2004 DODGE DAKOTA ignition

REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY Ð IF EQUIPPED
This system allows you to lock or unlock the doors 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.
To unlock the doors (four door vehicles):
Press and release the UNLOCK button on the key fob
once to unlock only the driver's door or twice to unlock
all the doors. When the UNLOCK button is pressed, theilluminated entry will initiate, the parking lights will
flash on twice and if installed, the cargo lamp will turn on
for 30 seconds.
The system can be programmed to unlock all the doors
upon the first UNLOCK button press by using the
following procedure:
1. Enter your vehicle and close all doors.
2. Fasten your seat belt. (Fastening the seat belt will
cancel any chiming that may confuse you during this
programming procedure).
3. Place the key into the ignition.
4. Within 10 seconds cycle the key from the OFF position
to the ON position four times; ending in the ON position
(Do not start the engine).
5. Within 30 seconds, press the driver's door lock switch
in the UNLOCK direction.
6. A single chime will be heard to indicate the feature has
been disabled.
7. To reactivate this feature, repeat the above steps.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 17
2

8. If a chime is not heard, program mode was canceled
before the feature could be disabled. If necessary, repeat
the above procedure.
NOTE:All two-door vehicles will be shipped from the
assembly plant with this feature disabled. If this feature is
enabled on a two door vehicle, a single UNLOCK button
press will initiate the illuminated entry only - none of the
doors will unlock. If the UNLOCK button is pressed a
second time within 4 seconds of the first, all doors will
unlock.
To lock the doors:
Press and release the LOCK button on the transmitter to
lock all doors. If the ignition is OFF, when the doors are
locked, the parking lights will flash on once and the horn
will chirp once.
The horn chirp feature will be shipped from the assembly
plants activated. If desired this feature can be disabled by
using the following procedure:
1. Enter your vehicle and close all doors.2. Fasten your seat belt (Fastening the seat belt will
cancel any chiming that may confuse you during this
programming procedure).
3. Place the key into the ignition.
4. Turn the ignition to the ON position (Do not start the
engine).
5. Press and hold the LOCK button on the key fob.
6. After holding the LOCK button for four seconds, also
press the PANIC button within 6 seconds.
7. When a single chime is heard, release both buttons.
8. Turn the ignition OFF to test the horn chirp feature.
9. To reactivate this feature, repeat the above steps.
10. If a chime is not heard, program mode was canceled
before the feature could be disabled. If necessary, repeat
the above procedure.
18 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Using the Panic Alarm
To activate the Panic mode while the ignition is OFF press
and release the PANIC button on the transmitter once.
When the Panic mode is activated, the interior lights will
illuminate, the headlamps and parking lights will flash,
and the horn will sound.
To cancel the Panic mode press and release the PANIC
button on the transmitter a second time. Panic mode will
automatically cancel after 3 minutes or if the vehicle is
started and exceeds 15 mph (24 km/h). During the Panic
Mode, the door locks and remote keyless entry systems
will function normally. Panic mode will not disarm the
security system on vehicles so equipped.
Programming Additional Transmitters
Vehicles with the keyless entry option will be shipped
from the assembly plants with two key fob transmitters
programmed only for that vehicle. A total of four fobs can
be programmed for your vehicle. Additional fobs can be
programmed to your vehicle through the use of a cur-
rently programmed fob.
NOTE:When entering program mode using that fob,
all other programmed fobs will be erased and you will
have to reprogram them for your vehicle.
Use the Following procedure to program additional key
fobs:
1. Enter your vehicle and close all doors.
2. Fasten your seat belt (Fastening the seatbelt will cancel
any chiming that may confuse you during this program-
ming procedure).
3. Place the key into the ignition.
4. Turn the ignition to the ON position (Do not start the
engine).
5. Press and hold the UNLOCK button on the key fob.
6. After holding the UNLOCK button for four seconds,
also press the PANIC button within 6 seconds.
7. Release both buttons and a single chime will be heard.
The chime is an indication that you have successfully
entered program mode. All fobs that are to be pro-
grammed must be done so within 30 seconds of when the
chime was heard.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 19
2

Transmitter Battery Service
The recommended replacement battery is 2016.
NOTE:Do not touch the battery terminals that are on
the back housing or the printed circuit board.
1. With transmitter buttons facing down, use a flat blade
or dime to pry the two halves of the transmitter apart.
Make sure not to damage the rubber gasket during
removal.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 the two halves
together. Make sure there is an even gap between the two
halves. Test transmitter operation.
SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM Ð IF EQUIPPED
This system monitors the vehicle doors and ignition for
unauthorized operation. When the alarm is activated, the
system provides both audible and visual signals. The
horn will sound repeatedly for 3 minutes and the head-
lights and security light in the instrument cluster will
flash for an additional 15 minutes. The engine will not
run until the system is disarmed.
To Set the Alarm:
The alarm will set when you use the power door locks,
turn the key in the door lock cylinder, or use the Keyless
Entry transmitter to lock the doors. After all the doors are
locked and closed the SECURITY light in the instrument
cluster will flash rapidly to signal that the system is
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 21
2

The control on the left front door panel has up-down
switches that give you fingertip control of all power
windows. There is a single opening and closing switch on
the front passenger door for passenger window control
and on the rear doors of Quad Cab models. The windows
will operate only when the ignition switch is turned to
the ON position.
Auto Down
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.
Window Lockout Switch
The window lockout switch on the driver's door allows
you to disable the window control on the other doors. To
disable the window controls on the other doors, press the
window lock button. To enable the window controls,
press the window control button again.
Sliding Rear WindowÐIf Equipped
A locking device in the center of the window helps to
prevent entry from the rear of the vehicle. Squeeze the
lock to release the window.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 23
2

²The airbag control module also monitors the readiness
of the electronic parts of the system whenever the
ignition switch is in the START or RUN positions.
These include all of the items listed above except the
knee bolsters, the instrument panel, and the steering
wheel and column If the key is in the9off9position, in
the ACC position, or not in the ignition, the airbags are
not on and will not inflate
²The airbag control module also turns on the AIRBAG
light in the instrument panel for 6 to 8 seconds when
the ignition is first turned on, then turns the light off.
If it detects a malfunction in any part of the system, it
turns on the light either momentarily 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.
²When the airbag control module detects a collision
requiring the airbags, it signals the inflator units. A
large quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to inflate
the airbags. The airbag covers separate and fold out of
the way as the airbags inflate to their full size. The
airbags fully inflate in milliseconds. This is only about
half of the time it takes you to blink your eyes. The
airbags then quickly deflate while helping to restrain
the driver and front passenger. The driver's front
airbag gas is vented through the airbag material
towards the instrument panel. The passenger's front
airbag gas is vented through vent holes in the sides of
the airbag. In this way the airbags do not interfere with
your control of the vehicle.
²The knee impact bolsters help protect the knees and
position you for the best interaction with the front
airbag.
Passenger Airbag On/Off Switch ± If Equipped
The passenger front airbag is to be turned off only if the
passenger:
²is an infant (less than 1 year old) who must ride in the
front seat because there is no rear seat, because the rear
34 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

seat is too small for a rear-facing infant restraint or
because the infant has a medical condition which
makes it necessary for the driver to be able to see the
infant,
²is a child, age 1 to 12 who must ride in the front seat
because there is no rear seat, because there is no rear
seat position available, or because the child has a
medical condition which makes it necessary for the
driver to be able to see the child,
²has a medical condition which makes passenger airbag
inflation (deployment) a greater risk for the passenger
than the risk of hitting the dashboard (instrument
panel) or windshield in a crash.
WARNING!
Whenever an airbag is turned off, even a lap/
shoulder belted passenger may hit their head, neck,
or chest on the dashboard (instrument panel) or
windshield in a crash. This may result in serious
injury or death.
NOTE:The Passenger Airbag On/Off Switch is not
available in the Quad Cab.
To Shut Off the Passenger Airbag
Place the ignition key in the Passenger Airbag On/Off
Switch, push the key in and turn clockwise, and remove
the key from the switch. This will shut off the passenger
side airbag. The ªOffº light near the switch will illumi-
nate when the ignition switch is turned to the ON
position.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 35
2

To Turn On the Passenger Airbag
Place the ignition key in the Passenger Airbag On/Off
Switch, push the key in and turn counterclockwise, and
remove the key from the switch. This will turn on the
passenger airbag. The ªOffº light near the switch will be
off when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position.
If A Deployment Occurs
The airbag system is designed to deploy when the air bag
control module detects a moderate-to-severe frontal col-
lision, and then immediately to deflate.
NOTE:A frontal collision that is not severe enough to
need airbag protection will not activate the system. This
does not mean something is wrong with the airbag
system.
If you do have a collision which deploys the airbags, any
or all of the following may occur:
²The nylon airbag material may sometimes cause abra-
sions and/or skin reddening to the driver and front
passenger as the airbags deploy and unfold. The
abrasions are similar to friction rope burns or those
you might get sliding along a carpet or gymnasiumfloor. They are not caused by contact with chemicals.
They are not permanent and normally heal quickly.
However, if you haven't healed significantly within a
few days, or if you have any blistering, see your doctor
immediately.
²As the airbags deflate you may see some smoke-like
particles. The particles are a normal by-product of the
process that generates the nontoxic gas used for airbag
inflation. These airborne particles may irritate the skin,
eyes, nose, or throat. If you have skin or eye irritation,
rinse the area with cool water. For nose or throat
irritation, move to fresh air. If the irritation continues,
see your doctor. If these particles settle on your
clothing, follow the garment manufacturers instruc-
tions for cleaning.
²It is not advisable to drive your vehicle after the
airbags have deployed. If you are involved in another
collision, the airbags will not be in place to protect you.
36 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE