Security light comes on after 3 minutes when vehicle is in on position or engine is running

MRGRAHAM665

MEMBER
2002 DODGE DURANGO
4.7L
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
165,000 MILES

I have had this vehicle since 2003, or 15,000 miles and have kept it maintained to service intervals.

6 weeks ago the car was being driven home and suddenly the wipers came on and the lights started to flash and the horn honk. Research was done by calling several shop owners I know that work extensively on domestic repairs. I work in the industry and have over 500 clients as shop owners in CO, AZ, KS, MO and TX. Not a mechanic but know how to research and trouble shoot many problems and tackle easy repairs with help from YouTube like changing out window regulators.

I parked, called a few shops that work on Durango's and believed it was the CTU, so bought one off eBay and replaced it and the vehicle would not start. Had the Durango towed to a guy that works on domestics. He was slammed due to post COVID work ramp up, and got to it 3 weeks ago and determined that the ECM was bad, we got a re-manufactured one, did the installation and programming and it starts but Security Light comes on.

So my question is, I still have the old CTU, and the new (to me) CTU is installed... Is this what is causing the security light to come on. It is that the ECM is not getting the correct code from the CTU? Asked differently is the CTU is not paired with the re-manufactured ECM. Should we put the original CTU back in?

Vehicle runs fine been driving it for weeks, but want to resolve the issue correctly.

Thoughts?

6 Replies

4DRTOM

MECHANIC
467 POSTS

Hello,

Yes, if you didn't use a scan tool to retrieve the CTU settings to transfer it to the new one you got then you should put the old on back in and see if that takes care of it and/or when it's back in retrieve the settings in it and transfer it to the new one and you should be okay.
Tom

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Wednesday, August 26th, 2020 AT 4:40 PM

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

It is unlikely that this is causing the theft light to stay on but you can try and swap them out. The only thing you need to do when replacing the CTM is transfer over some of the programmable features from the old module. However, the CTM is the control module for the theft system.

The light staying on is a message saying there is an issue with the deactivation of the system. While the CTM may be the issue it is more likely that the used ECM is the issue. It is required to program the secret key from the SKIM into the PCM. I attached a lot of information for your review.

As I said, I would try swapping in the original CTM but if that does not solve it, I would scan for codes as I suspect we have some codes telling us what the issue may be. Thanks

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Wednesday, August 26th, 2020 AT 4:46 PM

MRGRAHAM665

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3 POSTS

Thanks for your responses to you both. I am gaining on this.

Okay, where I am at is I put the old CTM back in and the security light went off, then after driving the car for 10 minutes the car went crazy like the original problem where the windshield wipers came on, the car would try to lock and unlock the doors and the lights were flashing, and the hazards. All are symptoms of CTM trouble. So I put the salvage yard CTM back and it worked for 10 minutes then the same thing happened where the car had the CTM symptoms described above. So I think I can get one of the CTMs to work, but I need to identify the Security PIN.

Do you know if I can get software that I can put into a laptop with a cable to the car. Any idea where I would find the software and the cable.

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Saturday, September 5th, 2020 AT 6:38 AM

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

Unfortunately the only "software" that I am aware of that will work for something like this is through the dealer tool. I am sure there are others that offer this but you will need to get the PIN from the dealer as they will require you should proof of ownership. The reason is, if someone provides this PIN for you then you could steal the vehicle so they need to prove you own the vehicle before they pass that out to you.

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Saturday, September 5th, 2020 AT 6:46 PM

MRGRAHAM665

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Hi there guys. Thanks for the responses. I am still working through this issue and have learned that my system does not have a skim but has the older TSS system.I am trying to get the security light to turn off. Vehicle works fine, but want the light off. I have the original CTM, when I put it in the vehicle the security light goes off, but after the CTM gets warm (like 10 minutes) it freaks out and runs the wipers, and flashes the lights and locks and unlocks the doors and runs the wipers. But when I put the replacement CTM in the vehicle, it works but has the security light on on the dash. I have a programming tech that says there is no 4 digit pin in the TSS system inside of the CTM to be transferred to the new CTM. So my question is, do you know or have an idea how I could find out for sure? Do I call Dodge?