Chrysler 300/300 Touring/300C, Dodge Magnum. Manual - part 789

The VTSS is available in two different configurations: One is designed for vehicles manufactured for sale in North
America; while the other configuration is designed for vehicles manufactured for sale in markets outside of North
America, also referred to as export markets. In addition, the VTSS for export is available in two versions: base and
premium. All vehicles equipped with VTSS are also equipped with the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) system and the
Sentry Key Immobilizer System (SKIS), regardless of their market destination.

The North American and export base version of the VTSS system provide perimeter vehicle protection by monitoring
the vehicle doors, the ignition switch, and for vehicles built for certain markets where it is required equipment, the
hood. If unauthorized vehicle use or tampering is detected, these systems respond by pulsing the vehicle horn as
an audible deterrent and flashing certain exterior lamps as a visual deterrent.

The export premium version of the VTSS system is only available in vehicles manufactured for sale in certain mar-
kets where it is required equipment. The export premium version of the VTSS provides the same perimeter protec-
tion features as the base version, but adds interior vehicle intrusion protection.

The VTSS includes the following major components, which are described in further detail elsewhere in this service
information:

•

Door Ajar Switches - A door ajar switch is integral to the door latch mechanism of each front and rear door.

•

Front Control Module - The Front Control Module (FCM) is integral to the Integrated Power Module (IPM).
The FCM/IPM is located in the engine compartment, near the battery and the Power Distribution Center (PDC)
(Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/POWER DISTRIBUTION - DESCRIPTION).

•

Horn Relay - The horn relay is located in the Power Distribution Center (PDC) in the engine compartment
near the battery

•

Ignition Switch - The ignition switch is located on the steering column in the passenger compartment (Refer
to 8 - ELECTRICAL/IGNITION CONTROL/IGNITION SWITCH - DESCRIPTION).

•

Instrument Cluster - The ElectroMechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC) is also known as the Cab Compart-
ment Node (CCN). The EMIC/CCN is located in the instrument panel above the steering column opening,
directly in front of the driver (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - DESCRIPTION).

•

Intrusion Module - An intrusion module is located the passenger side instrument panel, just above the glove
box of vehicles built for sale in certain export markets where it is required equipment (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-
CAL/VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY/INTRUSION TRANSCEIVER MODULE - DESCRIPTION).

•

Intrusion Sensor Receiver - An intrusion sensor receiver is located in the right front corner of the overhead
console above the headliner in the passenger compartment of vehicles built for sale in certain export markets
where it is required equipment (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY/INTRUSION SENSOR
RECEIVER - DESCRIPTION).

•

Intrusion Sensor Transmitter - An intrusion sensor transmitter is located in the right C-pillar upper trim panel
in the passenger compartment of vehicles built for sale in certain export markets where it is required equip-
ment (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY/INTRUSION SENSOR TRANSMITTER -
DESCRIPTION).

•

Liftgate Ajar Switch - Wagon only - A liftgate ajar switch is integral to the latch mechanism of the liftgate.

•

Security Indicator - The security indicator is integral to the instrument cluster (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - OPERATION).

•

Siren - An alarm siren is located behind the left front wheelhouse splash shield, outboard of the left front frame
rail. A single screw secures the mounting bracket to the right end of the front crossmember of vehicles built for
sale in certain export markets where it is required equipment.

SENTRY KEY REMOTE ENTRY SYSTEM

The Sentry Key Remote Entry System (SKREES) provides passive vehicle protection by preventing the engine from
operating unless a valid electronically encoded key is detected in the ignition lock cylinder. The SKREES used in
combination with the export premium version of the VTSS adds a steering shaft lock feature that provides passive
protection by preventing the vehicle from being steered unless a valid electronically encoded key is detected in the
ignition lock cylinder.

VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY - SERVICE INFORMATION

8Q - 125

The SKREES includes the following major components, which are described in further detail elsewhere in this ser-
vice information:

•

Powertrain Control Module - The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) is located in the engine compartment.

•

Sentry Key Remote Entry Module (SKREEM)/Wireless Control Module (WCM) - The Sentry Key REmote
Entry Module (SKREEM), sometimes referred to as the Wireless Control Module (WCM), is located on the right
side of the steering column near the ignition lock cylinder housing and an integral molded plastic antenna ring
circles the ignition lock cylinder like a halo. The SKREEM and its antenna are concealed beneath the instru-
ment panel steering column shrouds.

•

Sentry Key Transponder - The Sentry Key transponder is contained within the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter on the ignition key.

•

Security Indicator - The security indicator is integral to the ElectroMechanical Instrument Cluster. (Refer to 8
- ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - OPERATION).

•

Shaft Lock Module - A shaft lock module is located on the lower end of the steering column casting below the
instrument panel in the passenger compartment of vehicles built for sale in certain export markets where it is
required equipment.

OPERATION

The ElectroMechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC), sometimes referred to as the Cab Compartment Node (CCN), is
used to control and integrate many of the functions and features included in the Vehicle Theft Security System
(VTSS). In the VTSS, the EMIC/CCN receives inputs indicating the status of the door ajar switches, the liftgate ajar
switch and the ignition switch. The EMIC/CCN will process the information from all of these inputs, internally control
the security indicator as appropriate, and send electronic messages to the Front Control Module (FCM) over the
Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus. The FCM internally controls the output to the hazard warning lamps and
sends a control output to energize or de-energize the horn relay as appropriate.

Following are paragraphs describing the operation of each of the VTSS features.

ENABLING

VTSS should be learned off the vehicle configuration message from the FCM when the EMIC/CCN gets replaced.

ARMING

Passive arming of the VTSS occurs when the vehicle is exited with the key removed from the ignition switch, the
headlamps are turned off, and the doors are locked while they are open using the power lock switch. Active arming
occurs when the “Lock” button on the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter is depressed to lock the vehicle. For
active arming to occur, the doors must be closed and the ignition switch must be in the Off position when the RKE
transmitter “Lock” button is depressed. The power lock switch will not function if the key is in the ignition switch or
the headlamps are turned on with the driver side front door open.

Pre-arming of the VTSS is initiated when a door or the liftgate is open when the vehicle is locked using a power
door lock switch or when the RKE transmitter “Lock” button is depressed. Pre-arming will not occur if the key is in
the ignition switch or the headlamps are turned on with the driver side front door open. When the VTSS is pre-
armed, the arming sequence is delayed until all of the doors and the liftgate have been closed. The VTSS will
remain in “Pre-Armed” mode for up to seventeen seconds after all doors and the liftgate have been closed.

Once the VTSS begins the passive or active arming sequence, the security indicator in the instrument cluster will
flash rapidly for about seventeen seconds. This indicates that VTSS arming is in progress. If the ignition switch is
turned to the On position, a door or the liftgate is opened, a door or the liftgate is unlocked by any means, or the
RKE “Panic” button is depressed during the seventeen second arming process, the security indicator will stop flash-
ing and the arming process will abort. Once the seventeen second arming sequence is successfully completed, the
security indicator will flash at a slower rate, indicating that the VTSS is armed.

DISARMING

Since this model is not equipped with lock cylinder switches, passive disarming of the VTSS is only possible if the
vehicle is equipped with the optional Sentry Key Immobilizer System (SKIS). On vehicles with SKIS, turning the
ignition switch to the On position using a valid SKIS key will passively disarm VTSS. Active disarming of the VTSS
occurs when the vehicle is unlocked by depressing the “Unlock” button of the RKE transmitter. Once the alarm has
been activated, either disarming method will also deactivate the alarm. Depressing the “Panic” button on the RKE
transmitter will not disarm the VTSS.

8Q - 126

VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY - SERVICE INFORMATION

POWER-UP MODE

When the armed VTSS senses that the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, it enters its power-up
mode. In the power-up mode the alarm system remains armed following a battery failure or disconnect. If the VTSS
was armed prior to a battery disconnect or failure, the technician or vehicle operator will have to actively or pas-
sively disarm the alarm system after the battery is reconnected. The power-up mode will also apply if the battery
goes dead while the system is armed, and battery jump-starting is attempted. The VTSS will be armed until the
technician or vehicle operator has actively or passively disarmed the alarm system. If the VTSS is in the disarmed
mode prior to a battery disconnect or failure, it will remain disarmed after the battery is reconnected or replaced, or
if jump-starting is attempted.

TAMPER ALERT

The VTSS tamper alert feature will sound the horn three times upon disarming, if the alarm was triggered and has
since timed-out (about eighteen minutes) or if the battery has been disconnected and reconnected. This feature
alerts the vehicle operator that the VTSS alarm was activated while the vehicle was unattended.

INTRUSION ALARM

The intrusion alarm is an exclusive feature of the export premium version of the VTSS, which is only available in
certain markets where it is required. When the VTSS is armed, the intrusion module uses a hard wired outputs to
control an ultrasonic transmitter and receiver which allows the module to monitor the interior of the vehicle for move-
ment. If motion is detected, the intrusion module sends an electronic message to the EMIC/CCN and the FCM over
the CAN data bus to invoke the visual alarm features, and sends an electronic message to the siren over a dedi-
cated serial bus to invoke the audible alarm feature.

The motion detect feature of the intrusion module can be disabled by depressing the LOCK button on the RKE
transmitter three times within 15 seconds during VTSS arming, while the security indicator is still flashing rapidly.
The VTSS provides a single short siren chirp as an audible confirmation that the motion detect disable request has
been received.

The intrusion module must be electronically enabled in order for the intrusion alarm to perform as designed. The
intrusion alarm function of the module is enabled on vehicles equipped with this option at the factory, but a service
replacement module must be configured and enabled by the dealer using a diagnostic scan tool. Refer to the appro-
priate diagnostic information. The intrusion module monitors the conditions of the transmitter and receiver sensors
as well as the siren, and will store fault information in the form of a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) if a system
malfunction is detected. The intrusion module can be diagnosed, and any stored DTC can be retrieved using a
diagnostic scan tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.

SENTRY KEY IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM

The Sentry Key Immobilizer System (SKIS, sometimes referred to as the Sentry Key Remote Entry System
(SKREES), ) is designed to provide passive protection against unauthorized vehicle use by disabling the engine
after about two seconds of running, whenever any method other than a valid Sentry Key is used to start the vehicle.
The SKIS/SKREES is considered a passive protection system because it is always active when the ignition system
is energized and does not require any customer intervention. The SKIS/SKREES uses Radio Frequency (RF) com-
munication to obtain confirmation that the key in the ignition switch is a valid key for operating the vehicle. The
microprocessor-based SKIS/SKREES hardware and software also uses electronic messages to communicate with
other electronic modules in the vehicle over the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-
CAL/ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULES/COMMUNICATION - OPERATION).

Pre-programmed Sentry Key transponders are provided with the vehicle from the factory. Each Sentry Key REmote
Entry Module (SKREEM), sometimes referred to as the Wireless Control Module (WCM), will recognize a maximum
of eight Sentry Keys. If the customer would like additional keys other than those provided with the vehicle, they may
be purchased from any authorized dealer. These additional keys must be programmed to the SKREEM/WCM in the
vehicle in order for the system to recognize them as valid keys. This can be done by the dealer using a diagnostic
scan tool or, if Customer Learn programming is an available SKIS/SKREES feature in the market where the vehicle
was purchased, the customer can program the additional keys, as long as at least two valid Sentry Keys are already
available. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY - STANDARD PROCEDURE - TRANSPONDER
PROGRAMMING).

In vehicles equipped with an export premium version of the VTSS, the SKIS also controls an electronic shaft lock
module on the steering column that locks the steering shaft from rotation unless a valid key is detected in the igni-

VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY - SERVICE INFORMATION

8Q - 127

Content .. 787 788 789 790 ..