Can '07 transponder key security be disabled?

[Sean Flanagan]

I keep an emergency key to my truck in one of those little magnetic key holders stuck under the back bumper. This is a cheap hardware store copy of the factory key with the built in transponder and remote. The other day, I tried to use the emergency key to start the engine. To my surprise, the engine started and ran for 2 or 3 seconds but then died. It would do that each time I tried to start it. Then I got my original fancy transponder key, and the truck started and ran fine.



Summer is coming and I spend a fair amount of my summer spare time windsurfing. I usually keep the key to my truck on a string around my neck tucked into my wetsuit. I don't think the transponder key would fair too well getting wet, especially with salt-water.



It looks like I can't use the hardware store copy key. I don't really want to pay the dealer a ton of bucks to make me a new transponder key after I get mine wet. I guess I could stash the key somewhere, but I just feel more comfortable having it with me.



Does anybody know if the transponder key feature can be disabled? If somebody wants to steal my truck, they are going find a way to take it anyway, transponder key or not.



Thanks for your help,



Sean

 

[Bob4x4]

No,it can not be disabled. Once the ecm sees a skim/skreem module it will not go backwards.



Bob

 

[JimBob24]

I asked my dealer the same question and they said they could not disable the feature. (That doesn't mean that it can't be done, though).



You can buy transponder key blanks without the remote on ebay fairly cheap. The transponder part is encased in plastic and is waterproof. If you still have both original keys you can program a new key yourself. It tells how to in the owner's manual.



You could hide an original key inside the truck and just use your cheap non-transponder copy to open the door and then use the original transponder key hidden in your truck to start & go. That is what I do.

 

[Bob4x4]

I asked my dealer the same question and they said they could not disable the feature. (That doesn't mean that it can't be done, though).



You can buy transponder key blanks without the remote on ebay fairly cheap. The transponder part is encased in plastic and is waterproof. If you still have both original keys you can program a new key yourself. It tells how to in the owner's manual.



You could hide an original key inside the truck and just use your cheap non-transponder copy to open the door and then use the original transponder key hidden in your truck to start & go. That is what I do.

Well Jimbob I just told you why it can't be done :-laf :-laf Have you tryed a pre 06 skim key on an 06? No didn't think so... ... ... ... ... .



Bob

 

[RogersM]

You could hide an original key inside the truck and just use your cheap non-transponder copy to open the door and then use the original transponder key hidden in your truck to start & go. That is what I do.

That's my easy answer too. .



Mark

 

[jelag]

I've been looking for 2 items... . a new key that has the power lock/unlock option like the factory key... . discounted at some place other than the dealer... . is there such a source..... with the transponder..... just like what was delivered with the vehicle... ... on my Honda, this key is $150 from the dealer but I was able to find a dealer that discounted them for $35. 00. Do we have a dealer doing this.....

OR

I'd like a key fob with the lock/unlock feature that I can carry and I'd hide a factory key in the truck with the transponder but without the lock/unlock feature..... Has any one tired to program the old style key fob for the new trucks... . I noticed that in the manual for my 04 truck is the program instructions for the key fob alone..... and in the new truck there is programing for the key with the transponder, but it says nothing about the lock/unlock function (programing)

This made lots of sense to me when I thought about it, but wonder if it reads right... ... . lets hope so... ... Thanks Guys... .

 

[JimBob24]

Well Jimbob I just told you why it can't be done :-laf :-laf Have you tryed a pre 06 skim key on an 06? No didn't think so... ... ... ... ... .



Bob

You and I must have been posting at the same time. I did not read your post before I made mine. You apparently understand the system and I know I sure don't! I accept the fact that you can't disable the SKIM feature. My comment mostly was based on the fact that the dealer has told me you can't do other things which I later found out could be done.



I do know that there is an IC number and an FCC ID number on the factory key and as long as you have a blank with those numbers, irregardless of the part number, you can program them to work.



I bought a transponder key on ebay which stated it would work on the following vehicles:

2005-2006-2007 Durango, Dakota, Magnum

2004-2005-2006-2007 Grand Caravan SE, LE

2006-2007 Caliber, RAM

2007 Nitro, Avenger.



It worked fine on my '06.

 

[CTRice]

Why don't you just lock the transponder key in the truck, hidden under something, and just put the hardware store key around your neck and use it to open the door of the truck. Am I missing something here??

 

[Sean Flanagan]

I've orderd a couple of blank transponder keys, without the remote, off of e-bay for $35. 00. The guy there says that they will work with my '07 and that I can program them myself and have the hardware store or lock smith cut them. I did find out that a maximum 8 different transponder keys can be programmed. After that, you have to take the truck to the dealer to allow a different set of 8 keys.



With just the transponder key, I don't have to worry about opening the door with one key and starting the truck with another.



I may not even use the big key with the remote anymore. It is a big lump in my pocket and I am always setting off the stupid alarm and / or locking and unlocking the doors when I lean against something or have something else in my pocket. The buttons should be recessed more, but that is another story.



Thanks for the help and advice,



Sean

 

[Bob4x4]

Another note ,don't drop the fancy key. The battery holder may brake off rendering it JUNCK.



Bob

 

[Sean Flanagan]

I'm sure it's made in China by the lowest bidder!

 

[DBentley]

best way to get away from the chip key is to buy a st model. Wish I did. I hate that big fat stupid key with buttons that always get pressed. :{

Some one will figure out how to dissable soon i hope.

Im thinking leaving it in the ignition and taking my chances

 

[Regcabguy]

Size matters.

I've orderd a couple of blank transponder keys, without the remote, off of e-bay for $35. 00. The guy there says that they will work with my '07 and that I can program them myself and have the hardware store or lock smith cut them. I did find out that a maximum 8 different transponder keys can be programmed. After that, you have to take the truck to the dealer to allow a different set of 8 keys.



With just the transponder key, I don't have to worry about opening the door with one key and starting the truck with another.



I may not even use the big key with the remote anymore. It is a big lump in my pocket and I am always setting off the stupid alarm and / or locking and unlocking the doors when I lean against something or have something else in my pocket. The buttons should be recessed more, but that is another story.



Thanks for the help and advice,



Sean

Sean,I'm with you on the "lump of coal" size of these sentry keys. I'm going to contact a local locksmith and see if he can sell me a transponder blank key. Thanks for the info.

 

[Jeepr]

As someone already mentioned, this is known as "Sentry Key". I have it on my 05 CTD and 01 Jeep. I'm also told, but have not witnessed, that if you had tried that starting/dying too many times, it would have shut down entirely and had to be reset by a dealer.



At least my 01/05 key isn't as big as the one you guys have in the 06+. The 05 was still a separate key and remote.