Keyless Entry: Description and Operation

The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) system is a radio frequency system that allows the use of a remote battery-powered radio transmitter to control the power lock system. On vehicles with the RKE option, the power locks can be operated by depressing the Lock or Unlock buttons of the RKE transmitter. If the vehicle is so equipped, the RKE transmitter also arms and disarms the factory-installed vehicle theft alarm. Refer to Vehicle Theft/Security Systems for more information on the optional vehicle theft alarm.

The RKE system includes an illuminated entry feature, which turns on the courtesy lamps for a timed interval (about 30 seconds), when the power door locks are unlocked using the RKE transmitter. The RKE system for this vehicle also features a programmable horn chirp, a programmable driver door unlock, a programmable rolling door lock, and a panic feature.

The programmable horn chirp feature allows the enabling or disabling of the horn chirp request that the RKE receiver issues as an audible indication that a valid Lock signal has been received from the RKE transmitter. The programmable driver door unlock feature allows one press of the RKE transmitter Unlock button to unlock just the driver door, and a second press within five seconds to unlock all of the doors. If disabled, one press of the RKE transmitter Unlock button will unlock all of the doors. The rolling door lock feature will lock all of the doors above a vehicle speed of about 24 kilometers-per-hour (15 miles-per-hour). These features can be enabled or disabled using a DRB III scan tool as described in the proper Diagnostic Procedures. These features can also be enabled/disabled using the customer programmable feature. See the vehicle glove box for more information on the customer programmable feature.

The panic feature allows the vehicle operator to cause the horn to pulse, the headlights to flash and the courtesy lamps to light for about three minutes by depressing the Panic button on the RKE transmitter. A second depression of the Panic button, or a vehicle speed of about 24 km/h (15 mph) will turn off the panic event prior to the expiration of the automatic three minute timer.

The RKE system can retain the vehicle access codes of up to four RKE transmitters. The transmitter codes are retained in RKE system memory, even if the battery is disconnected. If a transmitter is faulty or is lost, new transmitter vehicle access codes can be programmed into the system using a DRB III scan tool as described in the proper Diagnostic Procedures. If one functional transmitter is available, up to three additional transmitters can be programmed using the customer programmable feature. See the vehicle glove box for more information on the customer programmable feature.

The RKE system consists of a driver unlock relay, a headlamp (or security) relay, a horn relay, a key fob remote radio transmitter and a radio receiver with program logic, which is integral to the high-line version of the Central Timer Module (CTM).

Following are general descriptions of the major components in the RKE system. Refer to the vehicle glove box for more information on the features, use and operation of the RKE system.