Problems with EVS-II Sentry Security install

[7FA]

Problems with EVS-II Sentry Security install- STILL NEED HELP!!!

Ordered the EVS-II security system for my 2004 and had the dealer install on Friday (along with TSB reflash and high idle)



Picked truck up, but I'm not sure everything is working right.



It has the new grey Sentry keys, but try as I might I can't get the alarm to set off at all, and the dash light does not flash when it is armed like the factory manual says it should. Even sitting in the truck if I arm it and move around or open the door it does not go off.



Also, is there supposed to be new key fobs, or do you just re-use the keyless entry fobs??



Thanks for the help!!

 

[MFalkinham]

You re-use the existing fobs. After you exit and lock the truck you should see the red light on the instrument cluster (below and to the right of the speedometer) flash for about 20 seconds or so while the system arms. If that isn't happening then the installation went haywire, and I'd take the truck back and have them do it again until it's right (for free, of course).

My understanding is that the technician has to follow the EVS-II installation instructions EXACTLY for it to work. Any deviation from the sequence or instructions can cause problems. Unfortunately, the instructions aren't writen very clearly and some techs misinterpret what they are saying.

I found the following out on www.dieselram.com by searching EVS-II. It could be what is causing your problems, so print it out and take it along to the dealer for the tech to read.


AH HA! I have figured out what went wrong during the install process. After reading a bit of the service manual and looking at the wiring diagrams to see what all the little steps do in the EVS installation manual, I now know what the cluster needed to happen to enable the alarm feature. The step which was screwed up initially during my install was where you had to use a jumper and short a pin in the connector to ground.

I remembered that during the install, we had actually unplugged the connector and then used the jumper. In reality, that is not what the instructions mean. What they really mean is to leave the connector attached and just backprobe the pin with the violet/light blue wire coming out the back. You are supposed to stick one end of the jumper in the connector pin cavity and then hold the other end of the jumper to ground for 2 seconds. The connector in question is 24 pins and is located close to where your left foot rests if you were in the driver's seat. It's attached to a module which is secured to the firewall. The back of the connector should be easy to access without removing anything. The jumper is just a wire with a 470 ohm resistor in series.

I blame this partially on DCX's lame instructions (they are basically like sign language with not many words). I arrived at this solution after seeing what you are accomplishing by shorting this pint, which is sending the cluster a simulated driver's door lock key cylinder signal. Now, the key cylinder switch is ONLY on the Laramie or trucks ordered with security FROM THE FACTORY. So, when you install the system on an regular SLT, you are just sending the cluster a fake lock cylinder signal.

According to the manual, 2 things need to happen in order for the cluster to enable the alarm feature; 1) a valid, working SKIM module must be installed and the cluster must be receiving SKIM signals. 2) the cluster needs to see a driver's door lock cylinder switch signal.

So, after you get the cluster to blink the security light after using the remote to lock the doors, the next step is to enable the horn and lights flashing. For that, you disconnect the battery for 15 mins, reconnect. Close all the doors then cycle the key from off to run and back 20 times. After you arm the system the next time and trip it, the horn and lights should go.

 

[7FA]

Thanks for the info!! I will bring this to my dealer on Monday. It amazes me that we have to do all the homework for the dealers so they can do the work right... (I had to bring them the TSB and instructions on how to enable the high idle, then they charges me $50 to enable it!!!)

 

[Kirwin]

Install specific directions

You have to ground a pin on the instrument cluster if i recall to turn on the alarm. I found this out when I actually did it twice since I had no alarm after completing the install. Each time you ground the pin in the sequence it enables and then disables the alarm default. You need the DRB tool also as I recall. The dealer may have inadvertently turned it off. Ken Irwin

 

[7FA]

Ok Guys,

Dealer is officially in run-around mode... Now says



- Shock Sensor cannot be hooked up because it only works on trucks with factory security system. This truck does not have the right harness to connect it.....



????????????????????? Any truth to this before I raise all kinds of hate and discontent??





Also playing ignorant about getting the alarm function to work even though I showed them the instructions above. They say the kit only gives you the Sentry key feature and panic button unless you have factory alarm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



They told me to call the "hotline" 1-800-34-mopar. I talked to some guy about the system, but he said they only made the ITS sensor and he didn't know anything about the install or the rest of the EVS system. He did say you had to have the factory security system for the sensor to work, but when i dug a little deeper it was obvious he was clueless about the system.



I'm about ready to lose it with these guys. Can someone please confirm what features do or don't work on a truck that did not come with Factory Alarm system (but with power locks)





Thanks!!!

 

[MFalkinham]

Wow, this dealer is terrible! You bought this Mopar accessory from their parts department, correct? For them to now say it won't work on your truck is really frustrating.

I just looked at my IT-S and the harness that runs to it has four wires; Black with red stripe, Brown, Pink, and Black. The white tag on this harness says "100988-5 Rev A". This harness also has two 1-amp fuses tied into it just before it reaches the IT-S. The other end of the harness runs up to behind the instrument cluster, and I can't see where it terminates.

Personally, I leave my IT-S unplugged due to getting numerous false alarms despite adjustments to the sensitivity knob. The only way I could prevent the false alarms was to turn the sensitivity down to a point where it was useless. Others may have had better success, but I mainly wanted the EVS-II for the sentry keys and don't really care about the IT-S feature.

For the record, my truck is a 2003 2500 SLT that came with factory remote access (power locks and fobs) but no Sentry key or factory security system. I bought my EVS-II kit from a local Dodge dealer parts desk, and their service department installed it with no problem. I think you have a clueless dealer that has never put one of these in before, so you are their guinea pig. I'm not sure where you are located, but EVS-II is a Mopar accessory so it will work with your truck despite what they say.


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[JVolpe]

I don't know about the EVS-II system, but I had the dealer install the IT-S system on mine. Don't know what the difference in between the systems, but mine works as the documentation says.

 

[Kirwin]

EVS install

On my 03 Ram SLT with power door locks and remote key fobs but without factory security alarm or sentry key system, I installed the same system. This did require me to cut and splice a couple of wires in the instrument cluster wire harness basically such that the shock sensor turns on the dome light just like you opened the door as I understand it too work. This is what sets off the alarm I think. Then ground the specified pin in the harness connector and turn on the factory alarm in the computer. There is more too it than this as I think you had to reconnect the batteries and turn the key to run or some such sequence but I can't remember exactly. I do have the directions at home so I could look it up for you if need be. My issue as stated above is that I enabled the security system by grounding the pin twice which actully turned it back off and of course I couldn't get it to work after I finished. The directions didn't state what grounding the pin did so I didn't associate this action with turning the alarm system on in the computer. I was at a dealer and we also used the DRB II to enable the Skim Key system and program the keys into the system. Ken Irwin

 

[CMullen]

How hokey is all this stuff, seems like you need to face west, blow smoke, honk three times and wish you were in kansas to get these things to work.



I got a viper from my medicine man and it works great... Good luck

 

[7FA]

OK, just got back from the dealer. . Not good news...



They are sticking to their claim that they cannot hook up the ITS sensor in a vehicle that did not originally come with the Factory security system because of this "mystery" harness that is supposedly missing.



They are also claiming that the ITS sensor box is what controls the flashing LED in the dash and the other alarm functions I think should be working (as in with the system armed and you try to open the door from the outside, or try to start the car with a non-Sentry key I think the lights and horn should flash!!!!!)



Also, they gave me the instructions, but the only user manual they said came with it is a generic ITS Sensor Owners Manual, and not a manual for the whole system. Should there be one??





I honestly don't care about the ITS thing, but I do want the alarm part to work if someone opens the doors or tries to start the engine!!!!



Can someone please confirm 100% that the Alarm functions can be engaged without the ITS Sensor or not?? I told them that the grounding step was needed to arm the system, but they won't budge because the "ITS box does it all"



Also, if anyone has any detailed instructions for install or the name and phone number of a dealer that has done the install that I can tell these guys to contact please let me know.



At this point they have only agreed to refund the ITS cost ($35) and will not refund the install costs ($120). They scoff at my internet printouts, but maybe if another dealer talked with them they would understand.





Thanks again for all the help!!

 

[MFalkinham]

I'm trying to find the instructions for my EVS-II, but I think I left them at work and I won't be back in the office anytime soon.

I had mine installed at Griffin Dodge in Menomonee Falls, WI (service # 262-253-6398). I don't know which tech did the install or if they will even remember doing it, but they did get it working correctly on the first try.

Also, below is a link to www.dodgeparts.com where they sell the EVS-II. There is a review by someone else who went through the install that might have a few more tips, but doesn't address your question about the IT-S. You might try calling dodgeparts.com to see if they can clarify this.

I don't believe the alarm will go off if someone trys starting the truck using a non-sentry key. All that would happen is the truck will not start. I think the alarm is designed to go off if the doors are opened without the keyless entry fob being used (for example, someone breaking the glass and unlocking the door from the inside). My understanding is the EVS-II system works closely with the remote keyless entry system, and that the IT-S is just an additional shock sensor. I could be wrong, but I believe the EVS-II alarm should work without the IT-S.

Sorry I couldn't help more.

https://www.dodgeparts.com/oe_parts_catalog.html?osCsid=2666ceda043981f493fde1902ef8ecf4

 

[Kirwin]

The ITS does not run the system

The alarm system, at least in the 03 model year, is run by the front control module which is part of the instrument cluster. The ITS is an additional sensor that is not required for the security system to work. I have the installation instructions for both the ITS and the security system (MOPAR part number 82208216). If you want I can email them to you. They are not very detailed. Under the ITS is shows which wires are spliced into the connectors behind the instrument cluster. Two connections are made to the white connector wires that plug into the back of the instrument cluster, one to the black with red tracer (03 model wire colors) wire that goes to terminal 13 which is ignition switched +12 volts, and one to the pink wire that goes to terminal 26. The last wire is spliced into the tan wire in terminal 18 of the gray terminal block also connected to the back of the instrument cluster. The system schematic shows that the ITS merely grounds the tan wire which simulates a door opening thus triggering an alarm. If it is not installed the system should still have all other functions. The system doesn't know why the tan wire is grounded it just knows that when the alarm is active and the tan wire is shorted to ground the alarm should go off. (also it turns on the dome lights). Hope this helps. Ken Irwin

 

[7FA]

Kirwin, thanks for the offer. If its not too much hassle, please email them to me at -- email address removed --





I think I've given up on trying to get this dealer to fix the system, but I will call the one listed and see if they can help and will also try some other local delaerships for advice.



Thanks again for all the help!!!

 

[Kirwin]

Instructions

I'll try to email them too you tonight 12/22. Ken Irwin

 

[REndres]

When I bought my 05 the salesman told me it had the sentry key,but it didnt I got them to get me the evsII kit. I researched this on this site and with sevice techs and determined the security portion could not be activated unless security option was installed when built. I installed the sentry key parts and had the dealer program it. I still have the shock sensor that came with the kit.

 

[Matt400]

You have to ground a pin on the instrument cluster if i recall to turn on the alarm. I found this out when I actually did it twice since I had no alarm after completing the install. Each time you ground the pin in the sequence it enables and then disables the alarm default. You need the DRB tool also as I recall. The dealer may have inadvertently turned it off. Ken Irwin

I am having this trouble as I write this.

Unfortunately I had to farm out this job as I don't have a DRB so its at the Dealer.



Sentry keys are cut & work proper so the tech was able to get that part done but hit the key fob and the alarm will not arm. I have pointed out the last paragraph in the instructions to the service writer several times about the pin that needs to be grounded but they cant get it to work.



As long as the DRB is not needed AFTER grounding that pin. . I may just pick it up and do it myself.

 

[Kirwin]

DRB tool

The DRB tool is used to enable the Sentry Keys using the SKIM code that is already in the FCM on my truck (03). It may be in the ECM also I'm not sure about that. You need the tool to enable the keys. The basic alarm is enabled by grounding the pin as stated above, then the truck receiver is programmed to recognize the keys using the DRB tool. Hope this helps Ken Irwin

 

[Matt400]

Hope this helps Ken Irwin

Hi Ken,

Yes it helps. . mostly your tip on post #4 about grounding the pin. Once I relayed that info to the service writer they were able to get it done.

I wouldn't have known touching ground toggles between enable and disable.



I like to be the only one who works on my stuff, Glad that is over with. Thanks!