Remote Keyless Entry System: Description

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

A Radio Frequency (RF) type Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) system is standard factory installed equipment on this model. The RKE system allows the use of a remote battery-powered radio transmitter to control the power lock system. The RKE receiver operates on non-switched battery current through a fuse in the Power Distribution Center (PDC), so that the system remains operational regardless of the ignition switch position. In addition to Lock and Unlock buttons, the RKE transmitters are also equipped with a Panic button. If the Panic button on the RKE transmitter is depressed, the horn will sound and the exterior lights will flash on the vehicle for about three minutes, or until the Panic button is depressed a second time, if ignition switch is in the OFF position. A vehicle speed of about 24 kilometers-per-hour (15 miles-per-hour) will also cancel the panic event.

The RKE system can also perform other functions on this vehicle. If the vehicle is equipped with the optional Vehicle Theft Security System (VTSS), the RKE transmitter will arm the VTSS when the Lock button is depressed, and disarm the VTSS when the Unlock button is depressed. If the vehicle is equipped with the optional Memory System, each of the two numbered and color-coded RKE transmitters can be used to recall the stored driver side front seat position, both outside power rear view mirror positions, and the radio station presets for the two assigned drivers. The RKE system includes two transmitters when the vehicle is shipped from the factory, but the system can retain the vehicle access codes of up to four transmitters. The transmitter codes are retained in the RKE receiver memory, even if the battery is disconnected. If an RKE transmitter is faulty or lost, new transmitter vehicle access codes can be programmed into the system using a DRBIII® scan tool.

This vehicle also offers several customer programmable features, which allows the selection of several optional electronic features to suit individual preferences. For more information on customer programmable features, see OVERHEAD CONSOLE article. Customer programmable feature options affecting the RKE system include:

Remote Unlock - Allows the option of having only the driver side front door unlock when the RKE transmitter Unlock button is depressed the first time and the remaining doors and the liftgate unlock when the button is depressed a second time, or having all doors and the liftgate unlock upon the first depression of the RKE transmitter Unlock button.
Remote Linked to Memory - If the vehicle is equipped with the memory system, this feature allows the option of having the RKE transmitter Unlock button activate the recall of the stored settings, or having the recall function assigned solely to the memory switch on the driver side front door trim panel.
Sound Horn on Lock - Allows the option of having the horn sound a short chirp as an audible verification that the doors have locked, or having no audible verification.
Flash Lights with Lock - Allows the option of having the lights flash as an optical verification that the doors have locked, or having no optical verification.

Certain functions and features of the RKE system rely upon resources shared with other electronic modules in the vehicle over the Programmable Communications Interface (PCI) data bus network. The other electronic modules that may affect RKE system operation are as follows:

Body Control Module (BCM).
Driver Door Module (DDM).
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC).
Passenger Door Module (PDM).
Powertrain Control Module (PCM).

Hard wired circuitry connects the RKE system components via the PDM to the electrical system of the vehicle.