remote went swimming, and the car broke

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Security and Convenience
Forum Discription: Car Alarms, Keyless Entries, Remote Starters, Immobilizer Bypasses, Sensors, Door Locks, Window Modules, Heated Mirrors, Heated Seats, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=134815
Printed Date: May 12, 2025 at 4:44 AM

Topic: remote went swimming, and the car broke

Posted By: stevish
Subject: remote went swimming, and the car broke
Date Posted: August 31, 2013 at 2:11 PM

So I went in the lake with my keys on me, including my 474T remote for my Viper 160xv system. When I got home, I tried the remote. The lights flash and I hear some clicking from the dash (not the door-lock click though). However, the doors won't lock or unlock. That wasn't all that surprising, but here's where the mystery comes in:

My wife's remote won't lock the car either... not even the lock switch on the card door itself will do anything! And to make it more confusing, the remote start button on my remote still functions just fine. So I can start the car from my bedroom, but I can't lock the doors no matter where I'm standing.

Whenever I start or turn off the car there's a lot of clicking from the dash area, and the little blue light flashes a lot.

Anyone have any ideas? This is completely over my head.

Replies:

Posted By: stevish
Date Posted: August 31, 2013 at 2:11 PM

The car is a 2005 Dodge Caravan

Posted By: chev104275
Date Posted: August 31, 2013 at 4:49 PM

Did you try removing the batteries from the remote that went swimming ? It could be that one of the buttons on the remote are shorted and transmitting all the time causing issues with the car.

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If i Can't Install it I Don't need it Joe

Posted By: stevish
Date Posted: August 31, 2013 at 8:15 PM

Great thought! I never would have thought of that.

Unfortunately, that wasn't the issue. I tried removing the battery, but the problem still existed.

Something else I've noticed is that the blue light under the dash lights up solid for a long time after I turn the car off. If I push the button a couple times it turns off. I have no idea what that's about. Is there a troubleshooting guide for this kind of thing? The troubleshooting section of the installation guide is only for remote start issues, which are the only types of issues I do not have. posted_image

Posted By: stevish
Date Posted: September 01, 2013 at 1:59 PM

Problem Fixed!

Apparently my swimming with the remote was a coincidence, because 2005 Caravan's have issues with the BCM (whatever that is). The temporary fix is to pull the IOD fuse (in the fuse box under the hood as there is no internal fuse box) and put it back in. Problem solved!

Posted By: racerjames76
Date Posted: September 03, 2013 at 1:25 PM

I was going to suggest there may be vehicle issues, but it seems you have already reached that conclusion. By the way BCM is Body Control Module. The computer that controls everything inside the van from door locks to interior lights and transponder key decoding (with help from other modules or micro computers). Basically everything electrical inside the van goes through the BCM first. posted_image

Anyways good luck with the repair.

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To master and control electricity is perfection. *evil laugh*