My 2005 does not have a special chipped key needed... had a big run around with a dealer on that.

Local lock man says they are very rare... as in he never saw one.

Local alarm shop set me up with a nice alarm and two fully functional FOBs for less than the dealer gets for a single key.

this ain't rocket science!

 

Glad to hear it was resolved without the dealer.

 

Indeed -- convincing them that it even exists appears to be a problem.

From what the manual says, it looks like the Sentry-key option can be disabled by the end user. It is possible that was done with my vehicle -- maybe it was Sentry from the factory, but disabled along the way. (It was once a rental car -- so maybe they got tired of doing Sentry keys or something.)

What's funny is -- I've been considering a remote-start system. So, when I was talking to the dealer about all of this and how expensive the FOBs were going to be -- I asked about just having a remote-start system installed. At first, they thought this was a good idea -- since it would come with two FOBs anyhow. But, then, after some research, they told me that the only remote-start system they could install in this vehicle would come with FOBs that would be ONLY for starting the car -- that they would not control the door locks! So, I'd be no better off (i.e. I still wouldn't have FOBs that would unlock the door).

Maybe I'll check with an alarm place -- or someone else that does remote starts -- and see if I can work something out that way.

- John...

 

I don't have any experience except with one Dodge dealer and just one time.

I bought my 2005 last year and it had one key with FOB built in.
I went directly to a Dodge dealer parts counter and asked if there was a chip in my ignition key, I needed a spare. I was assured that only a dealer made key would start my car. I asked him to look it up: 2005 Durango. He got the VIN from the car and assured me that I had to get a special key from a dealer and that only a dealer could program it to work.
I took his word for it and said OK.

A couple days later I went to a local lock shop (zero tech) to have several house keys made. $2 each, about 10 total. He misunderstood and also made a car key. I told him it would not work... he went to my car and opened it, and then started it. He said not very many cars need a special key,

I emailed the dealer (National City, California), and after explaining the above, I asked:

"Now I wonder:
1. are your people uninformed/ignorant?
2. is my car totally unique?
3. is my car "broken"?
4. do your people not know how to check?
5. was I scammed?
6. is this a Dodge company line?
OK, so you sold me something other than I was asking for. I did not ask for a beeper, I wanted a key to start my car.
I will return the key fob thing tomorrow
By the way, your online parts shop lists the key fob for $30 less than I was charged! What's with that?"

After standing at the counter and asking for a manager and sticking by my guns they finally refunded the total parts and labor. It was Not Easy!

I believe it was probably a combination of #5 and #6.

Go to an alarm shop and get what you want, not a dealer.
My alarm came with two keys, two FOBs that open and lock the doors, sets the alarm, panic button, shock sensor, etc.... everything the factory one piece key does plus the alarm. Less than half the price of 1 fitted key.

will I return to a dealer? not likely!

 

Sent you a PM. Thanks!

- John