designed to provide passive protection against unau-
thorized vehicle use by disabling the engine, after
two (2) seconds of running, whenever an invalid key
is used to start the vehicle. The SKIS is active when-
ever the ignition is on and does not require any cus-
tomer intervention. The primary components of the
system are the Sentry Key Remote Entry Module
(SKREEM), Sentry Key (ignition key with a tran-
sponder molded into the head), indicator light, Body
Control Module (BCM), and the Next Generation
Controller (NGC). The SKREEM is mounted on the
ignition

switch/lock

cylinder

assembly

with

the

molded, integral antenna mounted around the igni-
tion housing. The indicator light, is located instru-
ment panel switch pod, just to the right of the
instrument cluster.

OPERATION

VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY SYSTEM

Upon failure of proper SKREEM communication to

the Next Generation Controller (NGC), the NGC will
shut off fuel after two seconds of run time. The
engine will not re-crank on the key cycle that the
failure occurred, a full key down sequence must be
performed for the engine to crank again. After six
consecutive fuel shut-offs, the engine will no longer
crank on subsequent key cycles. The failure must be
corrected and a valid communication process between
the SKREEM and the NGC must occur for the
engine to crank and start again.

The electronics for the VTSS are part of the Body

Control Module (BCM). The system is armed when
the vehicle is locked using the:

• Power door lock switches (with any door ajar)

• Remote Keyless Entry transmitter.

• Door Cylinder Lock Switches.
For vehicles equipped with SKIS, the doors do not

have to be locked to enable the fuel shut off feature.

After the vehicle is locked and the last door is

closed, the set LED indicator in the instrument panel
switch pod will flash quickly for 16 seconds, indicating
that arming is in progress. If no monitored systems are
activated during this period, the system will arm and
the LED will flash at a .5 Hertz (Hz) rate. If the lift-
gate is open, the LED will change its flash rate.

This indicates that the system is armed. If fault is

detected on the driver key cylinder input, the indica-
tor LED will remain solid during the arming process,
although the system will still arm. If the indicator
LED does not illuminate at all upon door closing it
indicates that the system is not arming.

VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY

8Q - 1

Passive disarming occurs upon normal vehicle

entry by unlocking either door with the ignition key/
remote transmitter. This disarming will also halt the
alarm once it has been activated.

A tamper alert exists to notify the driver that the

VTSS had been activated. This alert consists of 3
horn pulses when the vehicle is disarmed.

NOTE: The VTSS will not arm by pushing down the
door lock mechanism. This will manually override
the system.

For Door Cylinder Lock Switch service, (Refer to 8

- ELECTRICAL/POWER LOCKS/DOOR CYLINDER
LOCK/UNLOCK SWITCH - REMOVAL).

If the VTSS is triggered, the horn will pulse, head-

lamps/marker lamps will flash, and the VTSS warn-
ing lamp will flash. If BCM determines the threat to
be false and the VTSS is not triggered again, the sys-
tem will shut down and rearm itself after three min-
utes. If a trigger is still active, the alarm will
continue for an additional 15 minutes without the
horn. The VTSS monitors the passenger compart-
ment.

NOTE: System will not arm if passenger compart-
ment is not secure.

ARMING THE VTSS - METHOD A

(1) With the key removed from the ignition lock

and any door open (excluding liftgate), actuate one of
the following:

• Power door lock button to LOCK,

• Key fob LOCK button

• Driver door lock key cylinder to locked position.
(2) Close all opened doors. Liftgate can remain

open.

(3) After the last door is closed, an arming time-

out period of sixteen seconds will start, then the
VTSS will become armed.

ARMING THE VTSS - METHOD B

Actuating the key fob transmitter LOCK button,

key locking the front doors with the doors closed and
the ignition locked will begin the arming time-out
period. If method A, 16 second time-out sequence was
in process when method B was actuated, the 16 sec-
ond time-out will restart from the time of the second
actuation.

If the security lamp does not illuminate at all upon

final door closure, it indicates that the system is not
arming.

The current VTSS status armed or disarmed shall

be maintained in memory to prevent battery discon-
nects from disarming the system.

TRIGGERING THE VTSS

After the VTSS is armed, the following actions will

trigger the alarm:

• Opening any door (excluding liftgate).

• Turning the ignition to the RUN position.

NOTE: When the VTSS is ARMED, the interior
power door lock switch “UNLOCK” will be disabled
until the vehicle is disarmed.

CAUTION: The VTSS indicator LED will trigger and
engine will continue to run if the vehicle is
equipped with SKIS and the proper key is used to
start the vehicle. This condition will occur if the
VTSS has been triggered. If valid key is used, VTSS
will disarm.

CENTRAL LOCKING/UNLOCKING

This vehicle theft security system feature allows

you lock all the doors with the key by using the driv-
ers door lock cylinder.

All vehicle doors and liftgate are locked with the

first turn of the key to the LOCK position from the
drivers door. A double activation feature of central
unlocking requires you to turn the key in the door
lock cylinder to the unlock position two times within
two seconds to UNLOCK all vehicle doors at once.

The first turn of the key in the door lock cylinder

will disarm the system (the driver door cylinder lock
switch connected to the back of the driver door lock
cylinder) and unlock your drivers door. The second
actuation within two seconds will then unlock all
doors and the liftgate.

SENTRY KEY IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM

The SKIS includes keys from the factory which are

pre-programmed. Each SKIM will recognize a maxi-
mum of eight Sentry Keys. If the customer would
like to own additional keys other than those provided
with the vehicle, they can be purchased from any
authorized dealer. These keys must be programmed
to the SKREEM on the vehicle in order for the sys-
tem to recognize them as valid keys. This can be
done by the dealer with a DRB III

t scan tool or by a

customer if this feature is available in their market
and they have two (2) valid keys already available to
them. The SKIS performs a self-test each time the
ignition switch is turned to the ON position and will
store Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC’s) if a system
malfunction is detected. The SKIS can be diagnosed
and any stored DTC’s can be retrieved using a DRB
III

t scan tool as described in the appropriate Body

Diagnostic Procedures manual.

8Q - 2

VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY

VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY (Continued)

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