Today my auction bought 02 QC 4X4 arrived without a key, and so we discovered without the transmitter. We had a key made by a locksmith who discovered the transmitter missing. He wasn't sure that if we secured a transmitter from a junkyard that he could program it or if the dealer would have to. So my question is what do I need to get this truck to start (it turns over but will not start). Can a transmitter from a different truck work with my replacement key? Would it need the matching key as well? Will the matching key be able to be programmed for my truck or will I need other things like a matching ECU as well?

Is there a way to bypass this stupid "smart" key system? I just want to see if my truck will start/run; it was apparently a swamp buggy from Louisianna. There is dried mud on the frame rails, in the engine bay and the cab floor. It was obviously the benefactor of a high water incident, but NOT Katrina. It has an inspection sticker from 02/11 and Katrina was 5 years ago. Also there is absolutely NO rust. NONE anywhere. As my mechanic says, it was the result of an offroad excursion that went bad, probably involving rednecks and alcohol and a Louisianna wetland. At least the oil and tranny fluid show no signs of water.

I'm going to the junkyard tomorrow to get a transmitter and the matching key if possible. We ordered a complete shop manual so we can get the complete detailed wiring schematic as we are certainly going to need to mess with untold amounts of electrical diagnostics. So far his $4000 high tech scanner can only communicate with the air bag module, all the rest register comm errors. Could there be issues like bad power supplies, harnesses or even processor units? Does anyone know what the processor is for at the driver's kickpanel?

Any insight would be helpful.

 

Not sure if 02 had the smart chip in the key. With what key you get without the orignal I dont know if it will work but the dealer might be able to program a key.

 

Unfortunately it does. We were hoping it didn't but the locksmith checked his data book and it definitely does. I am sure the dealer can straighten it out but it will probably be $$$$$$$$ and I am still going to need a transmitter, just not sure if any 2002 transmitter will do and will it need its matching key, and then does it also need the matching ECU? And the engine STILL may not start, for some other reason. I am going to do a diesel swap so ultimately I probably will use a different 'starting' system anyway but for now I just need to see if the engine will start.

 

Just found out from dealer they can reprogram a new transmitter (engine disabler) for $192 and a new one is about $100. They couldn't guarantee a used one would reprogram and junkyard only sold entire steering column for $200. Guess I'm off to the dealer.

 

I had lost the spare key to my truck, went to the dealer and they used my vin got me a new key and programmed it for like 45$... Then f course I found the lost key

 

im just glad i dont have a chipped key. that just causes issues and makes it hard to put in a push to start as talked about in a dirrernt thread.

 

Yeah, they suck. At least the dealer told me it doesn't need to be flashed just programmed from an OBDII programmer, so my locksmith guy can come to me and do it so I don't have to tow it to the dealer. Then we'll see if it starts or if there is more digging to do.

 

Well, my locksmith was WRONG, not all 2002 Dakotas had the chipped ignition key, it was apparently an option. But NOT on my truck. I bought the immobilizer (aka SKIM) and plugged it into the harness. DO NOT DO THIS IF YOUR TRUCK DOES NOT ALREADY HAVE ONE. By doing so and using the chipped key to start it, it turned on the security feature on the PCM, which wasn't programmed to have it. So now the PCM waits for a signal that is cannot read, it starts and runs for 3 seconds and shuts off. The dealer said now I need to get a new PCM ($550) and then program it for my truck. Fortunately I went to one of this forum's advertisers (B&G Chrysler in Michigan) and they CAN reprogram the PCM. They turned off the security feature and did a tune as well for $350 shipped. I should have it by Wednesday or so. I should then be able to start it with just a dumb (plain) key. The other good news is the engine seems just fine. We'll see if there are any other issues once I get the PCM installed. Now I have to try to recover some money (good luck!) from the locksmith who caused this whole problem.