"Damaged Key"

[favord]

Went to start truck, 2011 3500 auto, this morning, opened door and alarms were going off - WTH? Flashing on the display is "Key in Ignition" then "Damaged Key". Of course the ignition key is really the key fob deal so tried it in the ignition and nothing happens. This is a new one on me... anyone had this happen and if so, the fix?? Disconnected the batteries for 10" but didn't change anything.

 

[Jim W]

I believe this is part of the anti-theft device on the vehicle. I believe the ECM has lost communication with the key fob. You will need to get the truck to the dealer and have him reset the ECM to recognize both key fobs.

I believe this is explained in the O & M guide.

Jim W.

 

[favord]

Thanks for the reply. First thing I did when I got the code was pull out the manual and it talked a little about faulty fobs - didn't quite sound like what I had going on. Anyway, dealer sent out a tow truck, tow truck driver jumped in and got the same deal - "Damaged Key". Nothing worked when you turned the key so he pretty much drug it with a winch onto the tow bed and hauled it to the dealer, drug it back off the tow, service guy ran out and it started right up... WTH??? They interrogated it, looked at it, started it - found nothing. Not even any trouble codes which amazes me since the thing was telling me something was wrong. I'm not convinced it's the key fobs themselves since the truck was giving me the messages before I even put a key fob in it. I'm baffled to say the least and not too damn confident in the dang thing. I'm out in "the middle of nowhere" alot and not too keen on being stranded by computer gremlins. They kept it overnight and will try and fire it up again in the morning. If it works, my wife is going to run it down to the dealer we got it from as well whom we've had real good service from before and have them give it the lookover as well... I've never been particularly impressed with the local dealer where it is at now.

 

[Alan Reagan]

Did it do it with the second FOB as well?



It sounds like the ECM has lost the code.



When you get it fixed, make sure you get the ignition key PIN and write it down. You need that for times like this. The dealer can get it for you or you can go to the MYGIG website and get it.

 

[favord]

Well, we've been stranded two more times with this thing. One time we disconnected the batteries, let it sit, re-hooked up and it started. This morning go to start up, the display is saying "Key in Ignition" and door chimes going off. The key was in my hand. Put key in ignition and display changed to "Damaged Key"... and nothing works. Same with both key fobs. Have unhooked/re-hooked batteries and nothing. I'm thinking it has to be the ignition module or something along those lines... not sure what all is between the key and the starter on these things nowadays...

Anybody else experience this? With any make of vehicle that uses these ridiculous key setups??

 

[favord]

Doesn't sound like anyone's really encountered this one yet so I'll just document as we go in case it does come up for someone else. Still no great answers as to the why's of it not working. The actual owner of the dealership I bought the truck from came to my house with a truck for me to use while mine is on the kahootz. He jumped in my truck and "I'll be damned, it doesn't work". We retried unhooking/rehooking the batteries with about every combo of key on/key off/key in/key out/etc we could and ultimately we left the key in the ignition (since that's what the display was telling us was the case anyway), unhooked the batts, rehooked the batts, and it fired right up. He took it back to the shop, left me the loaner complete with gooseneck hitch so we could hook up the dump trailer and horse trailer to get done what we were trying to get done. Wish the thing wasn't broke but appreciating the diligence from the place we bought it - we'll see what they come up with.



The local dealer where we took it last time this happened couldn't find anything - in their write up on the warranty form for list of reasons it didn't work #1 was owner must have used wrong key... WTF??? I almost jumped the counter when they told me that one!!

 

[AfterBurner]

Glad to hear the dealership is trying to take of you. Keep us posted on what happens, I'm sure someone else will have this problem before too long.



BTW... how many other keys like that do you have?? How could you use the wrong one if the only ones you have are for your truck?

 

[amsoilman]

I had my "spare" key fob in for programing,as it would not work for some reason. When the dealer tried to re-program it, it would not program to the truck, so they got another key fob and tried programing that one. It would not program either! The key fob I had in my pocket would work every time. They said the computer was saying the key fob that they were trying to replace was not talking to the computer in the truck and was essentially in the "locked out mode" , so they replaced the computer, and then they were able to program both key fob's.
I'm not trusting these new so called keys! I certainly hope I don't get out somewhere and have a problem with these so called keys!

 

[favord]

BTW... how many other keys like that do you have?? How could you use the wrong one if the only ones you have are for your truck?

Exactly, that was a goodun - the "keys" that came with the truck are the only ones I have like that.

I'm not trusting these new so called keys!

Yah, I didn't give it much thought when I bought the thing, just sort of chuckled with the "what will they think of next?" attitude. Reality set in quick that if the key fob breaks/goes dead/gets lost/etc. , you're stuck. Doesn't give me a whole lot of relief having a "hide-a-key" stashed outside the truck for the occasional emergency if all it does is let me in the truck. I've been stashing the extra key fob inside the truck for emergencies... . unfortunately the emergency is the key fobs!

 

[goodguys75]

dodge has the worst fobs..... the early fobs were awsome... .