designed to protect against whole vehicle theft. The
system monitors vehicle doors, and ignition action for
unauthorized operation (hood and liftgate for RG -
Export). The alarm activates:

• Sounding of the horn

• Flashing of the headlamps/park/tail lamps

• Flashing of the headlamps

• An engine kill feature (with SKREES)

SENTRY KEY REMOTE ENTRY SYSTEM

The Sentry Key Remote Entry System (SKREES)

is available as a factory-installed option on this vehi-
cle. It is designed to provide passive protection
against unauthorized 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 whenever the ignition is on and does not
require any customer intervention. The primary com-
ponents of the system are the Sentry Key Remote
Entry Module (SKREEM), Sentry Key (integrated
key with tranponder and RKE on a circuit board),
indicator light, Body Control Module (BCM), and the
Powertrain Control Module (PCM). The SKREEM is
mounted to the steering column with the molded,
integral antenna mounted on the ignition housing.
The indicator light, is located in the Mechanical
Instrument Cluster (MIC).

OPERATION

VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY SYSTEM

Upon failure of proper Sentry Key Remote Entry

Module (SKREEM) communication to the PCM, the
PCM 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 PCM 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 integrated key.

• Door Cylinder Lock Switches (RG only).
For vehicles equipped with Sentry Key Remote

Entry System (SKREES), 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 Mechanical
Instrument Cluster (MIC) 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. The LED will extinguish unless
the liftgate is open. If the liftgate is open, the LED
will flash at a slower rate. This indicates that the
system is armed.

VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY

8Q - 1

RG Only - If fault is detected on the driver key

cylinder input, the indicator 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.

Passive disarming occurs upon normal vehicle

entry by unlocking either door with the remote trans-
mitter (RG - ignition key or 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.

RG Only - For Door Cylinder Lock Switch

Removal and Installation, refer to Electrical, Power
Locks, Door Cylinder Lock Switch.

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 (for RG - Export it also monitors the engine
compartment. If a malfunction occurs in the engine
compartment, the passenger compartment would still
arm and function normally).

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

NOTE: (RG - Export - If hood is not secure during
the arming sequence, the lamp will stay lit and not
flash. The system will arm with hood not secured
and the liftgate open).

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

(RG Only).

(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 (liftgate - only if opening via

liftgate button on key fob).

• Opening the hood (RG - Export)

• 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 SKREES 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

SENTRY KEY REMOTE ENTRY SYSTEM

The SKREES includes keys from the factory which

are pre-programmed. Each SKREEM will recognize a
maximum 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 pro-
grammed to the SKREEM on the vehicle in order for
the system to recognize them as valid keys. This can
be done by the dealer with a DRBlll

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. Refer to the Service Procedures portion of this
system for additional details. The SKREES 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.

8Q - 2

VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY

VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY (Continued)

The SKREES can be diagnosed and any stored DTC’s
can be retrieved using a DRBlll

t scan tool as

described in the appropriate Body Diagnostic Proce-
dures information.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - SENTRY KEY
REMOTE ENTRY SYSTEM

WARNING: On vehicles equipped with airbags, refer
to electrical, restraints, warnings, before attempting
component diagnosis or service. Failure to take the
proper precautions could result in accidental airbag
deployment and possible personal injury or death.

NOTE: The following tests may not prove conclu-
sive in the diagnosis of this system. The most reli-
able, efficient, and accurate means to diagnose the
Sentry

Key

Remote

Entry

System

(SKREES)

involves the use of a DRBIII

scan tool. Refer to the

proper Body Diagnostic Procedures information.

The Sentry Key Remote Entry System (SKREES)

and the Programmable Communication Interface
(PCI) bus network should be diagnosed using a scan
tool. The scan tool will allow confirmation that the
PCI bus is functional, that the Sentry Key Remote
Entry Module (SKREEM) is placing the proper mes-
sages on the PCI bus, and that the Powertrain Con-
trol

Module

(PCM)

receiving

the

PCI

bus

messages. Refer to the proper Body Diagnostic Proce-
dures information, and Wiring Diagrams for complete
circuit descriptions and diagrams.

(1) Check the fuses in the Integrated Power Mod-

ule (IPM). If OK, go to Step 2. If not OK, repair the
shorted circuit or component as required and replace
the faulty fuse.

(2) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative

remote cable from the remote terminal. Unplug the
wire harness connector at the SKREEM. Check for
continuity between the ground circuit cavity of the
SKREEM wire harness connector and a good ground.
There should be continuity. If OK, go to Step 3. If not
OK, repair the open circuit to ground as required.

(3) Connect the battery negative cable. Check for

battery voltage at the fused B(+) circuit cavity of the
SKREEM wire harness connector. If OK, go to Step
4. If not OK, repair the open circuit to the fuse in the
IPM as required.

(4) Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.

Check for battery voltage at the fused ignition switch
output (run/start) circuit cavity of the SKREEM wire
harness connector. If OK, use a scan tool and the
proper Body Diagnostic Procedures information to

complete the diagnosis of the SKREES. If not OK,
repair the open circuit to the fuse in the IPM as
required.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - VEHICLE THEFT
SECURITY SYSTEM

Refer to the appropriate wiring information. The

wiring information includes wiring diagrams, proper
wire and connector repair procedures, further details
on wire harness routing and retention, as well as
pin-out and location views for the various wire har-
ness

connectors,

splices

and

grounds.

Using

DRBIII

t scan tool. Refer to the proper Body Diagnos-

tic Procedures information for test procedures.

HOOD AJAR SWITCH -
EXPORT

REMOVAL

(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative

cable.

(2) Using a small flat blade screwdriver, pry trig-

ger switch from the bracket on the left fender well.

(3) Disconnect the hood ajar switch from the wire

connector and remove from vehicle.

INSTALLATION

(1) Connect the hood ajar switch to the wire conec-

tor.

(2) Press the hood ajar switch into position on the

bracket located on the left inner fender well.

(3) Reconnect the battery negative cable.
(4) Close the hood and check for proper operation.

SENTRY KEY REMOTE ENTRY
MODULE

DESCRIPTION

The Sentry Key Remote Entry Module (SKREEM)

performs the functions of the Sentry Key Immobilizer
Module (SKIM), Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) Mod-
ule, and the Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) System
(previously part of the Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC).

The SKREEM is located in the same location as

the SKIM was and is mounted the same way. It looks
identical, but has added capabilities.

SENTRY KEY IMMOBILIZER

The

Sentry

Key

Immobilizer

System

(SKIS)

authenticates an electronically coded Transponder
Key placed into the ignition and sends a valid/invalid
key message to the Powertrain Control Module

VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY

8Q - 3

VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY (Continued)

(PCM) based upon the results. The “VALID/INVALID
KEY” message communication is performed using a
rolling code algorithm via the Programmable Com-
munication Interface (PCI) data bus. A “VALID KEY”
message must be sent to the Powertrain Control
Module (PCM) within two seconds of ignition ON to
free the engine from immobilization.

The SKREEM contains a Radio Frequency (RF)

transceiver and a microprocessor. The SKREEM
retains in memory the ID numbers of any Sentry Key
that is programmed to it. The maximum number of
keys that may be programmed to each module is
eight (8). The SKREEM also communicates over the
Programmable Communication Interface (PCI) data
bus with the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), the
Body Control Module (BCM), the Mechanical Instru-
ment Cluster (MIC), and the DRB III

t scan tool. The

SKREEM transmits and receives RF signals through
a tuned antenna enclosed within a molded plastic
ring formation that is integral to the SKREEM hous-
ing. When the SKREEM is properly installed on the
steering column, the antenna ring fits snugly around
the circumference of the ignition lock cylinder hous-
ing. If this ring is not mounted properly, communica-
tion problems may arise in the form of transponder-
related faults.

For added system security, each SKREEM is pro-

grammed with a unique

9Secret Key9 code. This code

is stored in memory and is sent over the PCI bus to
the PCM and to each key that is programmed to
work with the vehicle. The

9Secret Key9 code is there-

fore a common element found in all components of
the Sentry Key Immobilizer System (SKIS). In the
event that a SKREEM replacement is required, the
9Secret Key9 code can be restored from the PCM by
following the SKIM replacement procedure found in
the DRB III

t scan tool. Proper completion of this

task will allow the existing ignition keys to be repro-
grammed. Therefore, new keys will NOT be needed.
In the event that the original

9Secret Key9 code can

not be recovered, new ignition keys will be required.
The DRB III

t scan tool will alert the technician if

key replacement is necessary. Another security code,
called a PIN, is used to gain secured access to the
SKREEM for service. The SKREEM also stores in its
memory the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN),
which it learns through a bus message from the
assembly plant tester. The SKIS scrambles the infor-
mation that is communicated between its components
in order to reduce the possibility of unauthorized
SKREEM access and/or disabling.

REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE)

The RKE transmitter uses radio frequency signals

to communicate with the SKREEM. The SKREEM is
on the PCI bus. When the operator presses a button

on the transmitter, it sends a specific request to the
SKREEM. In turn the SKREEM sends the appropri-
ate request over the PCI Bus to the:

• Body Control Module (BCM) to control the door

lock and unlock functions, the liftgate lock and
unlock functions, the arming and disarming of the
Vehicle Theft Security System (VTSS) (if equipped),
and the activation of illuminated entry.

• Integrated Power Module (IPM) to activate the

park lamps, the headlamps, and the horn for horn
chirp. If requested, the BCM sends a request over
the PCI Bus to the:

TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING (TPM)

If equipped with the Tire Pressure Monitoring

(TPM) System, each of the vehicles four wheels will
have a valve stem with a pressure sensor and radio
transmitter built in. Signals from the tire pressure
sensor/transmitter are received and interpreted by
the SKREEM.

A sensor/transmitter in a mounted wheel will

broadcast its detected pressure once per minute
when the vehicle is moving faster than 15 mph (24
km/h).

Each

sensor/transmitter’s

broadcast

uniquely coded so that the SKREEM can determine
the location.

OPERATION

SENTRY KEY IMMOBILIZER

The Sentry Key Remote Entry Module (SKREEM)

receives an encrypted Radio Frequency (RF) signal
from

the

transponder

key.

The

SKREEM

then

decrypts the signal and broadcasts the requested
remote commands to the appropriate modules in the
vehicle

over

the

Programmable

Communication

Interface (PCI) data bus. A valid transponder key ID
must be incorporated into the RF signal in order for
the SKREEM to pass the message on to the appro-
priate modules.

Automatic transponder key synchronization is done

by the SKREEM if a valid transponder key is
inserted into the ignition cylinder, and the ignition is
turned ON. This provides a maximum operation win-
dow for RKE functions.

Each Sentry Key Remote Entry System (SKREES)

consists of a SKREEM and a transponder key. Each
system has a secret key code unique to that system.
The

secret

key

electronically

coded

the

SKREEM and in all programmed transponder keys.
It is used for immobilization and RKE functions for
data security. In addition, each transponder key will
have a unique identification. For North America, the
options are a 3-button or 6 button integrated keys.
For Export, the options are 2-button or 5 button key
fobs. (Export does not get the integrated key).

8Q - 4

VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY

SENTRY KEY REMOTE ENTRY MODULE (Continued)

Content .. 760 761 762 763 ..