Transponder Key

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DylanE

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Ram Year
2004
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Hello,

I have a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Quad Cab 4X4 with the Hemi 5.7L V8, and I have a quick question about the transponder key. I bought the truck 5 months ago from a used car dealer and haven't had any terrible problems. My biggest complaint has been that it did not come with a key fob, just the simple transponder blade key with no push buttons. I'm a little strapped for cash so I don't have the means to have a dealer program me a new one, but as of right now I use the key to lock the doors, but when I go to unlock it using the key in the door and then open the door the alarm starts going off and won't stop and tell I start the truck. I thought the chip in the key may be bad, but then it wouldn't start if it were a key issue, right?. I've checked all the fuses and they all look good. I also bought one of those Car Key Express Ezinstallers from AutoZone to see if I could just install a universal remote, but I tried four times to program it following the listed steps, and it says the new universal fob is ready, but nothing happens when the buttons are pushed. I searched online, but could find no answers. Just tired of the truck alarm going off every time I unlock it. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. - Dylan
 

HemiLonestar

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Does your truck have a keyhole in the passenger door? If no, then RKE. IF yes then it wasn't built with RKE (Remote Keyless Entry). Another way to confirm is to run a build sheet base don your VIN. If the truck was built with RKE and you can't get a key to program it's possible your RKE module has taken a crap. This is on the back of the cluster module in the early 3rd gens (02-05) and is unfortunately long discontinued. Only way to know for sure is to use a dealer level scanner to try and program an OEM type fob and see if it works or if the scanner gives negative feedback about the RKE module.
 
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DylanE

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No keyhole in the passenger side door, I'm guessing the RKE is probably the issue, because every once in a while the key in the driver's side door with work and disable the alarm, then it will go right back to not working. Is there a way to reset the RKE or no?
 

GTyankee

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check this out, it is after market
but i think that a dealership would supply the same type of FOB


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I called a local Mobile Locksmith to see IF they carried what i needed & also asked if they had the Programming Equipment

they had everything & it was 1/2 the cost of what the dealers price was

They had Locksmith Vans & also had a regular store
I used their store
 

Huntingmark

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Kansas City
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5.7 Hemi
My 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 SE does have a driver's side key hole and remote keyless entry. I bought a new fob from a dealer but they could not get it to program. I'dsay that your truck, like mine, has a bad module, RKE. Any aftermarket or dealer purchased fob, if the RKE is bad, will not fix this issue. Take it from the man who bought a $140.00 non-returnable dealer key fob. Good luck.
 

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