I just purchased a '96 Dodge Stratus and was given 3 different keys. Unlocking the car with 2 of the 3 keys was no issue but when using the 3rd last night to unlock the driver's side door it seems to have set off the alarm system, thus disabling the car. Note there was no problem using this key to operate the vehicle when leaving home. Now when I go to even open the doors the alarm goes off. Will this reset itself by any chance and do you think it was the key which may have caused it? The dash was replaced prior to purchase due to an electrical short, could this be a culprit too? One thought is I may have mistakenly used a valet key.

Thanks.

 

I'm thinking that you used the valet key that will set the alarm ... using the other keys should reset the alarm ...(compare the keys)
or the door switch may be intermittant and it just happened to go off on the third key

 

Thanks for your reply. That is what a mechanic I ran into told me last night, but in using the other keys to unlock either door, it still sets it off. Are you thinking I need to go back to using the valet key to reset it since the other ones are not?