red light

[mjpbullz]

I have a 06 and was wandering what the red light is that is next to the temp guage that comes on when i first start my truck? thanks Monty

 

[Hoefler]

If I remembering correctly from when I had my 05, it has something to do with the throttle circuit. Check your owners manual, I know it is in there, that is where I found it.

 

[HBarlow]

I believe that is the key security system. It requires you to use an OEM Dodge key blank to drive the truck.

When my '06 was new I was on the road fulltime and in and out of the truck in strange places every day so I stopped at Wal-Mart and had several spare keys made. I was thinking I'd keep the key with a fob in my pocket and use a plain key. I went out and started the truck and as soon as it reached idle speed it shut down. It did the same three or four times until I realized that mysterious red light was lighted. I got the owners manual out and did a quick scan and realized the system could not be fooled.

I then tried taping an OEM key under the dash or nearby. No deal. The theft security system rejected all of my half-assed ideas.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I think it's part of the optional security system.

 

[HBarlow]

My trucks have all been SLTs with no optional security system. My '06 and my current '08 have the same key security system which prevents use of a key other than an OEM key with the security transmitter programmed to the VIN.

 

[Kirwin]

Keys and security systems

I researched this when I got my 03. There are actually two installed security systems "preinstalled" on my truck. One is the key, this systems works as follows: the truck has an antenna built into the key illumination circle which is part of the ignition key switch. This system reads an electronic signature Security Key Immobliizer "SKIM" code from a chip that is embedded in the plastic head of the key and is codded for that specific truck's computer. If my memory serves this code is stored in the trucks ECU and can be programmed using the DRB tool or a key can be added using a process from the owners manual. The second system is part of the ECU: the ECU has the software for the trucks factory security system preinstalled and just needs the requisite switches and sensors to be added and the system enabled using either the DRB tool or using the process as spelled out in the installation package for the switches/sensors that the security system uses. Basically the system uses the instrument cluster computer and anything that wakes up the cluster triggers the alarm. The red light is the telltale light that flashes when enabling or disabling the security system during system setup and turns on when the ECU shuts down the truck on an anti theft feature. This would occur if you used a key that had an incorrect SKIM code for the truck or a key blank with no SKIM at all such as a key blank made at Lowes that was intended to only unlock the trucks door. Use of this key in an attempt to start the truck results in the truck starting normally but when the ECU doesn't read the proper SKIM code within 2 seconds, the ECU shuts down the truck and if the security system was enabled and the alarm was set, would also result in an alarm of the trucks security system. Note that if the truck does not have the factory alarm system enabled, the red telltale light being lit on the dash and the truck quitting would be the only indications that the ECU had shut the truck down on an anti theft feature.

 

[Albert]

I think the red lights indicate the security alarm in your truck i think in most of the vehicle the light remain blinking after the door locked or the security system is active so what you say about that why they blinking than?