Factory Alarm

[mlewis73]

What does the factory security system offer? Any reason not to go with it? I'd rather have a factory installation than someone's chop job at an alarm shop down the street...





Mike

 

[Matt400]

I have had both in 3rd gens and prefer the factory sentry key set up. Its better for vehicle theft where the aftermarket stuff is better for break in alerts.



Depends on what you need. I don't have valuables laying around in site nor a fancy stereo head unit so my concern is with theft of the entire vehicle.

 

[Bob4x4]

The factory also has an add-on system that will work along side of the sentry key,the sentry key system can also be added



Bob

 

[Tejasdge]

Has anyone installed the Mopar add-on interior protection?

Can it be self installed or does it require a dealer install. This is the unit I am looking at;



http://www.moparsupercenter.com/Default.aspx?url=PartsDetail.aspx&MakeID=7&PartID=15863



Has anyone found a better price than this? I would much rather spend a hundred bucks on this with shipping if it works ok, than over 5 bills on an aftermarket system that hacks up the trucks wiring and might compromise the sentry key, the best feature of the factory system. I really want to be able to install it myself.



Thanks,



Pete

 

[MFalkinham]

Can it be self installed or does it require a dealer install. This is the unit I am looking at;

http://www.moparsupercenter.com/Default.aspx?url=PartsDetail.aspx&MakeID=7&PartID=15863

Has anyone found a better price than this? I would much rather spend a hundred bucks on this with shipping if it works ok, than over 5 bills on an aftermarket system that hacks up the trucks wiring and might compromise the sentry key, the best feature of the factory system. I really want to be able to install it myself.

Thanks,

Pete

I had the IT-S installed along with my Sentry Key system as a kit by the dealer. I ended up disabling the IT-S due to constant false alarms. If you adjust the sensitivity down to prevent the false alarms, then it won't activate when a real break-in occurs. I leave mine disconnected, but can always hook it back up if I need to leave the truck in a questionable area.

- Mike

 

[Tejasdge]

This doesn't inspire confidence. Anyone else with experiences, good or bad?

 

[Bob4x4]

It is also trigered by any door opening. The shock sensor is just like any other alarm shock sensor,,,,,,,,,,no better no worse. I would recomend a dealer install. Anything that ties into the computor is a risk,let them take it. If they install it will be covered under the 3/36. You install,it is only 12/12.



Bob

 

[Hercules130]

if you have the sentry then you can't get the remote start.

 

[Matt400]

It is also trigered by any door opening.

Just to clarify. . the Sentry Key system does that through the horn so you don't need the shock sensor add on.



With the Sentry Key, if a window is broken no horn will sound but if they reach in and open a door it will sound.

 

[MCrossley]

Who told you that?

You have been misled my friend you certainly can have remote start with a sentry key...

if you have the sentry then you can't get the remote start.

 

[Tejasdge]

It is also trigered by any door opening. The shock sensor is just like any other alarm shock sensor,,,,,,,,,,no better no worse. I would recomend a dealer install. Anything that ties into the computor is a risk,let them take it. If they install it will be covered under the 3/36. You install,it is only 12/12.



Bob

I'm at 60k, so no need to worry about warranty. The canned write-up on the IT-S states that it uses infrared technology. Does it need to be mounted in a special location or are they just throwing around buzz words?



I would love to add a factory remote start, but it looks like it wasn't offered until 04 as an add on and I have an '03. Anyone know any different?

 

[Matt400]

Hrmm... a quick google turned up this site:

http://www.wyckoff-mopar-parts.com/mofarest.html



Where you can get the factory remote start, wire harness and Sentry module for 300

Probably an easy plug in install and the only thing left would be a trip to the dealer for the chip keys and a program with the DRB.

Something for the 04-05 owners to consider.



The only thing I don't like is another fob on my key chain.

 

[MCrossley]

Matt is correct

the only thing the dealer has to do is enable VTSS and SKIM on the ECM the rest you could do yourself, it is not too "plug & play" but it is not that hard either.

 

[Matt400]

the only thing the dealer has to do is enable VTSS and SKIM on the ECM the rest you could do yourself

What about the keys?

I know if you have the Sentry you can program more keys on your own using a key you have but starting with no keys requires a dealer function doesn't it?

 

[Matt400]

Actually I may be reading that link wrong, The 39. 95 Sentry Interface Module is probably a module to interface with a current Sentry module for the Remote start system. I was thinking it might actually be the Sentry module... wishful thinking.



edit Hey, wait a minute. . SKIM - "Sentry Key Immobilizer Module. " Do you think that possibly the non Sentry trucks have this module and its simply not enabled?



I know I bought an SLT 02 1500 (same 3rd gen body style) that didn't have auto door locks (no fob) but was a simple fix with an OEM module that plugged into the back of the cluster so that was extra.



I did confirm with the people at the link I post about the Sentry Key Interface Module and it is a module that interfaces with the SKIM so this is for trucks that already have the Sentry Key.

 

[Turley]

On my early 04 my 10 yr. old was in the cab at the campground after dark and accidently hit the door locks, then opened the door from the inside, at 11:30 at night. The alarm woke the entire campground(those who where sleeping)before I could shut it off from the boat at about 250 yds. away, it works fine for me.

 

[JVantreese]

Viper offers a neat system

I like the Viper system because it offers a two way transmitter so that I get notice if any alarm is set. The display also lets me know if the system is armed or not. This feature is great when I am in the local MartMart and can not remember if I hit the button on the remote as I walked away from my parking place. I find that it has about 1000 yards range in the open and can usually be with in range when I stop for food and/or lodging. The remote start can be activated with a delay that is wired to the OEM ready light. It also includes a cool down delay for shut down so that the turbo will be happy in the morning. It has so many options that I would suggest professional install. It has worked great for the two years that I have had it. I did have the remote go bad after about 18 months and it cost me $70. to replace it. I quess I dropped it on the floor once too many times.

 

[Agandy]

Having dealer uninstall EVS2

I had the EVS2 with sentry key installed about 2 months ago. Within 2 weeks, the alarm activated when it was supposed to be turned off. On one occasion, the alarm went off and it wouldn't stop. I had to drive the truck away from the parking lot because it was attracting a crowd. (yes, I was driving the truck down the street with the horn honking and lights flashing - I guess the system doesn't have a starter disable switch!) After about 3 minutes of driving it finaloly stopped. I took it to the dealer the next day, the dealer couldn't duplicate the problem, but suspected that it was the door sensor - which they replaced.



Alarm was fine until I tried to start it last night at the airport parking lot. Apparently, it had repeatedly triggered over the 9 days it was parked, which left my batteries dead!



This alarm sucks, the dealers just slap them under the dash, without any kind of configuration. The infrafred system is a joke. As a test, I armed the system while I sat inside and waited for the alarm to arm. Then I moved around in the cab, no alarm. What kind of infrared doesn't detect a 220lb person moving around the inside of a truck?



I will keep the Sentry, but ditch the EVS2. By the way, the dealer has already tried to tell me that once the ITS is installed, it can't be removed, because it has already been imprinted into the computer.

 

[MFalkinham]

I had the EVS2 with sentry key installed about 2 months ago. Within 2 weeks, the alarm activated when it was supposed to be turned off. On one occasion, the alarm went off and it wouldn't stop. I had to drive the truck away from the parking lot because it was attracting a crowd. (yes, I was driving the truck down the street with the horn honking and lights flashing - I guess the system doesn't have a starter disable switch!) After about 3 minutes of driving it finaloly stopped. I took it to the dealer the next day, the dealer couldn't duplicate the problem, but suspected that it was the door sensor - which they replaced.

Alarm was fine until I tried to start it last night at the airport parking lot. Apparently, it had repeatedly triggered over the 9 days it was parked, which left my batteries dead!

This alarm sucks, the dealers just slap them under the dash, without any kind of configuration. The infrafred system is a joke. As a test, I armed the system while I sat inside and waited for the alarm to arm. Then I moved around in the cab, no alarm. What kind of infrared doesn't detect a 220lb person moving around the inside of a truck?

I will keep the Sentry, but ditch the EVS2. By the way, the dealer has already tried to tell me that once the ITS is installed, it can't be removed, because it has already been imprinted into the computer.

I believe it is the IT-S that is causing your false alarms. When it triggers, you should be able to shut it off using the panic button. However, that doesn't always work, and your options at that point are to disconnect the batteries or drive the truck over 15mph to deactivate. Believe me, I understand your embarassment, as mine went off at a major league baseball game once.

Look under your dashboard and find the IT-S sensor. Just disconnect the wire that runs from it into the EVS-II module and that should eliminate your false alarm problem. If you ever need the IT-S for some reason, you can just plug it in again. The IT-S does have a sliding sensitivity control on it, but I tried finding the right setting and finally gave up. I don't believe you can ditch the entire EVS-II and still keep the Sentry key system, as they are in the same unit.

I also disabled my keyfob panic buttons by opening each fob and putting electrical tape over the contacts. Since doing this and disconnecting the IT-S I've never had another false alarm.

 

[6 2 Carl]

I ordered my truck without an alarm with the intention of adding an aftermarket alarm. After a year and a half I never did get around to adding an alarm to it. To be honest I was a little intimidated by my truck. I have done several alarm installs on older vehicles, but with all the new electronics on this truck, I knew it wasn't going to be a simple install. I am not one to let other people work on my truck, especially the hacks at electronic shops.



So when I found out I could install a factory shock sensor, I bought the add on kit from my dealer. I got the kit with the sentry key and shock sensor. To my surprise my truck already had the sentry key, so it was just a matter of installing the shock sensor. The shock sensor is easy to install. You just have to splice into a couple of wires. To activate the alarm all you have to do is ground out a certain pin on the at the back of the gauge cluster. The kit includes a grounding wire, and the alarm activation instructions are written in the sentry key installation instructions. I overlooked this when I did my installation. However a quick call to my dealer clued me into this critical step.



This kit is a simple installation, and doesn't require a trip to the dealer to activate. So far I am pleased. I zipped tied my shock sensor to the steering column, and it seems to work well there. I have the sensitivity turned all the way up, and haven't had a false alarm. If I open the tailgate the alarm goes off, and moderate hit to the cab also sets it off as well. I am happy with it.



Carl