2001 DODGE TOWN AND COUNTRY key

EXTERIOR HANDLE SWITCH
DESCRIPTION
Vehicles equipped with a power liftgate or power
locks utilize a exterior handle switch. The exterior
handle switch is a electronic release switch mounted
to the rear license plate lamp housing assembly,
located just above the license plate. This switch con-
trols the power liftgate release function and is also
capable of reversing the power liftgate when it is in
motion. A full power open cycle cannot be performed
using this switch, only one of the power open com-
mand switches (key fob and overhead console
mounted) can be used to perform a full power open
cycle.
The exterior handle switch is a serviceable compo-
nent. Consult your MoparŸ parts catalog for a spe-
cific part number.
OPERATION
When the exterior handle switch is depressed, with
the liftgate in the closed position. A message is sent
to the Body Control Module (BCM). The Body Con-
trol Module then sends a signal to the power liftgate
control module via the J1850 PCI data bus circuit.
The power liftgate control module then sends a sig-
nal to the power latch mounted actuator, which
moves the liftgate from the primary closed and
latched position to the open and movable position. If
the liftgate is not pulled open once the latch releases
within a few seconds, the latch will cinch closed
again.
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect and isolate the negative battery
cable.
(2) Open the liftgate and remove the liftgate trim
panel. Refer to the Body section of the service man-
ual for the procedure.
(3) Remove the rear lamp bar assembly from the
vehicle. Refer to the Body section of the service man-
ual for the procedure.
(4) Locate the two wires going to the exterior han-
dle switch. Cut the tie strap and trace the wires to
the large electrical connector and back the wires out
of the large connector and through the grommet.
Refer to the Wiring section of the service manual for
detailed instructions.
(5) Depress the two exterior handle switch retain-
ing tabs and roll the switch out of the light bar
assembly (Fig. 14).
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the handle switch in the light bar
assembly.(2) Locate the two wires going to the exterior han-
dle switch. Install the wires through the grommet
and in the large connector. Secure with a tie strap.
Refer to the Wiring section of the service manual for
detailed instructions.
NOTE: Be certain wires are reinstalled in the correct
wire cavities. Failure to do so could result in dam-
age to the handle switch. Refer to Wiring Diagrams
if previous notes were not made.
(3) Install the rear light bar. Refer to the Body sec-
tion of the service manual for the procedure.
(4) Install the liftgate trim panel. Refer to the
Body section of the service manual for the procedure.
(5) Connect the negative battery cable.
(6) Using an appropriate scan tool, check any
erase any power liftgate control module diagnostic
trouble codes.
(7) Verify power liftgate system and handle switch
operation. Cycle the power liftgate through one com-
plete open and close cycle, this will allow the power
liftgate control module to relearn its cycle with the
new components.
Fig. 14 REAR LIGHT BAR
1 - CHIME / THERMISTOR
2 - ELECTRIC RELEASE HANDLE SWITCH
3 - LICENSE PLATE LAMPS
RSPOWER LIFTGATE SYSTEM8N-17
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POWER SLIDING DOOR SYSTEM
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
POWER SLIDING DOOR SYSTEM
DESCRIPTION...........................19
OPERATION.............................21
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING.................22
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - POWER
SLIDING DOOR SYSTEM.................22
STANDARD PROCEDURE..................28
WELLNUT REPLACEMENT...............28
POWER DOOR LEARN CYCLE............28
SLIDING DOOR ADJUSTMENT............28
LATCH
DESCRIPTION...........................29
OPERATION.............................29
REMOVAL..............................29
INSTALLATION...........................30
SLIDING DOOR MOTOR
DESCRIPTION...........................30
OPERATION.............................30
REMOVAL..............................31
INSTALLATION...........................31
FULL OPEN SWITCH
DESCRIPTION...........................31
OPERATION.............................31
LEFT B-PILLAR SWITCH
DESCRIPTION...........................32
OPERATION.............................32
REMOVAL..............................32INSTALLATION...........................32
RIGHT B-PILLAR SWITCH
DESCRIPTION...........................32
OPERATION.............................32
REMOVAL..............................32
INSTALLATION...........................32
LOWER DRIVE UNIT
DESCRIPTION...........................33
OPERATION.............................33
REMOVAL..............................33
INSTALLATION...........................34
LOWER DRIVE UNIT TRACK & RACK
DESCRIPTION...........................34
OPERATION.............................34
REMOVAL..............................34
INSTALLATION...........................35
WIRING HARNESS
DESCRIPTION...........................35
OPERATION.............................35
REMOVAL..............................35
INSTALLATION...........................36
FLEX DRIVE
DESCRIPTION...........................36
OPERATION.............................36
REMOVAL..............................37
INSTALLATION...........................38
POWER SLIDING DOOR
SYSTEM
DESCRIPTION
Some vehicles are equipped with a power opening
and closing sliding door system (Fig. 1). Depending
on how the vehicle is ordered it may be equipped
with only a right side power door or right and left
side power doors. This power sliding door system is a
complex system consisting of many components.
Some of these components are the door motor, latch
assembly, sliding door control module, lower drive
unit, flex drive assembly, wire harness and track,
lower drive unit track and rack assembly, full open
switch, B-pillar switch, overhead console switch, key
fob switches (Fig. 2), pawl switch, ratchet switch and
child lockout and handle switches.
Each power side door has its own door control mod-
ule, located in the center of the door behind the door
trim panel. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/ELEC-TRONIC CONTROL MODULES/DOOR CONTROL
MODULE - DESCRIPTION) The power side door
motor is located in the front portion of the door, on
the inner door panel sheet metal. The latch assembly
is located in the rear of the power side door, near the
body line. The lower drive unit is attached to the
lower door hinge. The flex drive assembly connects
the door motor to the lower drive unit. The wire har-
ness and track and the lower drive unit track are vis-
ible with the door open in the lower door sill area.
The power side door full open switch is located under
the lower drive unit and is part of the hold open
latch assembly. The pawl, ratchet, handle and child
lockout switches are all located on the power side
door latch assembly. The B-pillar switch, as it will be
referred to, is an open and close command switch
located on the vehicles interior body side B-pillar
trim. The overhead console switch, is an open and
close command switch located in the vehicle's over-
head console. More detailed information can be found
on these components later in this section.
RSPOWER SLIDING DOOR SYSTEM8N-19
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Safety is of the utmost concern with the power
sliding door system. Software technology has enabled
the power sliding door control module to detect resis-
tance to door travel. This allows the power sliding
door to stop and reverse direction any time an
obstruction is felt or any of the command switches
are operated (while closing only). Battery voltage is
supplied to the power sliding door system through a
40 amp fuse, located in the Intelligent Power Module
(IPM) assembly (Fig. 3). The child lockout switch pre-
vents children from opening or actuating the power
sliding door system when desired. In the unlikely
event that the power sliding door system develops a
fault, the power sliding door can still be operated
manually from the interior or exterior door handle,
just like a standard manual sliding door.
The power sliding door control module communi-
cates on the J1850 PCI Data Bus Circuit. Therefore,
the power sliding door control module can generate
and store its own diagnostic trouble codes (DTC). A
diagnostic scan tool, such as the DRB IIItis used to
read and diagnose these trouble codes. Refer to the
Body Diagnostic Manual for a complete list of diag-
nostic routines.
Fig. 1 POWER SLIDING DOOR INTRODUCTION
Fig. 2 KEY FOB
1 - LEFT SLIDING DOOR SWITCH
2 - RIGHT SLIDING DOOR SWITCH
3 - LIFTGATE SWITCH
8N - 20 POWER SLIDING DOOR SYSTEMRS
POWER SLIDING DOOR SYSTEM (Continued)
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NOTE: It may be possible to generate Sliding Door
Diagnostic Trouble Codes during normal power
sliding door operation. Refer to the Body Diagnos-
tic Manual for a complete list of diagnostic routines.
For additional information, (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-
CAL/POWER DOORS - OPERATION) . For a com-
plete power sliding door system wiring schematic,
refer to Wiring Diagrams. For power sliding door sys-
tem operation instructions, refer to the vehicle owner
manual.
WARNING: BE CERTAIN TO READ ALL WARNINGS
AND CAUTIONS IN POWER SLIDING DOOR OPER-
ATION BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY SERVICE OF
POWER SLIDING DOOR SYSTEM OR COMPO-
NENTS.
OPERATION
With the push of a power sliding door open/close
command switch (key fob, overhead console or B-pil-
lar mounted) a signal is sent out to the Body Control
Module (BCM). The BCM then sends a signal out on
the PCI Data Bus circuit (J1850) to the power sliding
door module. The power sliding door module then
signals the power sliding door latch to release the
door to the unlatched and movable position. The
motor then starts an open cycle.
During the door open cycle, if the power sliding
door module detects sufficient resistance to door
travel, such as an obstruction in the door's path, the
power sliding door module will immediately stop door
movement and reverse door travel to the full open orclosed position. The ability for the power sliding door
module to detect resistance to door travel is accom-
plished by hall effect sensors and the door motor
speed.
The power sliding door control module has the abil-
ity to learn. Anytime a door is opened or closed using
the power sliding door system the module learns
from its cycle. If a replacement power sliding door
component is installed or a door adjustment is made,
the module must re-learn the effort required to open
or close the door. A learn cycle can be performed with
a Diagnostic Scan Tool, such as the DRB IIIt, or with
a complete cycle of the door, using any one of the
command switches. Refer to Standard Procedures in
this section for detailed instructions.
The power sliding door system is designed with a
number of system inhibitors. These inhibitors are
necessary for safety and/or feasibility of the power
sliding door system. See the power sliding door sys-
tem inhibitors noted below:
POWER SLIDING DOOR SYSTEM INHIBITORS
²The power sliding door must be in thefullopen
or closed position in order for the power sliding door
system to start a cycle. If the door is not in this posi-
tion (based on the input from the full open, pawl or
ratchet switches) the door control module will not
respond to command switch inputs.
²The vehicles transmission must be inpark or
neutralin order for the power sliding door system to
start a cycle.
²The vehicles child lockout switch must be in the
ªUNLOCKEDº position in order for the power sliding
door systems B-pillar switches to function.
²If multiple obstacles are detected during the
same power open or close cycle the power sliding
door may go into full manual mode.
²If severe Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) are
stored in the power sliding door control module the
power sliding door may go into full manual mode.
²Due to the high pressure created in the passen-
ger compartment with the blower motor on high, the
power sliding door may not complete a power close
cycle unless a window is cracked, allowing the pres-
sure to escape. This situation will only be experi-
enced on some vehicles, or vehicles with brand new
side door weather seals installed. Refer to the Side
Door Adjustment procedure in the Standard Proce-
dures section of this group.
²The vehicles fuel tank filler door must be in the
closed position. Due to the sliding door interference
with the open fuel tank filler door, mechanical link-
age prevents the side door from opening and striking
the fuel door. Refer to the Body section of this man-
ual for detailed information on the fuel door lockout
feature.Fig. 3 POWER SIDE DOOR FUSE LOCATION
RSPOWER SLIDING DOOR SYSTEM8N-21
POWER SLIDING DOOR SYSTEM (Continued)
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CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
Striker damaged
Replace striker if necessary
Cables worn and stretched Replace cables as necessary
Binding or sticking of components Establish location of binding and replace
necessary components
Key fob, B-pillar or
overhead console switch
does not power operate
doorBlown Fuse Check fuse and replace
Battery voltage low Charge or replace battery
Failure of latch assembly Check for foreign matter preventing the
operation of latch assembly
Check wire connection
Pawl and/or ratchet switch inoperative
Replace latch if necessary
Wiring problems (system or vehicle) Troubleshoot using electrical schematics.
Refer to wiring diagrams
Failure of body control module Check electrical connections
Refer to the body diagnostic manual for
additional checks
Replace BCM if necessary
Failure of key fob Replace key fob battery
Replace key fob if necessary
Failure of sliding door control module Disconnect then reconnect battery to reset
module, function door, if no function exists
check for loose wire connections, see Body
Diagnostic Manual for detailed procedures
Failure of door motor assembly Check for foreign matter preventing the
operation of gear motor assembly
Check wire connections
Gear motor clutch does not engage,
replace assembly
Full open switch inoperative, replace hold
open latch assembly
Replace motor assembly. if necessary
Door does not stay open Failure of hold open latch assembly Check wire/cable connections
Replace hold open latch, if necessary
Failure of hold open latch striker Replace hold open latch striker, if
necessary
High inside/outside opening
effortFailure of latch assembly Check wire connections and for blown fuse
Check cable connections
8N - 26 POWER SLIDING DOOR SYSTEMRS
POWER SLIDING DOOR SYSTEM (Continued)
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POWER LOCKS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
POWER LOCKS
DESCRIPTION...........................39
OPERATION.............................40
DOOR LOCK MOTOR
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING.................41
DOOR LOCK MOTOR....................41
DOOR LOCK SWITCH
DESCRIPTION...........................41
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING.................41
DOOR LOCK SWITCH...................41
REMOVAL..............................42
INSTALLATION...........................42
KEYLESS ENTRY TRANSMITTER
STANDARD PROCEDURE..................42
HORN CHIRP PREFERENCE..............42BATTERY REPLACEMENT................42
SPECIFICATIONS........................42
REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY MODULE
DESCRIPTION...........................43
OPERATION.............................43
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING.................43
REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY...............43
STANDARD PROCEDURE..................43
PROGRAMMING RKE MODULE............43
REMOVAL..............................43
INSTALLATION...........................44
SLIDING DOOR LOCK MOTOR
REMOVAL..............................44
INSTALLATION...........................44
POWER LOCKS
DESCRIPTION
POWER DOOR LOCK SYSTEM
The front doors, sliding door(s) and liftgate are
equipped with actuator motors to lock or unlock the
latch mechanisms. The door lock actuator motor is
not serviced separately from the door latch, except
for the sliding door(s).
AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS
The vehicle comes with two options for power door
locks:
²Rolling automatic lock (ENABLE), doors auto-
matically lock at approximately at 25.7 Km/h (16
mph).
²No rolling automatic lock (DISABLE), doors do
not automatically lock when the vehicle is moving.
DOOR LOCK INHIBIT
The BCM cancels out the door lock switch actua-
tion, when the key is in the Ignition Switch and
either front door is open.
Pressing the key fob RKE lock/unlock under these
conditions results in normal lock/unlock activation.
CENTRAL LOCKING
If equipped with Vehicle Theft Security System
(VTSS), all the doors can be locked with the key by
using any of the door lock cylinders. Turning the key
to the lock position will lock all the doors. If a sliding
door is open when this is done, the sliding door will
lock when it is closed.
DOOR LOCK CIRCUIT PROTECTION
The door lock system is protected by a 40 amp fuse
located in the IPM. The BCM receives lock/unlock
input and will turn on the appropriate drivers and
provide a voltage level to the door lock motor for a
specific time. The IPM is located along the side of the
vehicle battery in the engine compartment.
RSPOWER LOCKS8N-39
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REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM
The key fob transmitter (Fig. 1) has six buttons.
Three of them, LOCK, UNLOCK, and PANIC, are used
to actuate parts of, and program the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) system via the customer programming
mode. It is not necessary to use the PANIC button with
the DRB IIItscan tool mode of programming.
OPERATION
POWER DOOR LOCK SYSTEM
The Body Control Module (BCM) locks or unlocks the
doors when an actuation input signal from a door lock
switch or Remote Keyless Entry Module (RKE) is
received. The BCM turns on the output drivers and pro-
vides a voltage level to the door lock motor for a speci-
fied time. The BCM locks the doors and liftgate
automatically when the vehicle is driven beyond the
speed of 25.7 Km/h (15 mph). The rolling door lock fea-
ture can be disabled if desired. All doors and liftgate
can be locked or unlocked using mechanical button or
key cylinder methods (Liftgate cylinder does not lock/
unlock vehicle. It only unlocks the liftgate).
AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS
The BCM is equipped with a disable feature to
stop the speed sensitive automatic door locks from
functioning. The DISABLE feature can be switchedON or OFF as desired. When the system is DIS-
ABLED the door locks will operate normally, but will
not lock automatically when the vehicle is rolling.
When the door locks are ENABLED the door locks
will automatically lock when the vehicle is moving at
about 25.7 Km/h (15 mph). All doors are closed, the
PCM has set the ªOK TO LOCKº bit, and doors were
not previously locked.
DOOR LOCK INHIBIT
If the key is in the ignition, in any position, and
either front door is ajar, all power door lock function-
ing shall be disabled when activating either door lock
switch. 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.
CENTRAL LOCKING
If equipped with Vehicle Theft Security System
(VTSS), all the doors can be locked with the key by
using any of the door lock cylinders. Turning the key
to the lock position will lock all the doors. If a sliding
door is open when this is done, the sliding door will
lock when it is closed.
Holding the key in the unlock position, in any door
lock cylinder, for less than one second will unlock the
individual door for that lock cylinder. If the key is
held in the unlock position for more than one second,
all the doors will unlock.
To central unlock all doors, a second transition
from OFF to UNLOCK has to occur within 2 seconds
of the first complete UNLOCK cycle.
DOOR LOCK CIRCUIT PROTECTION
The BCM controls the door lock output drivers. If
the door lock switch is actuated continuously for
more than one second the BCM will turn the output
driver OFF (the BCM would consider the switch
stuck). The lock motors are protected with Positive
Temperature Coefficient (PTC) device that prevents
motor burn out.
REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM
²LOCK: Pressing the LOCK button locks all
doors and sounds horn (chirp) and arm the Vehicle
Theft Security System. The chirp verifies that the
RKE receiver has sent a message to the BCM 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 will not arm until the
door is closed.
Fig. 1 KEY FOB
1 - LEFT SLIDING DOOR BUTTON
2 - RIGHT SLIDING DOOR BUTTON
3 - LIFTGATE SWITCH
8N - 40 POWER LOCKSRS
POWER LOCKS (Continued)
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²UNLOCK: Pressing the UNLOCK button once
will unlock the driver's side doors 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
and activate the illuminated entry system.
²LEFT SLIDING DOOR: Pressing the LEFT
SLIDING DOOR BUTTON opens/closes the left
power sliding door remotely.
²RIGHT SLIDING DOOR: Pressing the RIGHT
SLIDING DOOR BUTTON opens/closes the right
power sliding door remotely.
²LIFTGATE: Pressing the LIFTGATE BUTTON
opens/closes the liftgate remotely.
²PANIC: 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)
(VAC) in its memory even after vehicle power has
been interrupted.
NOTE: Additional features available to the customer
are described in the Vehicle Owners Manual.
The RKE system activates the optional memory
seat and mirror system, if equipped. Two primary
key fob transmitters can be programmed to actuate
memory seat and mirror setting 1 or 2. Two addi-
tional key fob transmitters can be added, but they
will not be able to operate the memory seat and mir-
ror system (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/POWER
SEATS - OPERATION) and (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-
CAL/POWER MIRRORS - OPERATION).
DOOR LOCK MOTOR
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - DOOR LOCK
MOTOR
Verify battery condition before testing door lock
motor(s) (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/BATTERY SYS-
TEM/BATTERY - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING).
To determine which motor is faulty, check each
individual door for electrical lock and unlock or dis-
connect the motor connectors one at a time, while
operating the door lock switch. In the event that
none of the motors work, the problem may be caused
by a shorted motor or a bad switch. Disconnecting
the defective motor will allow the others to work.
To test an individual door lock motor, disconnect
the electrical connector from the motor. To lock the
door, connect a 12 volt power source to the positivepin of the lock motor and a ground wire to the other
pin. Refer to the appropriate wiring information. The
wiring information includes wiring diagrams, proper
wire and connector repair procedures, further details
on wire harness routing and retention, as well as
pin-out and location views for the various wire har-
ness connectors, splices and grounds. To unlock the
door reverse the wire connections at the motor pin
terminals. If these results are NOT obtained, replace
the motor.
DOOR LOCK SWITCH
DESCRIPTION
The Power Door Lock Switch is attached to the
door trim panel with two screws.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - DOOR LOCK
SWITCH
(1) Remove door trim panel. Refer to Body, Door -
Front, Trim Panel, Removal and Installation.
(2) Disconnect wire connector from back of door
lock switch.
(3) Depress switch to LOCK position.
(4) Using an ohmmeter, test switch resistance
between Pins 2 and 3. Refer to the test and (Fig. 2).
(5) Depress switch to UNLOCK position.
(6) Test resistance between Pins 2 and 3.
(7) Test resistance between pins 2 and 3 while
switch is in its normal unactuated mode.
(8) If resistance values are not within the param-
eters shown replace the door lock switch.
DOOR LOCK SWITCH CONTINUITY
SWITCH
POSITIONCONTINUITY
BETWEENRESISTANCE
VALUE
LOCK 2 and 3 5.3K Ohm   5%
UNLOCK 2 and 3 2.0K Ohm   5%
UNACTUATED 2 and 3 18.3K Ohms  
5%
Fig. 2 DOOR LOCK SWITCH
RSPOWER LOCKS8N-41
POWER LOCKS (Continued)
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