2004 DODGE CARAVAN ignition

4. any door is opened (excluding liftgate) and
5. the vehicle speed is 0 mph (0 km/h).
The Auto Unlock feature can be enabled or disabled by
performing the procedure in the Overhead Console,
Customer Programmable Features section.
NOTE:Use the Auto Door Locks and Auto Unlock
features in accordance with local laws.
REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY Ð IF EQUIPPED
This system allows you to lock or unlock the doors and
liftgate, and activate the panic alarm, optional power
liftgate, left power sliding door, and right power sliding
door from distances up to about 23 feet (7 meters) using
a hand held radio transmitter. The transmitter need not
be pointed at the vehicle to activate the system.NOTE:If the key is in the ignition switch, then all
buttons on that transmitter will be disabled. The buttons
on the remaining transmitters will work. If the vehicle is
shifted out of PARK, all the transmitter buttons are
disabled for all keys.
Two (2) transmitters may be supplied with the vehicle.
Vehicles built without the powered options will be
equipped from the factory with three button transmitters
and those built with power options will be equipped
with six button transmitters.
Three button transmitters will provide basic UNLOCK,
LOCK and PANIC functions.
20 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

headlights and park lights will flash, the horn will pulse
on and off and the interior lights will turn on.
The panic alarm will stay on for 3 minutes unless you
turn it off by pressing the PANIC button a second time or
by turning the ignition switch to the ON position.
NOTE:When you turn off the panic alarm by pressing
the PANIC button a second time, you may have to be
closer to the vehicle due to the radio frequency noises of
the system.
To Program Transmitters:
Refer to SENTRY KEY ªCustomer Key Programming.º
If you do not have a programmed transmitter, contact
your dealer for details.
To Open/Close Power Liftgate Ð If Equipped
Press the LIFTGATE button twice within five seconds to
open/close the power liftgate. The liftgate will beep for 2seconds and then open/close. If the button is pushed
while the liftgate is being power closed, the liftgate will
reverse to the full open position.
If the liftgate is locked and is not equipped with a
powered liftgate, pressing the button will result in the
liftgate becoming unlocked for 30 seconds allowing you
to manually access the liftgate area.
To Open/Close Left Power Sliding Door Ð If
Equipped
Press the LEFT button twice within five seconds to
open/close the left power sliding door. If the button is
pushed while the door is being power closed, the door
will reverse to the full open position.
If the vehicle is not equipped with a left power sliding
door and the door is closed and locked, pressing the
button will result in the left side doors becoming un-
locked.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 23
2

2. Remove and replace the batteries. Avoid touching the
new batteries with your fingers. Skin oils may cause
battery deterioration. If you touch a battery, clean it with
rubbing alcohol.
3. To reassemble the transmitter case snap two halves
together. Make sure there is an even ªgapº between the
two halves. Test transmitter operation.
VEHICLE THEFT ALARM Ð IF EQUIPPED
This system monitors the vehicle doors and ignition
switch for unauthorized entry or operation. When the
alarm is activated, the system provides both audible and
visual signals. The horn will pulse, headlights/park
lights will flash, the Vehicle Theft Alarm/Immobilizer
light, located in the instrument cluster, will flash, and the
vehicle will not start. If the alarm is triggered and no
action is taken to disarm it, the system will turn off the
horn after three minutes and after 15 minutes of light
only operation the system will then rearm itself.To arm the system:Remove the key from the ignition
switch and either:
1. Press a power door lock button while the driver's or
passenger's door is open.
2. Press the LOCK button on the keyless entry transmit-
ter.
After the last door is closed, or if all doors are closed, the
system will arm itself in about 16 seconds. During that
time, the Vehicle Theft Alarm/Immobilizer light will
flash. If it does not illuminate, the system is not arming.
If you open a door during this arming period, the system
will cancel the arming process. You must repeat one of
the previously described arming sequences to rearm the
system.
To disarm the system:Press the UNLOCK button on the
keyless entry transmitter. Also, using a valid sentry key
26 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

and moving the ignition switch to the ON/START posi-
tion will disarm the system. If you disarm the system and
access the liftgate area, the system must be rearmed, as
described previously, when closing the liftgate. If some-
thing has triggered the system in your absence, the horn
will sound three times when you disarm the system.
Check the vehicle for tampering.
NOTE:
²The driver's door and liftgate key cylinders cannot
arm or disarm the system.
²Once the alarm is set, and the liftgate button on the
keyless entry transmitter is pressed, on a non-power
liftgate vehicle, you have a 30 second one time access
into the liftgate area. If the liftgate is not opened within
30 seconds the liftgate will remain locked.
²The system remains armed during liftgate entry, press-
ing the liftgate button will not disarm the system, if
someone enters the vehicle through the liftgate and
opens any door the alarm will sound.
²When the system is armed, the doors can not be
unlocked from the interior power door lock switches.
The Vehicle Theft Alarm system is designed to protect
your vehicle, however, you can create conditions where
the system will give you a false alarm. If one of the
previously described arming sequences has occurred, the
system will arm regardless of whether you are in the
vehicle or not. If you remain in the vehicle and open a
door, the alarm will sound. If this occurs, disarm the
system.
The alarm system will be activated when the battery is
connected if the system was previously armed. The
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 27
2

exterior lights will flash, the horn will sound, and the
ignition will not start the vehicle. If this occurs, disarm
the system.
SLIDING SIDE DOOR
The sliding door may be opened from the inside or the
outside. Pull out on the outside handle to open the
sliding door from the outside. To open the sliding door
from the inside, press the button on the grab handle and
open the door.
To keep your door operating properly, observe the fol-
lowing guidelines:
²Always open the door smoothly.
28 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Power Windows Ð If Equipped
You can control either front window using switches on
the driver's door trim panel. There is a single switch on
the passenger's door trim panel which operates the
passenger door window. The switches will operate only
when the ignition switch is in the ON or ACCESSORY
position.
Auto Down Feature Ð If Equipped
The driver's window switch has an auto down feature.
Press the window switch past the detent, release, and the
window will go down automatically.
To open the window part way, press the window switch
part way and release it when you want the window to
stop.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 37
2

The power window switches remain active for up to 45
seconds after the ignition switch has been turned off.
Opening a vehicle front door will cancel this feature.
Wind Buffeting
Wind buffeting can be described as the perception of
pressure on the ears or a helicopter type sound in the
ears. Your vehicle may exhibit wind buffeting with the
windows down, or the sunroof (if equipped) in certain
open or partially open positions. This is a normal occur-
rence and can be minimized. If the buffeting occurs with
the rear windows open, open the front and rear windows
together to minimize the buffeting. If the buffeting occurs
with the sunroof open, adjust the sunroof opening to
minimize the buffeting.
OCCUPANT RESTRAINTS
Some of the most important safety features in your
vehicle are the restraint systems. These include the front
and rear seat belts for the driver and all passengers, front
airbags for both the driver and front passenger and if
equipped, side airbags for both the driver and front
passenger. If you will be carrying children too small for
adult-size seat belts, your seat belts or the LATCH feature
(Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren) also, can be
used to hold infant and child restraint systems.
Please pay close attention to the information in this
section. It tells you how to use your restraint system
properly to keep you and your passengers as safe as
possible.
38 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

How The Front Airbag System Works
²
Thefrontairbag control module determines if a frontal
impact is severe enough to require the front airbags to
inflate. Based on the level of collision severity, the front
airbag control module determines the proper rate of
inflation. The front airbag inflators are designed to
provide different rates of airbag inflation. The front
airbag control module will not detect roll over, or rear
collisions.
The front airbag control module also monitors the
readiness of the electronic parts of the system when-
ever the ignition switch is in the START or ON
positions. These include all of the items listed above
except the knee bolster, instrument panel and the
steering wheel and column. If the key is in the OFF
position, in the ACC position, or not in the ignition
switch, the front airbags are not on and will not inflate.The front airbag control module sends a
message to the instrument cluster to turn on
the AIRBAG light in the instrument panel
for 6 to 8 seconds when the ignition switch is
first turned ON, then turns the light off. If the front
control module detects a malfunction in any part of the
system, the airbag light will turn on either momen-
tarily or continuously.
WARNING!
Ignoring the AIRBAG light in your instrument panel
could mean you won't have the airbags to protect
you in a collision. If the light does not come on, stays
on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes on as you
drive, have the airbag system checked right away.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
2