Passive entry front exterior handle wiring?

Tiny
TWINSNUTS02
  • MEMBER
  • 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER
  • 35,000 MILES
So, I ripped out the wiring on my exterior front door handle. It’s the wire that makes the keyless entry work. It’s that button on the door handle that makes it where you can lock it basically. I got a new door handle and wires for it but it’s still not locking by button. Locking it by the key fob it’s fine but the button still doesn’t work. I had my mechanic install it and everything. I have the diagnostic report Dodge said and I got those parts but still nothing.
Saturday, July 22nd, 2023 AT 6:42 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,233 POSTS
Okay, if you walk up to it with the fob in hand and it's locked, does it unlock when you touch the handle? Is the button the only thing that isn't working? You say you ripped out the wiring, which may have damaged the control board, does the other side still work? If the other one still works, I suspect the door module, but you need a scan tool that can watch the inputs as you test the system.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, July 22nd, 2023 AT 7:22 PM
Tiny
TWINSNUTS02
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
The side where I ripped the wires (the driver side) doesn't unlock when I touch the handle or put my hand under the handle. The button and opening it without the key fob are things that aren't working. The other side (passenger side) where I didn't rip the wires works fine, I can use the button to lock it and touch the handle and everything. You mention a scan tool. I have an obd2 scanner, I scanned it in the past before I replaced the parts, and no codes came up.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, July 22nd, 2023 AT 7:29 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,233 POSTS
Does your scan tool allow you to look at the radio frequency hub to see the lock inputs? This issue wouldn't set a code. However, this does sound like the wiring itself is damaged. It has to run from the handle through the door and through the body to the RFH. The OE scan tool has an option in the hub menu to test the wiring to the handles. Without that you would need to go to the hub located under the rear package shelf trim. Remove the red C2 connector and unpin and reverse the wires for the left and right handles. If the left side works using the right-side input, then you know the issue is either the wiring or the handle you have is bad. I suspect it's the wiring though. Possibly it broke in the section between the door and body and the damage finally broke it there.
Images (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, July 22nd, 2023 AT 9:46 PM
Tiny
TWINSNUTS02
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I have a blue driver ob2 scanner, I am going to do some research and see if there's a radio frequency hub with that scanner because I don't know what that would look like. I had bought piece #5 for the handle and that's what got installed also.
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, July 23rd, 2023 AT 12:16 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,233 POSTS
Okay, that is the connector, I suspect it is the actual wires themselves, not the connector. Not sure if that tool reads that item or not. Alpha OBD has it listed but only for the pro version.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, July 23rd, 2023 AT 2:31 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.