’05 dodge grand caravan remote start

Hi all, I'm planning to install a remote start in my wife's 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan minivan. My first question is, do I need a transponder key for the remote start bypass?

We bought the vehicle used and only got one key with it, that looks like this:


In my research so far, it looks like this is NOT a Transponder Key, so I shouldn't have to worry about it. For reference, I believe the transponder equivalent for my van would be this:


Again to be clear... we have a black key with buttons for keyless entry built-in. Does this mean I don't need to purchase a remote start kit with a Bypass Kit?

For instance (just the first thing I found on eBay for less than $50 lol)...
Ebay link - basic 1-way remote start

Thanks for any replies to help me out!

This is from a Town and Country I did a while back:

https://www.the12volt.com/installbay /forum_posts.asp? tid=128558&KW=smokeman1

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Thanks for the link, having a quick read through now. I do see one comment on the Bulldog Security website that is linked in the thread, and it seems to indicate that ALL Dodge Caravans (04-07) require a bypass kit, regardless of key type. Do you agree with this?

You did not include your location in you member info but due to the EBay.CA R/S listing, I am guessing it's Canada. While I am not 100% positive, I believe all cars manufactured for sale in Canada have a immobilizer system after a certain date ( 2001 ?? Any Installers from Canada, please jump in ). I also think the Gray / Black key rule went out when they started using the "all-in-one" key assembly. I do know that that style key (with the RKE controls ) can / does have the transponder chip inside.

Here is a way to check for a transponder system without ripping the vehicle apart. Tightly wrap the entire black plastic part of the key with many ( 5 ) layers of aluminum foil. Leave only the metal key-blade exposed. Try to start the van while watching the instrument cluster. If the van won't start and there is a Red Dot or some kind of "Security" light on or flashing, you have a transponder chip in the key.

There are many good bypass modules for your van that can save you many hours of install time. These bypass modules do more that just bypass the transponder system. You will need to do some research before buying a R/S system and bypass module. Things like power sliding doors and Factory Alarm system should be taken into account. R/S units that have a built in Parking Light relay w/isolation might be desirable.

Your main concern, if you find your van has a transponder based engine immobilizer system, will be to ensure that the bypass module you get can be programmed with only one working key. ( You typically need two working keys to program additional keys & some bypass modules and you only have one key. With only one key, you would have to go to a dealer ( or fully equipped locksmith ) to get another key made. Clone keys, while they will run the van, will not allow you to program / add more keys.)


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Soldering is fun!

In the states models the key you show SHOULD have a transponder. Both keys you show in fact should. The black key that does NOT have one looks like the grey key but is much flatter and obviously just metal and plastic. That is how the US models are anyways.

The aluminum foil trick Kreg describes above will tell you for sure.

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Key you have should have transponder. Easy way to find out go to hardware store get a generic 2 dollar key cut and see if it starts

I recommend avital 4113 for your install

Yeah I would also recommend atleast a 4113. Or another good brand other than bulldog.

Heck, not to hi-jack this thread but...
I had a 2006 Caravan as a work van that I installed a Bulldog RS1100 in, using all relays ( MUX Start and locks ) and a blank programmed transponder key in a box that worked flawlessly for 4 years & over 100k miles.
But the Avital 41x3 units do have some better features.   

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Soldering is fun!

Hmmm thanks for all the input. The Avital 4113 looks very interesting, so would I need any additional hardware to work with my single transponder key setup?

From my reading and other research, I'm about 99% certain I'll need to bypass the factory immobilizer but I might try the tin-foil test to be certain.

The aluminum foil test is easy, inexpensive and non-invasive.   If your minivan does not have the
Sentry system, your R/S install needs will change.

If you plan on keeping this minivan for a while and will be driven by you and the Mrs., transporting
the family around, I would find the money to go to the dealer and get a standard ( non-RKE ) key
made and programmed to the vehicle. There are several good reasons :
1. You only have one key, if you loose it, you are SOL.
2. With two working, non-clone keys you can buy two more blank transponder keys off EBay for $13,
get them cut for $4 and program them yourself. ( You can have a total of 8 keys programmed.)

With these working, plain keys you have more options when adding the remote start / bypass
module.

The Avital 4113 is a one button R/S system. You will still use your Factory Key FOB's buttons to
control the locks. The 4113 does have the capability to unlock the vehicle during the remote start
run time ( with a bypass module that supports the locks or a DEI 451M module ). Something to think
about : If your van has power sliding door(s), certain bypass modules can allow you to control them
with the after-market remote starter's FOB.   This would be very handy if using a standard key ( non-RKE ).

If you have a transponder immobilizer system and only one working key, you will need a bypass
module and this bypass module must be able to be programmed with one key.

Which bypass module your choose will depend on your budget and available sources.

My first choice would be the iDatalink ADS DL or ADS AL CA flashed with the DL CH6 firmware.
Typical cost will be around $60 and you must obtain the module from a source that will flash it
for you with the DL CH6 firmware prior to shipment. Using this bypass module will eliminate the
need for a 30/40 Amp SPDT relay and a 180 ohm resistor that is used for the Starter MUX wire.
More info is available at :
https://cdncontent2.idatalink.com/corporate/ Content/Manuals/DL-CH6/ ADS-AL(DL)-CH6_20110829.pdf

The Fortin EVO-ALL is a good choice but also needs to flashed with the correct / specific firmware for
your application. It is even possible to flash it with firmware that will support the Avital 4113's D2D port.
The best / safest route is with W2W connections between the Avital and bypass module. In W2W mode
you will need the Starter MUX relay and resistor mentioned above. Here is a link for more info :
https://ifar.ca/download/9501/ evo-all_chrysler_dodge_jeep. rev-20130527.pdf

XpressKit makes the DB-ALL and XK09 bypass modules that can be flashed with the correct firmware
and used on your minivan. I am not real familiar with these bypass modules. Here is a link to their site :
https://www.xpresskit.com/ VehicleCompatibility.aspx? p=null&year=2005 &make=Dodge/Ram &model=Grand%20Caravan &ps=1&s=0&c=0

Another option is from Fortin. Their INT-SL+ comes preloaded with firmware and is a solid unit.
Here is the install guide for this module : https://ifar.ca/download/3966/ int-sl%2B_installation_guide. rev-20120308.pdf

As you can see, there are many options and ways to make this upgrade to your minivan.

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Soldering is fun!