2026 Ram 1500 Security Bypass Location

[rackemron4]

What’s Up. My son has a 2026 Ram 1500 Bighorn. We just installed the electric running boards. Trying to program the BCM with AlfaOBD. The miles are blinking but everything works expect for the manual over ride on the dash screen. I have a security bypass cable but do not see a location for it under the dash. Looking for help locating it or do you need one for a 2026. When I hooked up the the OBD test port I cannot find a 2026 in AlfaOBD the most recent year was 2023. So looking for some help. Appreciated your time in advance.

 

[GeauxinUp]

AlfaOBD not compatible with 25/26's.
What brand running boards did you get?

 

[rackemron4]

Mopar

 

[GeauxinUp]

Mopar

Dealer's gonna have to input the sales code

 

[rackemron4]

Thanks that’s really stinks. Probably charge 1hr labor. It what it is. Do you know if AlfaObd is going to support 2025/26?

 

[GeauxinUp]

25 and up is a whole different architecture (not CanBus), so who knows when. I hear there's a few folks who've managed to make some progress on figuring it out.

 

[rackemron4]

Ok thanks

 

[Jimmy07]

Thanks that’s really stinks. Probably charge 1hr labor. It what it is. Do you know if AlfaObd is going to support 2025/26?

Alfaobd works on the 2025+ Rams, but everything involved in using it to make changes on the 25+ is going to cost you more than just having the dealer add the sales code.

 

[HemiSam]

I was doing some research for another issue (clear a CEL from battery drainage issues), and it looks like the bypass may be behind the entertainment system. Some assembly required...

I'm hoping the tuners crack the nut on these, but that may require fiddling with the PCM as well. We'll see.

HS

 

[dimulec]

There is no bypass. Even my 2025 does not have it. Security gateway must be unlocked by the scan tool. I have Xtool IP900BC, which does it. Helps clear some DTCs that cannot be cleared with a regular OBD2 scanner. But this unlocking feature requires a payment. If I remember correctly, about $60 per year.

 

[RamDiver]

There is no bypass. Even my 2025 does not have it. Security gateway must be unlocked by the scan tool. I have Xtool IP900BC, which does it. Helps clear some DTCs that cannot be cleared with a regular OBD2 scanner. But this unlocking feature requires a payment. If I remember correctly, about $60 per year.

I trust that this scanner only allows review and clearing of DTCs, no module tweaking.

Is that correct? $519 US and $819 in Canadastan.

https://www.amazon.com/XTOOL-Bidirectional-Scanner-Service-Diagnostic/dp/B09KZZT818

https://www.amazon.ca/XTOOL-Bidirectional-Scanner-Service-Diagnostic/dp/B09KZZT818

Are the above links for the same scanner tool that you have?

.

 

[Jimmy07]

Any scan tool that is capable of AutoAuth can unlock the security gateway for bidirectional functions on 2025+ (just like with any other fca vehicle with a gateway).

Only certain scan tools can KEEP the gateway unlocked while connecting alfaobd to make changes on 2025+ rams.

 

[dimulec]

I trust that this scanner only allows review and clearing of DTCs, no module tweaking.

Is that correct? $519 US and $819 in Canadastan.

https://www.amazon.com/XTOOL-Bidirectional-Scanner-Service-Diagnostic/dp/B09KZZT818

https://www.amazon.ca/XTOOL-Bidirectional-Scanner-Service-Diagnostic/dp/B09KZZT818

Are the above links for the same scanner tool that you have?

.

Yes, that is the one. Besides clearing codes it has a lot of "special function". When my son lost both keyfobs for his Mustang this thing deleted them from the system and programmed 2 new ones.

Here is the first page of the "special functions" menu. Not all will work with RAM. Even less will work with RAM >= year 2025.

 

[dimulec]

Any scan tool that is capable of AutoAuth can unlock the security gateway for bidirectional functions on 2025+ (just like with any other fca vehicle with a gateway).

Only certain scan tools can KEEP the gateway unlocked while connecting alfaobd to make changes on 2025+ rams.

I will buy an OBD2 splitter and try. After what I did to this car I think it will easily survive this test.

 

[RamDiver]

I will buy an OBD2 splitter and try. After what I did to this car I think it will easily survive this test.

I'm looking forward to hearing how this works out.

Thanks for the updates.

.

 

[Ken226]

I'm looking forward to hearing how this works out.

Thanks for the updates.

.

I ordered up one of these on Amazon:

Amazon.com: iKKEGOL 30cm/12 inch Ultra Low Profile OBDII Extension Cable, OBD II 2 Y Splitter Cable,1 Male to 2 Dual Female Y J1962 Ports Extension Connector Adapter Red : Automotive

Buy iKKEGOL 30cm/12 inch Ultra Low Profile OBDII Extension Cable, OBD II 2 Y Splitter Cable,1 Male to 2 Dual Female Y J1962 Ports Extension Connector Adapter Red: Code Readers & Scan Tools - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

a.co

I have 2 scan tools registered with my AutoAuth account.

I'll have a go at it with my wife's 22 Durango R/T when the splitter shows up.

 

[Ken226]

I'm looking forward to hearing how this works out.

Thanks for the updates.

.

I got the OBD2 splitter from Amazon today.


I didn't want to change anything in the BCM so to see if this work, so I first started out by logging into the gateway with the ThinkScan, just to make sure everything was up to date and worked. Then I logged back out.


To decide how/what I would test this, I started with just the OBD Link MX+ and AlfaOBD and left the gateway module locked, to see what I could and could NOT do.
I could read and clear codes (i unplugged the IAT sensor to set a code). Alfa read the codes and cleared them, no prob, with the gateway module still locked. So, clearing codes wasn't going test whether the scan tools would hold the gateway open for AlfaOBD. I have always heard that you couldn't clear codes without the FCA AutoAuth login, or bypassing the module. But, I was in-fact able to clear the IAT code with AlfaOBD, and without logging in with FCA AutoAuth.

Next (gateway still locked), i tried some bidirectional tests, which all returned an error "procedure failed, check cable for yada yada". I tried bidirectional tests in both the PCM and in the BCM, and in all cases "procedure failed, etc etc etc". So, I decided that bi-directional tests require unlocking the secure gateway and would be my test for whether or not the scan tools could hold the gateway open for AlfaOBD.




So, now to test AlfaOBD using the Y splitter and a scan tool to unlock the gateway.

First, I connected the Innova 7111 to one port, and my OBD Link MX+ to the other, then unlocked the secure gateway with the Innova 7111. With the Innova still connected and logged into the gateway, I was able to access everything with AlfaOBD and do bidirectional tests. All of them worked perfectly. I did fuel pump, purge solenoid, injector pulse, cooling fan, and a few others.


Next I broke out the ThinkScan 689BT, and got the exact same results. I unlocked the secure gateway with the ThinkScan, then started connecting to modules with AlfaOBD and running bidirectional tests. Everything worked.



Just to make sure, I disconnected everything and turned the car off, then waited a few minutes. Then I went back in with Alfa alone, and was thoroughly locked out of any bidirectional tests again.


So, it would appear than both the Innova 7111 and my Thinkscan 689BT can hold the gateway open and allow AlfaOBD access to everything.

The car is a 2022 Dodge Durango R/T 5.7 Hemi.
I have no idea if it would work the same on 25+ Rams.

 

[Jimmy07]

I got the OBD2 splitter from Amazon today.


I didn't want to change anything in the BCM so to see if this work, so I first started out with just AlfaOBD and left the gateway module locked, to see what I could and could NOT do. I could read and clear codes (i unplugged the IAT sensor to set a code). Alfa read the codes and cleared them, no prob, with the gateway module still locked. So, clearing codes wasn't going test whether the scan tools would hold the gateway open for AlfaOBD.

Next (gateway still locked), i tried some bidirectional tests, which all returned an error "procedure failed, check cable for yada yada". I tried bidirectional tests in both the PCM and in the BCM, and in all cases "procedure failed, etc etc etc". So, I decided that bi-directional tests would be my test for whether or not the scan tools could hold the gateway open for AlfaOBD.




So, now to test AlfaOBD using the Y splitter and a scan tool to unlock the gateway.

First, I connected the Innova 7111 to one port, and my OBD Link MX+ to the other, then unlocked the secure gateway with the Innova 7111. With the Innova still connected and logged into the gateway, I was able to access everything with AlfaOBD and do bidirectional tests. All of them worked perfectly. I did fuel pump, purge solenoid, injector pulse, cooling fan, and a few others.


Next I broke out the ThinkScan 689BT, and got the exact same results. I unlocked the secure gateway with the ThinkScan, then started connecting to modules with AlfaOBD and running bidirectional tests. Everything worked.



Just to make sure, I disconnected everything and turned the car off, then waited a few minutes. Then I went back in with Alfa alone, and was thoroughly locked out of any bidirectional tests again.


So, it would appear than both the Innova 7111 and my Thinkscan 689BT can hold the gateway open and allow AlfaOBD access to everything.

The car is a 2022 Dodge Durango R/T 5.7 Hemi.
I have no idea it would work the same on 25+ Rams.

22 Durango is a completely different security gateway and canbus architecture than the 2025 Ram, so not a good comparison test.

To put it more in perspective, 2021+ jeep grand Cherokee WL’s use the same canbus architecture and same type of gateway as the 2025+ Ram.
Most of the scan tools that will keep the gateway unlocked while using alfaobd on the grand Cherokee will not keep the gateway unlocked on a 2025 Ram.

The only one that I know of right now that will keep the gateway unlocked on a 2025 Ram is the xtool A30M.

Also, even after you successfully make any configuration change to a 2025+ Ram with alfaobd, you STILL have to take it to a dealer to have a proxy alignment performed.

So, the overall best solution to the OP of this thread is to just have the dealer add the sales code for the power side steps.

 

[RamDiver]

I got the OBD2 splitter from Amazon today.


I didn't want to change anything in the BCM so to see if this work, so I first started out by logging into the gateway with the ThinkScan, just to make sure everything was up to date and worked. Then I logged back out.


To decide how/what I would test this, I started with just the OBD Link MX+ and AlfaOBD and left the gateway module locked, to see what I could and could NOT do.
I could read and clear codes (i unplugged the IAT sensor to set a code). Alfa read the codes and cleared them, no prob, with the gateway module still locked. So, clearing codes wasn't going test whether the scan tools would hold the gateway open for AlfaOBD. I have always heard that you couldn't clear codes without the FCA AutoAuth login, or bypassing the module. But, I was in-fact able to clear the IAT code with AlfaOBD, and without logging in with FCA AutoAuth.

Next (gateway still locked), i tried some bidirectional tests, which all returned an error "procedure failed, check cable for yada yada". I tried bidirectional tests in both the PCM and in the BCM, and in all cases "procedure failed, etc etc etc". So, I decided that bi-directional tests require unlocking the secure gateway and would be my test for whether or not the scan tools could hold the gateway open for AlfaOBD.




So, now to test AlfaOBD using the Y splitter and a scan tool to unlock the gateway.

First, I connected the Innova 7111 to one port, and my OBD Link MX+ to the other, then unlocked the secure gateway with the Innova 7111. With the Innova still connected and logged into the gateway, I was able to access everything with AlfaOBD and do bidirectional tests. All of them worked perfectly. I did fuel pump, purge solenoid, injector pulse, cooling fan, and a few others.


Next I broke out the ThinkScan 689BT, and got the exact same results. I unlocked the secure gateway with the ThinkScan, then started connecting to modules with AlfaOBD and running bidirectional tests. Everything worked.



Just to make sure, I disconnected everything and turned the car off, then waited a few minutes. Then I went back in with Alfa alone, and was thoroughly locked out of any bidirectional tests again.


So, it would appear than both the Innova 7111 and my Thinkscan 689BT can hold the gateway open and allow AlfaOBD access to everything.

The car is a 2022 Dodge Durango R/T 5.7 Hemi.
I have no idea if it would work the same on 25+ Rams.

Thanks for the detailed report Ken.

That's great information for everyone interested in expanding their knowledge in accessing the more recent vehicles.

.

 

[dimulec]

I have a different experience. Basically, it did not work for me at all. Here is the setup:


Big BT thing is for XTool and the small one is OBDLink MX+.

When I tried AlfaOBD and Jscan and they both did not want to connect to any modules. Without unlocking the security gateway this was the diagnostic screen:



Then I unlocked the gateway with XTool and this completely screwed up connection from the Jscan app to OBDLink.




Jscan was just spinning the spinner until I got tired.



But after reading the above post I think I messed something up. Maybe it would be better if I connect the XTool with a cable. I will try again.