automate 553, 2003 Dodge Dakota

i looked up the Automate install guide off of the DEI website, and used those program instructions.  However, on the install manual, it says the 553 should have the 476 remote. 

When I called the DEI folks, they said it should be the 491 based on the date code. 

When I tried to program it, i tried 2 different ways.  First, I held the valet till it beeped, then hit it the number of times accordingly then held the following one, and i would hit the remote button.  It is supposed to chirp I believe if it takes, and it didnt chirp. 

The other way I tried, was just hitting the valet the number of times, and then holding the following one, then hit the button, still no luck. 

So, I am guessing its something with the date code.  Just not sure how.

There were two versions of the 553 and they did program differently. The easyiest way to tell which you have is to look at the relays for the remote start function. If they are just a group of 4 relays tied together it's 1st gen, if it is a small black box with the fat wires going to a white plug it's 2nd(and now called an AM7). The 1st had gray remotes(476 i thought) and the second had black(491). I'm pretty sure i've used both remotes on either gen RS, so they should work. The first gen is

key on, door open, press valet 8 times and hold, press lock on remote, turn key off

The second gen is

key on, open door, pressvalet 1 time and hold, press lock on remote, turn key off.

This program sequence should program all buttons to thier factory settings.

ok, when you say 8 times, does that mean hold on the 8th, or hold on the ninth?

Hello,

I have an AutoMate 553 alarm/remote start on my 03 Dodge.  Its been working great, then all of a sudden, yesterday, both of my remotes stopped working.  However, every once an hour or so, the alarm would respond when I hit a button on the remote, but thats it.  Then this morning, when I woke up, the remote start worked, and I was able to disarm the alarm with the remote.  But then I got to work, and it wouldnt respond again. 

I sat in the truck trying to re-program it, and when I would hit the arm button on the remote, sometimes it would arm, but only after i would hit disarm, and there was an extra chirp afterwards. 

I have changed batteries on both remotes.  Let me also say that, yesterday at Xmas, my nephew was playing around with my remote, and the alarm hasnt been the same since.  I have now erased the remotes from the alarm memory, thinking i could just reprogram them, but now the alarm doesnt even recognize the remote! 

Am I in some sort of wierd safety mode or something?   Any help is mucho appreciated.

Yes, it is. Please do not create duplicate topics about this alarm in this vehicle.

the12volt • Support the12volt.com

Understood.  I created a different topic only b/c it is a different problem.  I understand now to stay within the same vehicle as the topic.  Sorry and thank you.

So my last post is the latest problem I am having.  Can anyone help with this? 

P.S. The LED is not lit at all.  And when I try to program the remotes, the alarm does chirp as if it is ready to receive from the remote.