Ignition key question - yet why are house keys so easily understood?

2005ViperRam

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Somewhere in the past, my ignition switch was replaced. How do I know?
I went to Dodge and got the key code for my truck. I wanted a 1st generation key, and not a key cut from a key, that was cut from another key, which was cut from yet another key. I took the key code to the local locksmith and they cut a non-transponder key. The locksmith told me that after years of being a locksmith he wanted to make sure the key would turn everything. Sure enough, the key opened the door, but would not turn the ignition. Somewhere in its past the ignition switch was replaced. I now want the ignition code to match what the Dodge records say.

Since the key transponder matches the ECM, and not the ignition lock itself, my question is can the existing key transponders be reprogrammed, or, is it a one shot thing? I.e once programmed it can it be programmed again or do I need to buy more keys?

At least my house keys are easily understood, both pinks in the front door, and the brown in the back door.
 

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Somewhere in the past, my ignition switch was replaced. How do I know?
I went to Dodge and got the key code for my truck. I wanted a 1st generation key, and not a key cut from a key, that was cut from another key, which was cut from yet another key. I took the key code to the local locksmith and they cut a non-transponder key. The locksmith told me that after years of being a locksmith he wanted to make sure the key would turn everything. Sure enough, the key opened the door, but would not turn the ignition. Somewhere in its past the ignition switch was replaced. I now want the ignition code to match what the Dodge records say.

Since the key transponder matches the ECM, and not the ignition lock itself, my question is can the existing key transponders be reprogrammed, or, is it a one shot thing? I.e once programmed it can never be programmed again or do I need to buy more keys?

At least my house keys are easily understood, both pinks in the front door, and the brown in the back door.
No idea , mine just goes into the door and ignition switch and all works fine lol I don’t even know if it has a transponder .. educate me please !
 
Somewhere in the past, my ignition switch was replaced. How do I know?
I went to Dodge and got the key code for my truck. I wanted a 1st generation key, and not a key cut from a key, that was cut from another key, which was cut from yet another key. I took the key code to the local locksmith and they cut a non-transponder key. The locksmith told me that after years of being a locksmith he wanted to make sure the key would turn everything. Sure enough, the key opened the door, but would not turn the ignition. Somewhere in its past the ignition switch was replaced. I now want the ignition code to match what the Dodge records say.

Since the key transponder matches the ECM, and not the ignition lock itself, my question is can the existing key transponders be reprogrammed, or, is it a one shot thing? I.e once programmed it can it be programmed again or do I need to buy more keys?

At least my house keys are easily understood, both pinks in the front door, and the brown in the back door.
Pink and brown - easy! The rest yikes!!!
 
No idea , mine just goes into the door and ignition switch and all works fine lol I don’t even know if it has a transponder .. educate me please !
Isnt the transponder the fob part of the key assembly?
 
Lets back up....you have a 2005. Do you have black keys or gray keys?
 
Ok so the chip in the key is picked up by the SKIM (sentry key immobilizer module). If you crack open the column, this is the module sitting right there with a ring around the key switch. Your keys are paired to the SKIM and the SKIM is what it is paired to the ECM/PCM. The actual ignition switch has no role to play in this. As long as you don't mess with the SKIM new keys can be paired to it. Once a SKIM is paired to an ECM/PCM and it can't be paired to another one. This is where alot of people fuck up when they decide to get a junkyard column to try to solve other problems.
 
Ok so the chip in the key is picked up by the SKIM (sentry key immobilizer module). If you crack open the column, this is the module sitting right there with a ring around the key switch. Your keys are paired to the SKIM and the SKIM is what it is paired to the ECM/PCM. The actual ignition switch has no role to play in this. As long as you don't mess with the SKIM new keys can be paired to it. Once a SKIM is paired to an ECM/PCM and it can't be paired to another one. This is where alot of people fuck up when they decide to get a junkyard column to try to solve other problems.
So is their some sort of chip or something in the key itself to pair .. how do you pair them ? My key appears to just be a normal usual key ?
 
So is their some sort of chip or something in the key itself to pair .. how do you pair them ? My key appears to just be a normal usual key ?
Embedded chip in the thick plastic gray housing around top if key is my understanding - but hey I'm no expert for sure
 
Embedded chip in the thick plastic gray housing around top if key is my understanding - but hey I'm no expert for sure
I’ll have to check it out by cutting the rubber / Plastic off hahaha

It is gray …..I don’t use the key fob at the moment since I have a short still slowly draining my battery and I removed a fuse !
image.jpg
 
Somewhere in the past, my ignition switch was replaced. How do I know?
I went to Dodge and got the key code for my truck. I wanted a 1st generation key, and not a key cut from a key, that was cut from another key, which was cut from yet another key. I took the key code to the local locksmith and they cut a non-transponder key. The locksmith told me that after years of being a locksmith he wanted to make sure the key would turn everything. Sure enough, the key opened the door, but would not turn the ignition. Somewhere in its past the ignition switch was replaced. I now want the ignition code to match what the Dodge records say.

Since the key transponder matches the ECM, and not the ignition lock itself, my question is can the existing key transponders be reprogrammed, or, is it a one shot thing? I.e once programmed it can it be programmed again or do I need to buy more keys?

At least my house keys are easily understood, both pinks in the front door, and the brown in the back door.
I snagged my last Girlfriends pink Florence's fingernail paint for my Dakota keys since I change the ignition switch .. pink for door !
 
Embedded chip in the thick plastic gray housing around top if key is my understanding - but hey I'm no expert for sure
Correct.

how do you pair them ? My key appears to just be a normal usual key ?
There is a process in the scan tool. The SKIM detects the chip in the key and sends a signal to the PCM to allow it to run. If you try to start a vehicle with the wrong key too many times the SKIM will lock the PCM.
 
Ok so the chip in the key is picked up by the SKIM (sentry key immobilizer module). If you crack open the column, this is the module sitting right there with a ring around the key switch.

Outstanding info HemiLonestar!
I always wondered how it worked. You explained it really well.
The ignition key I have doesn’t match the code from Dodge. I want the code exactly the same to match the correct door code/key (i.e. I don’t want to carry two different keys).

One thing I don’t understand is, the SKIM is hard coded to the PCM, and I assume the only way to recode the PCM with a new key code is to send it in, which would cost a fortune.

However, since the transponder in the key head is programmable (per the owners manual), the only thing I think I need is a new transponder chip (which they say is a 4D 64). What I’m not sure of is can that chip be reprogrammed? Kind-of like your computer memory, you have Read Only Memory (ROM) which can never be reprogrammed because the code (IOS) is “burned into the chip”, and you have Random Access Memory (RAM) which is where all your downloads temporary stores stuff and it can write over-and-over again.

So can a key head transponder be reprogrammed?
 
btw: I know years from now someone might search and read this thread.
They will say “why doesn’t the guy just go to a locksmith?”

The answer is my curious mind wants to know how this stuff actually operates. The other reason is a locksmith will cost about $140 to remove the ignition lock and re-pin it, and the keys are $29 each for the key and programming. If you get 5 keys (which I think is the max you can have) that’s $145 in keys alone. (remember the keys that come with the lock will not match the code I need.)

Five keys from eBay is $14.95 (S2.99 each x 5). Big difference.
 
btw: I know years from now someone might search and read this thread.
They will say “why doesn’t the guy just go to a locksmith?”

The answer is my curious mind wants to know how this stuff actually operates. The other reason is a locksmith will cost about $140 to remove the ignition lock and re-pin it, and the keys are $29 each for the key and programming. If you get 5 keys (which I think is the max you can have) that’s $145 in keys alone. (remember the keys that come with the lock will not match the code I need.)

Five keys from eBay is $14.95 (S2.99 each x 5). Big difference.
Can the key system be bypassed.. I’m sure someone can figure that out
 
Can the key system be bypassed.. I’m sure someone can figure that out
People are saying you can remove the transponder from the key, and tape to the inside near the lock by just going through the gear shift rubber boot.
You won’t have the protection of the transponder then, but in today’s era, thieves just crack the steering column anyways and just tow the truck away.
I want to keep mine just as it came from the factory.
 
People are saying you can remove the transponder from the key, and tape to the inside near the lock by just going through the gear shift rubber boot.
You won’t have the protection of the transponder then, but in today’s era, thieves just crack the steering column anyways and just tow the truck away.
I want to keep mine just as it came from the factory.
I’ve seen the snatch and grab tow trucks in action in my neighborhood,, freaking HOA put them up to it in the middle of the night when someone parks on the streets ( HOA BS rule) If I caught of those SOBS I would go after them loaded for bear .. doing that s total BS .. to me it’s nothing but stealing … sneaky ass POS !
 

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