT
6 - DAMAGED SUPPORT COMPONENTS
DRWIPERS/WASHERS 8R - 7
WIPERS/WASHERS (Continued)