Starting System - Service Information: Other Dodge Nitro I

Remote Start Operating Conditions

In order to operate remote start, the following conditions must be met

1. Key fob sequence must be operated within a 100 meter range of the vehicle.
2. The vehicle must be in Park.
3. Key is not in the ignition.
4. The hazard switch off.
5. Vehicle Theft Alarm or Panic is not alarming.
6. Doors and hood must be closed.
7. The battery voltage is normal (11 to 15 volts).

Remote Start Shut Down/Deactivate Conditions

Engine will NOT start or will shut down/deactivate during any of the following conditions

1. Key in Ignition.
2. Doors or hood are opened before remote unlock.
3. Hazard Switch depressed.
4. Panic or theft alarm active.
5. Brake applied.
6. A prior remote start cranked the engine , but failed to start the engine.
7. Battery voltage NOT in the normal range.
8. High (run away) or Low Idle (stall) RPM.
9. MIL Active.
10. High Engine Coolant Temperature.
11. Low Engine Oil Pressure.

Initiate Remote Start

To Remote Start the vehicle

1. Press remote button on the Key Fob twice within 5 seconds. NOTE: Engine will run for 15 minutes after a remote start is initiated. After 15 minutes, the engine will shut off. The system allows for only two sequential remote starts without a key ignition cycle.
2. Unlock vehicle with Key Fob to enter the vehicle.
3. Put key in ignition, turn key to run position to exit remote start and enter a normal start without engine shut off.

Terminate Remote Start

To terminate Remote Start, press Remote Start button on the Key Fob once.

Note. In order to avoid inadvertent shut downs, the one-time press to shut down the vehicle will be disabled for two seconds after receipt of a valid remote start request.

The starting system components form two separate circuits. A high-amperage feed circuit that feeds the starter motor between 150 and 350 amperes (700 amperes - diesel engine), and a low-amperage control circuit that operates on less than 20 amperes. The high-amperage feed circuit components include the battery, the battery cables, the contact disc portion of the starter solenoid, and the starter motor. The low-amperage control circuit components include the ignition switch, the clutch pedal position switch (manual transmission), the park/neutral position switch (automatic transmission), the starter relay, the electromagnetic windings of the starter solenoid, and the connecting wire harness components.

If the vehicle is equipped with a manual transmission, it has a clutch pedal position switch installed in series between the ignition switch and the coil battery terminal of the starter relay. This normally open switch prevents the starter relay from being energized when the ignition switch is turned to the momentary Start position, unless the clutch pedal is depressed. This feature prevents starter motor operation while the clutch disc and the flywheel are engaged. The starter relay coil ground terminal is always grounded on vehicles with a manual transmission.

If the vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission, battery voltage is supplied through the low-amperage control circuit to the coil battery terminal of the starter relay when the ignition switch is turned to the momentary Start position. The park/neutral position switch is installed in series between the starter relay coil ground terminal and ground. This normally open switch prevents the starter relay from being energized and the starter motor from operating unless the automatic transmission gear selector is in the Neutral or Park positions.

When the starter relay coil is energized, the normally open relay contacts close. The relay contacts connect the relay common feed terminal to the relay normally open terminal. The closed relay contacts energize the starter solenoid coil windings.

The energized solenoid pull-in coil pulls in the solenoid plunger. The solenoid plunger pulls the shift lever in the starter motor. This engages the starter overrunning clutch and pinion gear with the starter ring gear on the manual transmission flywheel or on the automatic transmission torque converter or torque converter drive plate.

As the solenoid plunger reaches the end of its travel, the solenoid contact disc completes the high-amperage starter feed circuit and energizes the solenoid plunger hold-in coil. Current now flows between the solenoid battery terminal and the starter motor, energizing the starter.

Once the engine starts, the overrunning clutch protects the starter motor from damage by allowing the starter pinion gear to spin faster than the pinion shaft. When the driver releases the ignition switch to the On position, the starter relay coil is de-energized. This causes the relay contacts to open. When the relay contacts open, the starter solenoid plunger hold-in coil is de-energized.

When the solenoid plunger hold-in coil is de-energized, the solenoid plunger return spring returns the plunger to its relaxed position. This causes the contact disc to open the starter feed circuit, and the shift lever to disengage the overrunning clutch and pinion gear from the starter ring gear.

D & T REMOTE STARTING SYSTEM

Before attempting to diagnose a problem with the remote starting system, first be sure the starter motor and starter solenoid are working properly. The starter should operate with the use of the standard ignition key in the ignition switch. Any starter or solenoid problems must be repaired first.

Also be sure the engine will easily start and run with the use of the standard ignition key in the ignition switch. Any engine running, idling or driveability problems must be repaired first.

Also note that the remote start system will automatically be cancelled if any of the following occur

1. IF THE ENGINE STALLS OR RPM EXCEEDS 2500
2. NORMAL TIME OUT RUN MODE (15 MINUTES)
3. CUSTOMER MOVES IGNITION INTO RUN/START
4. ANY VEHICLE DOOR AJAR
5. TRUNK/LIFTGATE AJAR
6. HOOD AJAR
7. START COUNTER REACHED
8. LOW RPM SHUTDOWN
9. KEY IN IGNITION
10. BRAKE PRESSED
11. THE HAZARD SWITCH IS PRESSED
12. NOT IN PARK OR NEUTRAL
13. VEHICLE SPEED HIGH
14. VTA ALARM TRIGGERED
15. PANIC MODE ACTIVATED
16. BATTERY VOLTAGE HIGH
17. BATTERY VOLTAGE LOW
18. LOSS OF BATTERY VOLTAGE
19. MIL ON
20. LOW OIL PRESSURE
21. COOLANT TEMPERATURE HIGH
22. CRANK NO START
23. RKE OFF MESSAGE
24. VEHICLE NOT CONFIGURED
25. HOOD SWITCH NOT INSTALLED OR INOPERATIVE
26. NO AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
27. INVALID KEY
28. IGNITION SNA
29. IGNITION NOT IN LOCK
30. EXCESSIVE GLOW PLUG TIME (DIESEL ONLY)
31. VEHICLE IN SHIPPING MODE
32. VEHICLE NOT PROGRAMMED

If all of the previous items checked OK, and the remote starting system will not operate, refer to DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING for further information.

The battery, starting, and charging systems operate in conjunction with one another, and must be tested as a complete system. For correct starting/charging system operation, all of the components involved in these three systems must perform within specifications.

STARTER MOTOR

Correct starter motor operation can be confirmed by performing the following free running bench test. This test can only be performed with starter motor removed from vehicle. Refer to SPECIFICATIONS for starter motor specifications.

1. Remove starter motor from vehicle. Refer to Starter Motor «REMOVAL»(ref-306163-S04724120662008120900000) and «INSTALLATION»(ref-306163-S19299772542008120900000) .
2. Mount starter motor securely in a soft-jawed bench vise. The vise jaws should be clamped on the mounting flange of starter motor. Never clamp on starter motor by field frame.
3. Connect a suitable volt-ampere tester and a 12-volt battery to starter motor in series, and set ammeter to 100 ampere scale. See instructions provided by manufacturer of volt-ampere tester being used.
4. Install jumper wire from solenoid terminal to solenoid battery terminal. The starter motor should operate. If starter motor fails to operate, replace faulty starter motor assembly.
5. Adjust carbon pile load of tester to obtain free running test voltage. Refer to «SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-306163-S24468036772008120900000) for starter motor free running test voltage specifications.
6. Note reading on ammeter and compare reading to free running test maximum amperage draw. Refer to «SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-306163-S24468036772008120900000) for starter motor free running test maximum amperage draw specifications.
7. If ammeter reading exceeds maximum amperage draw specification, replace faulty starter motor assembly.

STARTER SOLENOID

Certain vehicles with certain engines may require starter motor removal for the following test.

Scheme 54

1. If necessary, remove starter motor from vehicle. Refer to Starter Motor «REMOVAL»(ref-306163-S04724120662008120900000) and «INSTALLATION»(ref-306163-S19299772542008120900000) .
2. Disconnect solenoid connector wiring from starter motor.
3. Check for continuity between solenoid terminal (2) and solenoid case (3). There should be continuity. If not OK, replace faulty starter motor assembly.

Scheme 55

Scheme 56

Scheme 57

1. Disconnect and isolate negative battery cable.
2. Raise and support vehicle.
3. Four Wheel Drive Equipped: Remove front propeller shaft.
4. Remove solenoid nut (1) from mounting stud (3).
5. After nut (1) has been removed, pull battery cable from mounting stud (3) while removing electrical connector (5) from solenoid terminal.
6. Remove two starter mounting bolts (2).
7. Remove starter assembly (1) from transmission.
8. Rotate starter assembly (1) to allow removal from vehicle.

Scheme 58

Scheme 59

1. Disconnect and isolate negative battery cable.
2. Raise and support vehicle.
3. Four Wheel Drive Equipped: Remove front propeller shaft.
4. Remove two heat shield bolts (1) and remove starter heat shield (2).
5. Remove solenoid nut (1) from mounting stud (3).
6. After nut (1) has been removed, pull battery cable from mounting stud (3) while removing electrical connector (5) from solenoid terminal.
7. Remove two starter mounting bolts (1).
8. Remove starter assembly (2) from transmission.
9. Rotate starter assembly to allow removal from vehicle.

Scheme 60

1. Disconnect and isolate negative battery cable.
2. Raise and support vehicle.
3. Four Wheel Drive Equipped: Remove front propeller shaft.
4. Remove solenoid nut (1) from mounting stud (3).
5. After nut (1) has been removed, pull battery cable from mounting stud (3) while removing electrical connector (5) from solenoid terminal.
6. Remove two starter mounting bolts (2).
7. Remove starter assembly (1) from transmission.
8. Remove plate (3) from transmission.
9. Rotate starter assembly (1) to allow removal from vehicle.

STARTER RELAY

The starter relay is an electromechanical device that switches battery current to the pull-in coil of the starter solenoid when ignition switch is turned to Start position. The starter relay is located in the Power Distribution Center (PDC) in the engine compartment. See PDC cover for relay identification and location.

The starter relay is an International Standards Organization (ISO) relay. Relays conforming to ISO specifications have common physical dimensions, current capacities, terminal patterns, and terminal functions.

The starter relay cannot be repaired or adjusted and, if faulty or damaged, it must be replaced.

The ISO relay consists of an electromagnetic coil, a resistor or diode, and three (two fixed and one movable) electrical contacts. The movable (common feed) relay contact is held against one of the fixed contacts (normally closed) by spring pressure. When electromagnetic coil is energized, it draws the movable contact away from normally closed fixed contact, and holds it against the other (normally open) fixed contact.

When electromagnetic coil is de-energized, spring pressure returns movable contact to normally closed position. The resistor or diode is connected in parallel with electromagnetic coil within relay, and helps to dissipate voltage spikes produced when coil is de-energized.

Scheme 61

The fuel pump relay is located in the Power Distribution Center (PDC) (1). The PDC is located in the engine compartment near the left inner fender (2). Refer to label on PDC cover for relay location.

1. Remove PDC cover.
2. Remove relay from PDC.
3. Check condition of relay terminals and PDC connector terminals for damage or corrosion. Repair if necessary before installing relay.
4. Check for pin height (pin height should be the same for all terminals within the PDC connector). Repair if necessary before installing relay.

1. Refer to Power Distribution Center (PDC) cover for starter relay location.
2. Install relay to PDC (1).
3. Install cover to PDC.

Scheme 62

The Remote Start Antenna Module Assembly consists of an electrical connection to the WCM/WIN (1), a length of coaxial cable (2), two mounting clips (3) and (4), and a control module/antenna (5).