Keyless Entry: Description and Operation

REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE)
A Radio Frequency (RF) type Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) system is an available factory-installed option on this model. The RKE system is used to control the power door locks and panic feature by using a remote transmitter (keylob) and receiver located within the instrument cluster. The instrument cluster RKE feature controls the driver door unlock, all doors lock/unlock, horn chirp enabled/disable, optical chirp enabled/disable, illuminated entry, the panic feature, initiate customer programming, and arming/disarming the Vehicle Theft Security System. The RKE receiver operates on non-switched battery current through a fuse in the Integrated Power Module (IPM), so that the system remains operational, regardless of the ignition switch position.

When a valid lock message is received from the receiver, the instrument cluster will:
- Arm the Vehicle Theft Security System (if equipped and all conditions are met).
- Turn OFF the illuminated entry feature.
- Activate the door lock motors.
- Transmit a PCI bus message to the FCM to perform horn chirp.

When a valid unlock code is received from the receiver, the instrument cluster will:
- Disarm the Vehicle Theft Security System (if equipped and previously set).
- Activate the illuminated entry and cargo lamp.
- Activate the driver door unlock motor (if customer programmed for driver door only unlock).
- Transmit a PCI bus message to the FCM for optical chirp.

The RKE transmitters are also equipped with a Panic button. If the Panic button on the RKE transmitter is depressed, the horn will sound and the exterior lights will flash on the vehicle for about 3 minutes, or until the Panic button is depressed a second time. A vehicle speed of about 25.7 km/h (15 mph) will also cancel the panic event.

The RKE system can also perform other functions on this vehicle. If the vehicle is equipped with the optional Vehicle Theft Security System (VTSS), the RKE transmitter will arm the VTSS when the Lock button is depressed, and disarm the VTSS when the Unlock button is depressed.

The RKE system includes two transmitters when the vehicle is shipped from the factory but the system can retain the vehicle access codes of up to a total of four transmitters. The transmitter codes are retained in the RKE module memory, even if the battery is disconnected. If an RKE transmitter is faulty or lost, new transmitter vehicle access codes can be programmed into the system using a DRB III scan tool.

This vehicle also offers several customer programmable features, which allows the selection of several optional electronic features to suit individual preferences. Customer programmable feature options affecting the RKE system include:
- Remote Unlock Sequence - Allows the option of having only the driver side front door unlock when the RKE transmitter Unlock button is depressed the first time. The remaining doors unlock when the button is depressed a second time within 5 seconds of the first unlock press. Another option is having all doors unlock upon the first depression of the RKE transmitter Unlock button.

- Sound Horn on Lock - Allows the option of having the horn sound a short chirp as an audible verification that the RKE system received a valid Lock request from the RKE transmitter, or having no audible verification.

- Flash Lights with Lock and Unlock - Allows the option of having the park lamps flash as an optical verification that the RKE system received a valid Lock request or Unlock request from the RKE transmitter, or having no optical verification.

- Programming Additional Transmitters - Allows up to a total of four transmitter vehicle access codes to be stored in the receiver memory.

Certain functions and features of the RKE system rely upon resources shared with other electronic modules in the vehicle over the Programmable Communications Interface (PCI) data bus network. The PCI data bus network allows the sharing of sensor information. This helps to reduce wire harness complexity, internal controller hardware, and component sensor current loads. For diagnosis of these electronic modules or of the PCI data bus network, the use of a DRB III scan tool and the appropriate diagnostic information are required.

- LOCK - Pressing the LOCK button locks all doors, sounds horn (chirp) once if enabled, flashes the park lamps once if enabled, and arms the Vehicle Theft Security System (VTSS), if enabled. The chirp verifies that the RKE module has sent a message to the instrument cluster for door lock operation. If a door has not been closed before pressing the LOCK button, the vehicle may not be secured and the VTSS (if equipped) will not arm until the door is closed.

- UNLOCK - Pressing the UNLOCK button once will unlock the driver's door first if enabled, flashes the park lamps twice if enabled, activates the illuminated entry system, and disarms the Vehicle Theft Security System (VTSS), if equipped. Pressing the UNLOCK button twice within 5 seconds will unlock all doors, if driver's door first is enabled.

- PANIC - Pressing the PANIC button sounds the horns at 1/2 second intervals, flashes the exterior lamps, and turns ON the interior lamps. The panic alarm will remain ON for 3 minutes, or until the PANIC button is actuated again or the vehicle speed exceeds 25.7 Km/h (15 mph) will cancel the panic event.

The Remote Keyless Entry Module is capable of retaining the transmitter Vehicle Access Code(s) in its memory even after vehicle power has been interrupted.