DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - SENTRY KEY
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE
ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING
COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT
DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISO-
LATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE,THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYS-
TEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PER-
FORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS
IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG
SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRE-
CAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIR-
BAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL
INJURY.
SENTRY KEY IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
SKIS INDICATOR FAILS TO
LIGHT DURING BULB TEST1. Bulb faulty. 1. Perform the instrument cluster actuator test.
(Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING -
ACTUATOR TEST). Replace the faulty bulb, if
required.
2. Fuse faulty. 2. Check the SKIM fused B(+) fuse and the fused
ignition switch output (st-run) fuse in the JB.
Replace fuses, if required.
3. Ground path faulty. 3. Check for continuity to ground at the connector
for the SKIM. Repair wiring, if required.
4. Battery feed faulty. 4. Check for battery current at the connector for
the SKIM. Repair wiring, if required.
5. Ignition feed faulty. 5. Check for battery current at the connector for
the SKIM with the ignition switch in the On
position. Repair wiring, if required.
SKIS INDICATOR FLASHES
FOLLOWING BULB TEST1. Invalid key in ignition
switch lock cylinder.1. Replace the key with a known valid key.
2. Key-related fault. 2. Use a DRBIIITscan tool and the appropriate
diagnostic information for further diagnosis.
SKIS INDICATOR LIGHTS
SOLID FOLLOWING BULB
TEST1. SKIS system malfunction/
fault detected.1. Use a DRBIIITscan tool and the appropriate
diagnostic information for further diagnosis.
2. SKIS system inoperative. 2. Use a DRBIIITscan tool and the appropriate
diagnostic information for further diagnosis.
SKIS INDICATOR FAILS TO LIGHT DURING BULB TEST
If the Sentry Key Immobilizer System (SKIS) indi-
cator in the instrument cluster fails to illuminate for
about three seconds after the ignition switch is
turned to the On position (bulb test), perform the
instrument cluster actuator test. (Refer to 8 - ELEC-
TRICAL/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - DIAGNOSIS
AND TESTING - ACTUATOR TEST). If the bulb
fails to operate during the actuator test, replace the
bulb. If the SKIS indicator still fails to light during
the bulb test, a wiring problem resulting in the loss
of battery current or ground to the Sentry Key Immo-
bilizer Module (SKIM) should be suspected, and thefollowing procedure should be used for diagnosis.
Refer to the appropriate wiring information.
NOTE: The following tests may not prove conclu-
sive in the diagnosis of this system. The most reli-
able, efficient, and accurate means to diagnose the
Sentry Key Immobilizer System requires the use of
a DRBIIITscan tool. Refer to the appropriate diag-
nostic information.
(1) Check the fused B(+) fuse in the Junction
Block (JB). If OK, go to Step 2. If not OK, repair the
shorted circuit or component and replace the faulty
fuse.
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VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY (Continued)
(2) Check for battery voltage at the fused B(+) fuse
in the JB. If OK, go to Step 3. If not OK, repair the
open B(+) circuit between the JB fuse and the Power
Distribution Center (PDC).
(3) Check the fused ignition switch output (st-run)
fuse in the JB. If OK, go to Step 4. If not OK, repair
the shorted circuit or component and replace the
faulty fuse.
(4) Turn the ignition switch to the On position.
Check for battery voltage at the fused ignition switch
output (st-run) fuse in the JB. If OK, go to Step 5. If
not OK, repair the open fused ignition switch output
(st-run) circuit between the JB fuse and the ignition
switch as required.
(5) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable. Disconnect the instrument panel wire harness
connector for the Sentry Key Immobilizer Module
(SKIM) from the SKIM connector. Check for continu-
ity between the ground circuit of the instrument
panel wire harness connector for the SKIM and a
good ground. There should be continuity. If OK, go to
Step 6. If not OK, repair the open ground circuit.
(6) Reconnect the battery negative cable. Check for
battery voltage at the fused B(+) circuit cavity of the
instrument panel wire harness connector for the
SKIM. If OK, go to Step 7. If not OK, repair the open
fused B(+) circuit between the SKIM and the JB
fuse.
(7) Turn the ignition switch to the On position.
Check for battery voltage at the fused ignition switch
output (st-run) circuit of the instrument panel wire
harness connector for the SKIM. If OK, refer to the
appropriate diagnostic information and use a
DRBIIItscan tool to complete the diagnosis of the
SKIS. If not OK, repair the open fused ignition
switch output (st-run) circuit between the SKIM and
the JB fuse.
SKIS INDICATOR FLASHES OR LIGHTS SOLID FOLLOWING
BULB TEST
A SKIS indicator that flashes following a successful
bulb test indicates that an invalid key has been
detected, or that a key-related fault has been set. A
SKIS indicator that lights solid following a successful
bulb test indicates that the SKIM has detected a sys-
tem malfunction or that the SKIS is inoperative. In
either case, fault information will be stored in the
SKIM memory. For retrieval of this fault information
and further diagnosis of the SKIS, the PCI data bus,
the SKIM message outputs to the instrument cluster,
the SKIM message outputs to the Body Control Mod-
ule (BCM), or the message inputs and outputs
between the SKIM and the Powertrain Control Mod-
ule (PCM), a DRBIIItscan tool and the appropriate
diagnostic information are required. Following are
preliminary troubleshooting guidelines to be followed
during diagnosis using a DRBIIItscan tool:(1) Using the DRBIIItscan tool, read and record
the faults as they exist in the SKIM when you first
begin your diagnosis of the vehicle. It is important to
document these faults because the SKIM does not
differentiate between historical and active faults. If
this problem turns out to be an intermittent condi-
tion, this information may become invaluable to your
diagnosis.
(2) Using the DRBIIItscan tool, erase all of the
faults from the SKIM.
(3) Cycle the ignition switch to the Off position,
then back to the On position.
(4) Using the DRBIIItscan tool, read any faults
that are now present in the SKIM. These are the
active faults.
(5) Using this active fault information, refer to the
proper procedure in the appropriate diagnostic infor-
mation for the additional specific diagnostic steps.
STANDARD PROCEDURE
STANDARD PROCEDURE - SKIS
INITIALIZATION
The Sentry Key Immobilizer System (SKIS) must
be initialized following a Sentry Key Immobilizer
Module (SKIM) replacement. SKIS initialization
requires the use of a DRBIIItscan tool. Initialization
will also require that you have access to the unique
four-digit PIN code that was assigned to the original
SKIM. The PIN codemustbe used to enter the
Secured Access Mode in the SKIM. This PIN number
may be obtained from the vehicle owner, from the
original vehicle invoice, or from the DaimlerChrysler
Customer Center. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/ELEC-
TRONIC CONTROL MODULES - STANDARD PRO-
CEDURE - PCM/SKIM PROGRAMMING).
NOTE: If a Powertrain Control Module (PCM) is
replaced on a vehicle equipped with the Sentry Key
Immobilizer System (SKIS), the unique Secret Key
data must be transferred from the Sentry Key
Immobilizer Module (SKIM) to the new PCM using
the PCM replacement procedure. This procedure
also requires the use of a DRBIIITscan tool and the
unique four-digit PIN code to enter the Secured
Access Mode in the SKIM. Refer to the appropriate
diagnostic information for the proper PCM replace-
ment procedures.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - SENTRY KEY
TRANSPONDER PROGRAMMING
All Sentry Keys included with the vehicle are pre-
programmed to work with the Sentry Key Immobi-
lizer System (SKIS) when it is shipped from the
8Q - 6 VEHICLE THEFT SECURITYWJ
VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY (Continued)
cluster circuitry that controls the lamp, (Refer to 8 -
ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - DIAGNO-
SIS AND TESTING). If the instrument cluster turns
on the SKIS indicator lamp after the bulb test, either
solid or flashing, it indicates that a SKIS malfunction
has occurred or that the SKIS is inoperative. For
proper diagnosis of the SKIS, the PCI data bus, or
the message inputs to the instrument cluster that
control the SKIS indicator lamp, a DRBIIItscan tool
and the appropriate diagnostic information are
required.
TRANSPONDER KEY
DESCRIPTION
Each ignition key used in the Sentry Key Immobi-
lizer System (SKIS) has an integral transponder chip
(Fig. 10). Ignition keys with this feature can be
readily identified by a gray rubber cap molded onto
the head of the key, while conventional ignition keys
have a black molded rubber cap. The transponder
chip is concealed beneath the molded rubber cap,
where it is molded into the head of the metal key.
Each new Sentry Key has a unique transponder iden-
tification code permanently programmed into it by
the manufacturer. The Sentry Key transponder if
faulty or damaged, must be replaced.
OPERATION
When the ignition switch is turned to the On posi-
tion, the Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM)communicates through its antenna with the Sentry
Key transponder using a Radio Frequency (RF) sig-
nal. The SKIM then waits for a RF response from the
transponder through the same antenna. The Sentry
Key transponder chip is within the range of the
SKIM transceiver antenna ring when it is inserted
into the ignition lock cylinder. The SKIM determines
whether a valid key is present in the ignition lock
cylinder based upon the response from the transpon-
der. If a valid key is detected, that fact is communi-
cated by the SKIM to the Powertrain Control Module
(PCM) over the Programmable Communications
Interface (PCI) data bus, and the PCM allows the
engine to continue running. If the PCM receives an
invalid key message, or receives no message from the
SKIM over the PCI data bus, the engine will be dis-
abled after about two seconds of operation. The Elec-
troMechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC) will also
respond to the invalid key message on the PCI data
bus by flashing the SKIS indicator on and off.
Each Sentry Key has a unique transponder identi-
fication code permanently programmed into it by the
manufacturer. Likewise, the SKIM has a unique
Secret Key code programmed into it by the manufac-
turer. When a Sentry Key is programmed into the
memory of the SKIM, the SKIM stores the transpon-
der identification code from the Sentry Key, and the
Sentry Key learns the Secret Key code from the
SKIM. Once the Sentry Key learns the Secret Key
code of the SKIM, it is permanently stored in the
memory of the transponder. Therefore, once a Sentry
Key has been programmed to a particular vehicle, it
cannot be used on any other vehicle. (Refer to 8 -
ELECTRICAL/VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY -
STANDARD PROCEDURE - TRANSPONDER PRO-
GRAMMING).
VTSS INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION
The Vehicle Theft Security System (VTSS) indica-
tor consists of a red Light-Emitting Diode that is
mounted and integral to the automatic headlamp
light sensor photo diode unit, which is located on the
top of the instrument panel. The remainder of the
housing including the mount and the electrical con-
nection are concealed beneath the instrument panel
top cover.
The VTSS indicator cannot be adjusted or repaired
the entire automatic headlamp light sensor/VTSS
indicator must be replaced. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-
CAL/LAMPS/LIGHTING - EXTERIOR/AUTO HEAD-
LAMP SENSOR - REMOVAL).
Fig. 10 Sentry Key Immobilizer Transponder
1 - MOLDED CAP
2 - TRANSPONDER CHIP
3 - MOLDED CAP REMOVED
4 - TRANSPONDER KEY
WJVEHICLE THEFT SECURITY 8Q - 15
SKIS INDICATOR LAMP (Continued)