2008 DODGE AVENGER ECU

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE CONTENTS m A Word About Your Keys ..................12
N Ignition Key Removal ...................12
N Key-In-Ignition Reminder ................14
N Locking Doors With The Key ..............14
m Sentry Key t ...........................14
N Replacement Keys ......................16
N Customer Key Programming ..............16
N General Information ....................17
m Security Alarm System Ð If Equipped .........18 N Rearming The System ...................18
N To Arm The System .....................18
N To Disarm The System ...................19
m Illuminated Entry System Ð If Equipped .......20
m Remote Keyless Entry Ð If Equipped .........21
N To Unlock The Doors ...................22
N To Lock The Doors .....................24
N To Unlatch The Trunk ...................252

the vehicle. The system will shut the engine off in two
seconds if someone uses an invalid key to try to start the
engine.
NOTE: A key that has not been programmed is also
considered an invalid key, even if it is cut to fit the
ignition switch lock cylinder for that vehicle.
During normal operation, after turning on the ignition
switch, the Vehicle Security Light will turn on for three
seconds for a bulb check. If the light remains on after the
bulb check, it indicates that there is a problem with the
electronics. In addition, if the light begins to flash after
the bulb check, it indicates that someone used an invalid
key to try to start the engine. Either of these conditions
will result in the engine being shut off after two seconds.
If the Vehicle Security Light turns on during normal
vehicle operation (vehicle running for longer than 10 seconds), it indicates that there is a fault in the electron-
ics. Should this occur, have the vehicle serviced as soon
as possible.
NOTE:
² The Sentry Key t Immobilizer System is not compat-
ible with some aftermarket remote starting systems.
Use of these systems may result in vehicle starting
problems and loss of security protection.
² Exxon/Mobil SpeedpassŸ, additional Sentry Keys t ,
or any other transponder-equipped components on
the same key chain will not cause a key-related
(transponder) fault unless the additional part is physi-
cally held against the ignition key being used when
starting the vehicle. Cell phones, pagers, or other RF
electronics will not cause interference with this system.
All of the keys provided with your new vehicle have
been programmed to the vehicle electronics. THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 15
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Replacement Keys
NOTE: Only keys that are programmed to the vehicle
electronics can be used to start and operate the vehicle.
Once a Sentry Key t is programmed to a vehicle, it cannot
be programmed to any other vehicle.
CAUTION!Always remove the Sentry Keys t from the vehicle
and lock all doors when leaving the vehicle
unattended.
At the time of purchase, the original owner is provided
with a four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN).
Keep the PIN in a secure location. This number is
required for authorized dealer replacement of keys. Du-
plication of keys may be performed at an authorized
dealer or by following the customer key programming procedure. This procedure consists of programming a
blank key to the vehicle electronics. A blank key is one
that has never been programmed.
NOTE: When having the Sentry Key t Immobilizer
System serviced, bring all vehicle keys with you to an
authorized dealer.
Customer Key Programming
If you have two valid Sentry Keys t , you can program
new Sentry Keys t to the system by performing the
following procedure:
1. Cut the additional Sentry Key t Transponder blank(s)
to match the ignition switch lock cylinder key code.
2. Insert the first valid key into the ignition switch. Turn
the ignition switch to the ON position for at least three
seconds, but no longer than 15 seconds. Then, turn the
ignition switch to the LOCK position and remove the first
key.16 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

3. Insert the second valid key into the ignition switch.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON position within 15
seconds. After 10 seconds, a chime will sound. In addi-
tion, the Vehicle Security Light will begin to flash. Turn
the ignition switch to the LOCK position and remove the
second key.
4. Insert a blank Sentry Key t into the ignition switch.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON position within 60
seconds. After 10 seconds, a single chime will sound. In
addition, the Vehicle Security Light will stop flashing. To
indicate that programming is complete, the Vehicle Secu-
rity Light will turn on again for three seconds and then
turn off.
The new Sentry Key t is programmed. The Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter will also be pro-
grammed during this procedure. Repeat this procedure to program up to eight keys. If you
do not have a programmed Sentry Key t , contact your
authorized dealer for details.
NOTE: If a programmed key is lost, see your authorized
dealer to have all remaining keys erased from the sys-
tem's memory. This will prevent the lost key from
starting your vehicle. The remaining keys must then be
reprogrammed. All vehicle keys must be taken to an
authorized dealer at the time of service to be repro-
grammed.
General Information
The Sentry Key t system complies with FCC rules Part 15
and with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following conditions:
² This device may not cause harmful interference. THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 17
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² This device must accept any interference that may be
received, including interference that may cause undes-
ired operation.
SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM Ð IF EQUIPPED
The Vehicle Security Alarm (VSA) system monitors the
doors and trunk for unauthorized entry and ignition
switch for unauthorized operation.
If something triggers the alarm, the system will signal for
about 18 minutes. For the first 3 minutes, the horn will
sound intermittently and the headlights, park lights,
taillights and the Vehicle Security Light in the cluster will
flash. Then the exterior lights will flash for another 15
minutes. REARMING THE SYSTEM:
If something triggers the alarm, and no action is taken to
disarm it, the system will turn off the horn after 3
minutes, turn off all of the visual signals after 15 minutes,
and then the system will rearm itself.
TO ARM THE SYSTEM:
1. Remove the keys from the ignition switch and get out
of the vehicle.
2. Lock the door using either the power door lock switch
or the Keyless Entry Transmitter, and close all doors.
3. The Vehicle Security Light in the instrument cluster
will flash rapidly for approximately 16 seconds. This
shows that the system is arming. During this period, if a
door is opened, the ignition switch is turned ON, or the
power door locks are unlocked in any manner, the system18 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

will automatically disarm. After 16 seconds, the Vehicle
Security Light will flash slowly. This shows that the
system is fully armed.
NOTE:
² During the 16 second arming period, if a door is
opened or the ignition switch is turned ON, the system
will automatically disarm.
² Once armed, the system disables the unlock switch on
the driver door trim panel and passenger door trim
panel, the trunk release button on the instrument
panel, and the HomeLink t /Garage Door Opener (if
equipped).
TO DISARM THE SYSTEM
Either press the UNLOCK button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter or insert a valid sentry key into the
ignition lock cylinder and turn the key to the ON/START
position. NOTE:
² The driver's door key cylinder and the trunk button on
the keyless entry transmitter cannot arm or disarm the
system.
² The system remains armed during trunk entry. Press-
ing the trunk button will not disarm the system. If
someone enters the vehicle through the trunk and
opens any door, the alarm will sound.
² When the system is armed, the interior power door
lock switches will not unlock the doors.
The Vehicle Security 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. THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 19
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TO UNLOCK THE DOORS
Press and release the UNLOCK button on the transmitter
once to unlock the driver's door, or twice to unlock all
doors. The turn signal lights will flash to acknowledge
the unlock signal. The illuminated entry system (if
equipped) will also turn on.
Remote Key Unlock, Driver Door/All Doors First
This feature lets you program the system to unlock either
the driver's door or all doors on the first press of the
UNLOCK button on the transmitter. To change the cur-
rent setting, proceed as follows:
² For vehicles equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), refer to ªRemote Key
Unlock,º under ªPersonal Settings (Customer Pro-
grammable Features)º under ªElectronic Vehicle Infor-
mation Center (EVIC)º in Section 4 of this manual for
details. ² For vehicles not equipped with the EVIC, perform the
following procedure:
1. Press and hold the LOCK button on a programmed
transmitter for at least four seconds, but not longer than
ten seconds. Then, press and hold the UNLOCK button
while still holding the LOCK button.
2. Release both buttons at the same time.
3. Test the feature while outside of the vehicle, by
pressing the LOCK/UNLOCK buttons on the transmitter
with the ignition in the LOCK position, and the key
removed.
4. Repeat these steps if you want to return this feature to
its previous setting.
NOTE: Pressing the LOCK button on the transmitter
while you are inside the vehicle will activate the Security22 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Alarm. Opening a door with the Security Alarm activated
will cause the alarm to sound. Press the UNLOCK button
to deactivate the Security Alarm.
Flash Lights With Lock
The feature will cause the turn signal lights to flash when
the doors are locked or unlocked with the transmitter.
This feature can be turned on or turned off. To change the
current setting, proceed as follows:
² For vehicles equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), refer to ªFlash Lights with
Lock,º under 9 Personal Settings (Customer Program-
mable Features)º under ªElectronic Vehicle Informa-
tion Center (EVIC)º in Section 4 of this manual for
details.
² For vehicles not equipped with the EVIC, perform the
following procedure: 1. Press and hold the UNLOCK button on a programmed
transmitter for at least four seconds, but not longer than
ten seconds. Then, press and hold the LOCK button
while still holding the UNLOCK button.
2. Release both buttons at the same time.
3. Test the feature while outside of the vehicle, by
pressing the LOCK/UNLOCK buttons on the transmitter
with the ignition in the LOCK position, and the key
removed.
4. Repeat these steps if you want to return this feature to
its previous setting.
NOTE: Pressing the LOCK button on the transmitter
while you are in the vehicle will activate the Security
Alarm. Opening a door with the Security Alarm activated
will cause the alarm to sound. Press the UNLOCK button
to deactivate the Security Alarm. THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 23
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