Losing or needing an extra key fob for your Dodge vehicle is a common situation. Luckily, Dodge vehicles often allow you to program a new key fob yourself, without needing a dealership for certain models and situations. This guide will walk you through the steps to program a new key fob for your Dodge, assuming you already have two working key fobs. This process, known as “Customer Learn Programming,” is designed for adding a third or subsequent key fob to your vehicle’s system.
What You Will Need Before Starting
Before you begin the programming process, ensure you have the following:
- Your Dodge Vehicle: This procedure is specifically for Dodge vehicles equipped with a Sentry Key system.
- Two Existing, Working Key Fobs: This method requires two already programmed key fobs to enter the programming mode.
- A New, Unprogrammed Key Fob: Purchase a blank Sentry Key FOBIK compatible with your Dodge model. Ensure the key blade is cut to match your vehicle’s locks if it’s a combined key and fob.
Alt text: A close-up of a Dodge key fob with buttons for lock, unlock, and panic, illustrating the type of remote being programmed.
Step-by-Step Guide to Program Your Dodge Key Fob
Follow these steps carefully to successfully program your new Dodge key fob:
Step 1: Initial Key Fob Insertion
Insert one of your two working key fobs into the ignition switch. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position. Do not start the engine, just turn the key to the position right before engine ignition, where the dashboard lights up.
Step 2: Cycle Ignition and Second Key Fob
After keeping the ignition in the ON position for at least 3 seconds but no more than 15 seconds, turn the ignition switch back to the OFF position. Remove the first key fob and immediately insert your second working key fob into the ignition switch. Turn the ignition switch back to the ON position again. This second key fob must be inserted within 15 seconds of removing the first one.
Step 3: Enter Customer Learn Programming Mode
Approximately 10 seconds after completing Step 2, you should hear a single audible chime. Simultaneously, the security indicator light on your instrument cluster will begin to flash. These are your signals that the system has successfully entered the Customer Learn programming mode.
Step 4: Program the New Key Fob
Within 60 seconds of entering the Customer Learn programming mode (indicated by the flashing security light), turn the ignition switch to the OFF position. Remove the second working key fob and replace it with your new, unprogrammed key fob. Turn the ignition switch back to the ON position.
Step 5: Programming Confirmation
About 10 seconds after completing Step 4, you will hear another single audible chime. The security indicator light will stop flashing, remain solid ON for about 3 seconds, and then turn OFF. This sequence confirms that your new Sentry Key FOBIK has been successfully programmed. The system will automatically exit the Customer Learn programming mode at this point.
Step 6: Verify the New Key Fob
Turn the ignition to the OFF position and remove the newly programmed key fob. You can now start your Dodge vehicle using this new key fob to verify that the programming was successful.
If you need to program additional key fobs, repeat each of these steps in their entirety for each new fob.
Important Notes and Troubleshooting
- Timing is Crucial: Each step must be completed within the specified time limits. If you exceed the time limit at any point, the system will exit the programming mode, and you will need to start over from Step 1.
- Blank Transponder Required: Ensure the new key fob you are programming has a blank transponder. The system is designed to recognize and program blank transponders only during the Customer Learn process.
- Maximum Key Fobs: The vehicle’s system can store a maximum of 8 programmed key fobs. You will not be able to program more than 8.
- One-Time Programming: Once a key fob is programmed to a specific vehicle, it cannot be programmed to another vehicle.
- Troubleshooting Start Issues: If you attempt to start the vehicle while the security indicator is flashing (during Customer Learn mode), the engine may stall after a couple of seconds. This is normal and indicates the system is still in programming mode. It does not set any fault codes.
- WIN Module Exit: The Wireless Ignition Node (WIN) module will automatically exit the Customer Learn programming mode if it detects a non-blank transponder when it expects a blank one, if 8 key fobs are already programmed, or if the ignition is left in the OFF position for more than approximately 50 seconds during the programming sequence.
By following these steps carefully, you should be able to successfully program a new key fob for your Dodge vehicle and gain the convenience of an extra remote.
