I recently made the mistake of washing my remote in the washing machine to my 2003 Dodge Stratus Coupe SXT and now "of course" the remote doesn't work. But a couple of days after that any time I try and open a door or open the trunk the panic alarm sounds. I tried turning the key in the drivers side door left and right while the panic alarm was going off but that did not fix the problem. Lights blink, horn blares and then it resets after 2 or 3 minutes.

There's no aftermarket alarm in this car, its the factory alarm...

Could a washed remote really have caused this?

Any help on how to fix would be appreciated

stratusguysacramento

 

Welcome to DF
Here is some information and hope it helps.
THEFT ALARM
VEHICLE THEFT/SECURITY SYSTEM 8Q-35
Key reminder switch check
Check for continuity between terminal 4 and terminal 6.
.
Ignition key ring antenna check
Check for continuity between terminal 3 and terminal 7.
Standard value: Should be less than 2 ohms
THEFT ALARM
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
M1547000100043
THEFT-ALARM SYSTEM
When the theft-alarm system has been armed if a
door or trunk lid is opened, the horn will sound and
headlight flash (high-beam) intermittently for a period
of 180 seconds.
This system is controlled by the ETACS-ECU and
front-ECU.
The system is composed of the components
described below.
PANIC ALARM
With the theft alarm function armed, pressing the
panic button on the keyless entry system transmitter
causes the theft alarm horn to sound for about 180
seconds in an attempt to prevent theft. The alarm is
turned off by pressing any switch on the transmitter.
ARMING THE SYSTEM
After the following procedure have been completed,
the "THEFT-ALARM" indicator light illuminates for
about 20 seconds, and when illumination stops, the
system is armed.
1. Pull out ignition key from the key cylinder.
2. Open a door. (The other doors are locked.)
STATUS OF
IGNITION KEY
TESTER
CONNECTION
SPECIFIED
CONDITION
Removed 4 − 6 Less than 2 ohms
Inserted 4 − 6 Open circuit
AC001262AC
COLUMN SWITCH
CONNECTOR: C-201
AC100323
KEY REMINDER
SWITCH
FRONT-ECU
STARTER
TRUNK LID LOCK KEY
CYLINDER SWITCH
PANIC BUTTON
DOOR LOCK KEY
CYLINDER SWITCH*
TRANSMITTER
ETACS-ECU
DOOR SWITCH* DOOR LOCK
ACTUATOR SWITCH*
TRUNK LID
LATCH SWITCH
THEFT-ALARM
HORN
Note
Items marked * are also installed on the oppoite side.
HEADLIGHT AC
THEFT ALARM
8Q-36 VEHICLE THEFT/SECURITY SYSTEM
3. Lock the door within the key or the keylesslocking
method. (The central door locking system
will then function to lock all doors.)
NOTE: .
• The system is set regardless of whether the trunk
lid is open or closed, and is armed as soon as the
light goes out.
• While the timer is functioning (approximately 20
seconds), it is not reset even is the trunk lid is
opened and closed.
DISARMING THE SYSTEM
The system will be disarmed:
1. If the key is used to unlock a door.
2. If the system is armed while the driver is still in the
vehicle, the system can be disarmed by inserting
the ignition key and turning t to the "ACC" or "ON"
position.
3. If the door is unlocked while closing the door or
the door is ajar.
4. If the door is unfastened while the "THEFTALARM"
indicator light illuminates.
5. If, after the keyless warning is set, the door on the
driver's side or passenger's side is locked but not
completely closed (door-ajar)
ACTIVATING THE ALARM
1. If an attempt is made to open a door, the trunk lid,
without using the key, while the system is armed,
the horn will sound intermittently and the
headlights (high-beam) will flash on and off for
approximately three minutes.
2. If a further attempt at forcible entry is made after
the first three-minute alarm has finished, the
three-minute alarm will be activated again.
DEACTIVATING THE ALARM
1. To deactivate the alarm, insert the key into the
door's key cylinder and turn the key.
2. The alarm is deactivate and the systems
disarmed when the trunk lid is unlocked with the
key.
CHECKING THE SYSTEM OPERATION
The activation/operation of the system can be
checked by following the steps below.
1. Turn the ignition key to the "ON" position and then
use the power window switch to fully open the
window on the driver's side.
2. Turn the ignition key to the "LOCK" (OFF) position
and then remove the key from the ignition
3. Open only the driver's door, and close all the other
doors, as well as the trunk lid.
4. Lock the driver's door with the key or the keyless
entry system locking method.
5. All doors including trunk lid will then be locked,
and the "THEFT-ALARM" indicator light (within
the combination meter) will illuminate; check to be
sure that illumination stops in about 20 seconds.
6. After about two seconds have passed after the
"THEFT-ALARM" indicator light illumination
stopped, reach through the window of the driver's
door, rotate the lock tab to unlock the door and
then open the door.
7. Check to be sure that, when the door is opened,
the horn starts sounding and the headlights flash
on and off.
8. To stop the alarm, insert the key into the doors
key cylinder and turn the key.
NOTE: To check the alarm for the opening of the
trunk lid, open the trunk lid by using the remote trunk
lid release lever, located on the driver's side either
before the alarm is activated by the opening of a door
or after the finish of the first three-minute alarm.