Override the Sentry Key System?

Tdodgeneon · Post by **Tdodgeneon** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 6:04 pm

is there anyway to override the sentry key system so that my car will start? i am 100% sure that is what the problem is. I want to avoid towing it to the dealer!

Post by **occasional demons** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 9:26 pm

I can tell you how to get it to engage the starter, but I don't think it would fire up. You can jumper the relays, but IDK if it would still break the grounds in the PCM to fire the coils .

If it was that easy cars would be stolen left and right.

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 10:53 am

Yep, no real way to bypass the system. The main reason is that the PCM will look for the signal from the SKIM before it will allow the car to start.

Some backround to what happened to make you car not start would be helpful.

Tdodgeneon · Post by **Tdodgeneon** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 6:13 pm

Well i bought this car from a small dealer, is ran before, then stopped running. Then dealer then replaced the skim module on the ignition column but didnt change out the computer to match the signal to the skim. after the new skim when attemptng to start the car to crank it would do nothing. I did some research and found out that the skim has to be programmed to the computer, and wit the new skim it would not try to start. So i put the old one back on, and it started to crank, but seemed to not be getting any fuel, so checked the fuel rail and no fuel was coming out when checked after turning the key about three times. checked fuses, good, then replaced the fuel pump and got the car to crank three times for about 2 secounds. After the three tries it would not start anymore. I now believe its the skim, sentry key system.

Post by **occasional demons** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:21 pm

If it is the SKIM it would possibly explain the fuel pump not running, as IIRC the PCM shuts off the ASD relay, which inturn kills the fuel pump. I think SKIM issues have sold many starters and maybe in your situation a fuel pump or two.

Tdodgeneon · Post by **Tdodgeneon** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:34 pm

so u are saying that the skim makes the fuel pump not work and you have to purchase another one? Is it possible to pull a computer and skim from another car and will it work then?

Post by **occasional demons** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 10:01 pm

Tdodgeneon wrote:so u are saying that the skim makes the fuel pump not work and you have to purchase another one? Is it possible to pull a computer and skim from another car and will it work then?

No it shuts off the fuel pump and starter relays via the ASD relay. The fuel pump itself is fine, it just won't run because the relay isn't energized. In the PDC (underhood fuse box) you will find the relays. When you checked for fuel, how did you do it? Can you hear the fuel pump run briefly?

The PCM's/SKIM can be swapped but if your car is 2003-up you will need to keep the same year, I think. 2001 and '02 are interchangeable, and 2000 is in it's own league. Also the VIN may need to be flashed depending on the year, and if you sell the car if it doesn't match there could be issues, as the true mileage cannot be determined. Or it could be to your disadvantage, if the mileage from the donor car is a lot higher than yours. Most times mileage is taken from the odometer, but if the PCM is checked it would raise red flags.
Posting your Year and Transmission in your sig will help also.

Tdodgeneon · Post by **Tdodgeneon** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 4:11 pm

my car is a 2000 auto, and i checked the fuel pump relay and then when to where the gas tank was and listened to c if the fuel pump made any kind of noise.

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 4:15 pm

If they attempted to start the car 3 times after the new SKIM module was installed, the car will lock out all attempts to start it. Used car dealers do that kind of thing around here a lot.

The only thing you can do is have it towed to a dealer and have them program the module to the PCM.

Sorry, it sucks but that's your only option at this point.

Tdodgeneon · Post by **Tdodgeneon** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 8:39 pm

ok i guess i have no choice but to do that