Printer Friendly Forum Posts - questions about DEI 555c

I have a 2003 Dodge Ram pick up with a 5.9 and had a viper 791 xv installed today. I provided the alarm, a proximity sensor, and a 555c for the alarm shop to install. This afternoon the install shop calls me and says they need another key so they can program the 555c. A few hours later theu call and say they cannot get the 555c to work because it is a 2003 model year truck and DEI tech line told them it only works on 2004. However when I did the search on this site I see many people using this bypass on older chryslers and that is doesnt work on some 2004 model year chryslers. What is the deal here should it work with my truck or not?

They put a key in box bypass in and I dont really like the idea of a theif finding the key and driving off with my truck.

Also a few more questions, Does the 555c bypass the sentry system all the time or just when the remote start is in use? Is there any advantage to using the 555c over the key in box type?

Sorry about the long post and thanks for the help,
Ryan

A 555c will work in the 2003 Ram.
It will not work on Dodge product that has the V2 of the sentry key (the remote headed key, and the ones with the S stamped into the shaft.) The shop would have needed both master keys to program the 555C.... the easiest trick is to do the tinfoil thing on one key when programming to ensure everything is powering up properly for the sequence (1st key, light out... 2nd key, light out, then back on with ding.... first key with the head wrapped in tinfoil so the car doesen't "see" the RFID chip with the 555C pellet paked beside it until light stops flashing and single ding.)
I believe there is a Directechs bulletin about using tinfoil... dunno the exact number (it's a method that we have been using for awhile)

Gus

-------------
Wherever I go, that is where I end up......

That is what I thought, they probably just had a hard time programming it so they made up an excuse to use the easy way out.

So does it bypass the chip all the time or just when using remote start?

Just during remote start. The integrety of the factory anti theft stays 100% effective at all times. It just makes the vehicle "think" there is a valid key in the ignition (well, in essence, there is.... just the RFID pellet, not the key as a whole). That is the beauty of modern bypass devices... the factory security is never really compromised, we just fool it to make it start.

Gus

-------------
Wherever I go, that is where I end up......

That is what I thought, they probably just had a hard time programming it so they made up an excuse to use the easy way out.

So does it bypass the chip all the time or just when using remote start?

oops, sorry my internet is being lame so I accidently tripple posted.

So what should I tell shop tomorrow? They are still going to put a back up siren and a tilt sensor in.

Thanks,
Ryan

I just had a 555C give me a hard time. Spent about 2 hours last night trying to get it programmed into the 04 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Finally gave up for the night. Went back out this morning doing absolutely nothing different and it learned it on the first try.

Jason

So when I go back to the shop today is there any special procedures I can tell them about? How hard is it to do it my self if the alarm is already in?

Get them to try learning the 555C the way I described. Put it into programming as usual, but instead of groundeing the wait to start until it learns, wrap the head of one of the known keys with tinfoil, then use it to fire everything up instead of the remote starter when kearning the 555C. You have to be quick wrapping the first key, I do it as the second key is putting the vehicle into customer programming mode... you have all of 15sec to get the tinfoil on. It works.... get them to call Directed and ask about the procedure exactly, I just looked for an infotech for it, and there dosen't appear to be one. I don't know if the US tech support know it, but the Cdn. one definately does.

Gus
PS: There may be an accessory that isn't being powered up.... I forget which one it is. It isn't necessary for remote start, but for some reason, the ECM won't learn a key if every single accessory isn't powered up. Hence using the key wrapped in tinfoil trick

-------------
Wherever I go, that is where I end up......

What do you mean by accesories powering up? I noticed when I remote start in the radio and other things dont come on.

So let me get the procedure straight, you put the first key in and the security light will go out, then you stick the second key in and the light will go out again and come back on with a chime. Then you wrap the first key in foil and stick it back in and put the 555c pellet next to the key. Is this correct? You must program the 555c before install or will it work after the 555c pellet is installed in the steering column?

It is easier to do without the pellet mounted.... you can hold it right up there, but can be done with the pellet mounted, I think (I always program pellet first.... never tried with it mounted)

About the accessories... there are 3 or 4 on these new Dodges (kinda like old Fords.... 3.5 billion accessories and ignitions). However, there are only 3 needed for remote start, the other one is for audio only If I remember correctly.... been awhile since I cracked the service manual on the newer trucks. The radio is about the only thing that doesen't have to come on during remote start.

Gus

-------------
Wherever I go, that is where I end up......

So I went back to the installer and they said that they talked to 3 different people at tech support and they still could not get it to program. They said they spent hours trying to figure it out. They said tech support told them that the 555c doesnt work on some 03's.

Should I purchase another 555c and try to install it my self? is it alot of wiring?

There are 2 ign and 2 acc required for remote start/sentry key programming.

ign1-blue (16awg)
ign2-RED / wht (same size as ign)
acc1-green
acc2-orange

That's it that's all, will RS and program 555C no problem.

the 555c you had was brand new wasn't it? You can only program them to 1 chrysler vehicle and they're then useless for any other vehicle.

-------------
Shaughn Murley
Install Manager, Dealer Services
Visions Electronics
Red Deer, Alberta

as far as I know it was brand new

The other version of sentry key has the keyless remote built into the head of the key (Think Honda), or has an "S" stamped in the shank near the head. The key programming may be locked on the vehicle.... I have come across this only once. Quick check with the Dodge DRB3 scan tool can confirm this.

Gus

-------------
Wherever I go, that is where I end up......

3 Possibilities here

1. Vehicle has been locked with a Dodge scan tool to prevent keys from being manually programmed. Must go to a Dodge dealer and have them turn it off...or a mechanic with a very expensive machine.

2. Shop doesn't know how to program the 555c. Correct procedure is to ground the wait to start wire on the remote start. Key 1 on for 8 seconds. Key 2 on for about 12 seconds (you'll hear a ding). Take pellet of 555c and place about 3/4" from the key cylinder in the same position you would put a key. Remote start truck. Ignition/accessories will power on and stay on. After about 10 seconds Sentry key light will light up in the cluster. 555c is now programmed. Position pellet on side of cylinder and your are done. Remove the wait to start wire from ground...and you are good to go. I have seen a lot of installers have trouble programming this module.

3. 555C was previously coded to another vehicle. It would now be useless.

The only time programming is locked is if the vehicle was part of a fleet sale (rental car agency etc).

they're making sure then unit is set for at least a 20 second wait to start delay right? if the starter cranks then programming will not complete.

-------------
Shaughn Murley
Install Manager, Dealer Services
Visions Electronics
Red Deer, Alberta

If you ground the wait to start (Vip 791XV), it will sit there indefinately until the ground is removed. Make sure the accessories are programmed to stay "on" during wait to start as well (Menu #3, feature 9).

Gus

-------------
Wherever I go, that is where I end up......

AMEN, good info. The 555c is just a chip from a chrylser key puchased alone and run through a relay so it works only when the relay is energized. Most chryslers actually have instructions on how to 'teach' a key in the owners manual now.

I guess it could be any 3 of the possibilities.

1. After I bought the truck I had the dealer program 2 new key so maybe they put it in lock mode so I would have to bring it back there?

2. I dont know if the installer has ever installed a 555c before. I dont think they have.

3. They 555c came off of ebay and it appeared to be new when I recieved it but who knows!

Does anybody know any shops in the orange county, ca are that have experience with this module?

Thanks for all your help guys.

Ryan