So I am new to this forum so please bare with me if I do not know exactly what I am talking about. I have a 2002 dakota 4.7 AWD. I purchased it about a week ago and have had some issues. First my auto door locks kept on unlocking while I was driving, I had that fixed ( the man I bought it from helped by paying for the repair).. Well I just got it back and now when I unlock my doors with my key (I do not have an fob) as soon as I open the door the panic/alarm goes off. I didn't even know it had an alarm till now. So what im wondering is what the heck is wrong with my truck? I've pulled the fuse for my horn so when the alarm goes off my lights only flash.. And the alarm stops after I start the truck so it's not like the alarm is constant, but it just ticks me off that it does this. Now from what I have read, all of this ties to the ctm. What I want to know is of I buy a ctm from a auto yard can I install it myself? I've seen posts saying you need to go to a dealership to have it programmed for your fob but I don't have a fob, so if I get one that will work for my truck can I just replace it myself or will I still need to go to a dealer to get all of the relays programmed and set?

I know this is a long post but if anyone can help me out that would be great

 

I will move this to the 2nd generation Dakota sub-forum.

 

You probably don't need a new CTM, most likely the door lock mechanism in the driver's door is either bad or has dirty contacts in it. There is a switch inside the door lock assembly that sets the factory alarm when the door is locked and it will turn off the alarm when the door is unlocked with either the key or the keyless entry remote fob. It is normal operation for the alarm to turn off when you start the truck.

At the CTM, look at plug connector #2, I believe it is the one in the middle. On that plug at pin #14 is a light green wire with an orange stripe. This is the factory alarm arm and disarm wire, it is the signal wire from the door lock mechanism in the driver's door and it tells the CTM whether to arm or disarm the factory alarm, based on the lock or unlock input from the remote control fob or the lock mechanism if operated with the key. Cut the green/orange wire in two. This should permanently disable the factory alarm. If that does not work then try leaving the wire connected to the CTM and that will disable the alarm by permanently turning it off. If that does not work then you may have a bad CTM. The best way to test the CTM is at the Dodge dealer, they can use the Dodge DRB-3 scan took to communicate with the CTM to determine the problem.

Jimmy

 

Thanks for the information. The mechanic who fixed my locks may have done this when fixing the locks.. Now what's weird is, the alarm only goes off when I unlock and open the door after the locks have been locked by the auto lock switch.. If I lock the cab by hand and unlock the door it doesn't sound the alarm when I open the door.. Any ideas on this?

 

On the back inside edge of the drivers door you'll see an oval shaped rubber plug. Remove the plug and check to make sure the sensor is firmly seated on the end of the lock cylinder. If it is then you probably have a bad sensor which is normally a stocked item at the dealership.

 

An important edit here..I just re-read my reply and I left something out that is very important..

At the CTM, look at plug connector #2, I believe it is the one in the middle. On that plug at pin #14 is a light green wire with an orange stripe. This is the factory alarm arm and disarm wire, it is the signal wire from the door lock mechanism in the driver's door and it tells the CTM whether to arm or disarm the factory alarm, based on the lock or unlock input from the remote control fob or the lock mechanism if operated with the key. Cut the green/orange wire in two. This should permanently disable the factory alarm. If that does not work then try leaving the wire connected to the CTM and connect it to ground. That will disable the alarm by permanently turning it off. If that does not work then you may have a bad CTM. The best way to test the CTM is at the Dodge dealer, they can use the Dodge DRB-3 scan took to communicate with the CTM to determine the problem.

Sorry I was in a hurry when I replied and forgot to mention you need to ground the light green/orange wire if you want to permanently turn off the alarm via the CTM.

Jimmy