Ignition Key Removal
Place the shift lever in PARK. Turn the ignition switch to
the ACC position, push the key slightly inward, rotate the
key to the LOCK position, and remove the key.NOTE:•If you try to remove the key before you place the shift
lever into PARK, the key may become trapped tempo-
rarily in the ignition switch lock cylinder. If this
occurs, rotate the key to the right slightly, then remove
the key as described. If a malfunction occurs, the
system will trap the key in the ignition switch lock
cylinder to warn you that this safety feature is inop-
erable. The engine can be started and stopped, but the
key cannot be removed until you obtain service.
•For vehicles not equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), the power window
switches, radio, hands–free system (if equipped), and
power outlets will remain active for 45 seconds after
the ignition switch is turned to the LOCK position.
Opening either door will cancel this feature.
Ignition Switch Positions
1 — LOCK 3 — ON
2 — ACC (ACCESSORY) 4 — STARTTHINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 13
2
SENTRY KEY
The Sentry KeyImmobilizer System prevents unautho-
rized vehicle operation by disabling the engine. The
system does not need to be armed or activated. Operation
is automatic, regardless of whether the vehicle is locked
or unlocked.
The system uses ignition keys, which have an embedded
electronic chip (transponder), to prevent unauthorized
vehicle operation. Therefore, only keys that are pro-
grammed to the vehicle can be used to start and operate
the vehicle. The system will shut the engine off in two
seconds if someone uses an invalid key to start the
engine.
NOTE:A key, which 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 the ignition
switch ON, the Vehicle Security Light will turn on for
three seconds for a bulb check. If the light remains 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 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 sec-
onds), it indicates that there is a fault in the electronics.
Should this occur, have the vehicle serviced as soon as
possible.
CAUTION!
Always remove the Sentry Keyfrom the vehicle and
lock all doors when leaving the vehicle unattended.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 15
2
Sentry KeyProgramming
You can program new keys to the system if you have two
valid Sentry Keysby performing the following proce-
dure:
1. Cut the additional Sentry KeyTransponder 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.
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
addition, 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 Keyinto 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
Security Light will turn on again for three seconds and
then turn off.
The new Sentry Keyis 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, contact your
authorized dealer for details.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 17
2
NOTE:If a programmed key is lost, see your authorized
dealer to have all remaining keys erased from the sys-
tems memory. This will prevent the lost key from starting
your vehicle. The remaining keys must then be repro-
grammed. All vehicle keys must be taken to an autho-
rized dealer at the time of service to be reprogrammed.
General Information
The Sentry Keysystem complies with FCC rules part 15
and with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following conditions:
•This device may not cause harmful interference.
•This device must accept any interference that may be
received, including interference that may cause undes-
ired operation.
VEHICLE SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM — IF
EQUIPPED
The Vehicle Security Alarm 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 three minutes, the horn
will sound intermittently and the headlights, park lights,
taillights and the indicator 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 three
minutes, turn off all of the visual signals after 15 minutes,
and then the system will rearm itself.
18 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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
(one door must be open) or the LOCK button on the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter (doors can be
open or closed), and close all doors.
NOTE:The system will not arm if you lock the doors
with the manual door lock plungers.
3. The Vehicle Security Light in the instrument cluster
will flash rapidly for 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 system will automati-
cally disarm. After 16 seconds, the indicator light will
flash slowly. This shows that the system is fully armed.NOTE:•During the 16 second arming period, if a door is
opened or the ignition switch is turned ON, the system
will automatically disarm.
•Once armed, the Vehicle Security Alarm system dis-
ables 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/
Garage Door Opener (if equipped).
To Disarm The System
Either press the UNLOCK button on the RKE transmitter
or insert a valid Sentry Keyinto the ignition lock
cylinder and turn the key to the ON/START position.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 19
2
NOTE:
•The driver’s door key cylinder and the trunk button on
the RKE transmitter cannot arm or disarm the system.
•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.
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.
If the Vehicle Security Alarm system is armed and the
battery becomes disconnected the system will remainarmed when the battery is reconnected. The exterior
lights will flash, and the horn will sound. If this occurs,
disarm the system.Tamper Alert
If the alarm was triggered, but the warning signals have
timed out, the park and taillights flash three times
(instead of the normal twice), and the horn will chirp
three times, when unlocking the vehicle with a valid RKE
transmitter to alert the driver.
ILLUMINATED ENTRY SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED
The courtesy/reading lights will turn on when you use
the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter or open
either door.
This feature also turns on the approach lighting (if so
equipped). For details, refer to “Illuminated Approach,”
under “Personal Settings (Customer-Programmable Fea-
tures)” under “Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC)” in Section 4 of this manual.
20 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
The interior lights will fade to off after about 30 seconds
or they will immediately fade to off once the ignition
switch is turned ON.
NOTE:
•The illuminated entry system will not operate the
interior lights if the dimmer control is in the “defeat”
position (extreme downward position).
REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE)
This system allows you to lock or unlock the doors, open
the trunk, open the convertible top (if equipped), lower
both door and rear quarter windows (if equipped), or
activate the Panic Alarm from distances up to 66 ft (20 m)
using a hand-held Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmit-
ter. The RKE transmitter need not be pointed at the
vehicle to activate the system.NOTE:
•The line of transmission must not be blocked with
metal objects when using the RKE transmitter.
•Inserting the key into the ignition switch disables all
buttons on the RKE transmitter.
RKE Transmitter with Integrated Key
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 21
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To Unlock the Doors
Press and release the UNLOCK button on the RKE
transmitter once to unlock the driver’s door, or twice to
unlock both 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
Press
This feature lets you program the system to unlock either
the driver’s door or both doors on the first press of the
UNLOCK button on the RKE transmitter. To change the
current setting, proceed as follows:
•For vehicles equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), refer to “Remote Key
Unlock,” under “Personal Settings (Customer-
Programmable Features)” under “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)” in Section 4 of this manual
for details.
•For vehicles not equipped with the EVIC, perform the
following procedure:
1. Press and hold the LOCK button on a programmed
RKE transmitter for at least four seconds, but not longer
than 10 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 RKE trans-
mitter 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 RKE transmit-
ter while you are inside the vehicle will activate the
Vehicle Security Alarm System. Opening a door with the
22 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE