Experiencing starting problems with your 2007 Dodge Charger can be incredibly frustrating. Many owners have encountered similar issues, leading to countless online searches and forum discussions seeking a definitive solution. You might have watched numerous videos online, especially those focusing on LX platform vehicles like the Charger, Magnum, Challenger, and Chrysler 300, hoping for a breakthrough. If you’re still searching for answers, you’ve come to the right place. This guide dives deep into a common starting problem and explores whether a seemingly simple component – your 2007 Dodge Charger Key Fob Battery – could be related.
Let’s analyze a real-world scenario to understand the symptoms and potential causes, and then we’ll discuss how your key fob battery fits into the picture.
Symptoms of a 2007 Dodge Charger Starting Issue
Imagine this: Your 2007 Dodge Charger starts perfectly fine in the morning. You drive to the grocery store, a quick trip of under a mile, taking about 15 minutes. After spending around 30 minutes shopping, you return to your car, ready to head home. You unlock the doors with your key fob, get in, and turn the key in the ignition. The dashboard lights illuminate, and the gauges respond as expected when you turn the key to the “ON” position. However, when you turn the key to “Start,” nothing happens. No cranking sound, no engine turnover – just silence. It’s as if the electrical system isn’t communicating the command to start the engine.
Panic might set in. You might recall online suggestions about disconnecting the battery terminals to reset the system. You try this, and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t – the results are inconsistent. Perhaps you’ve even tried removing Sentry System fuses, thinking it might be related to key recognition or alarm issues, but again, the outcome is unpredictable.
Eventually, after towing the car or miraculously getting it started, you manage to get home. Strangely, if you try starting the car again after an hour or two, it starts as if nothing was ever wrong. It might even restart once or twice more immediately afterward. But then, the starting problem returns, leaving you stranded again.
You might also have a pre-existing engine misfire code related to an O2 sensor, perhaps due to a previous repair issue. However, no other diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) are indicating problems with the fuel pump or other critical engine management systems. Before this starting issue surfaced, your Charger started reliably every time, without hesitation, even for short trips.
A typical 2007 Dodge Charger key fob, similar to the one discussed in this troubleshooting guide. Checking the key fob battery is a simple first step in diagnosing starting issues.
Troubleshooting Steps Already Taken
If you’re facing this situation, you’ve likely already started troubleshooting. Here’s a rundown of common components that might have been checked or replaced, mirroring the efforts of many Dodge Charger owners:
- PCM (Powertrain Control Module): Already replaced, but not the solution to the current starting problem. The PCM replacement was likely related to a past transmission limp mode issue.
- Starter: A new starter has been installed, as the old one failed and damaged the flywheel. This eliminates the starter itself as the immediate cause of the intermittent starting problem.
- Relays and Fuses: Relays and fuses in both the front and rear power distribution centers have been checked and are functioning correctly.
- Fuel Pump: The fuel pump seems to be working. You can hear it initialize when the ignition is turned on, suggesting it’s receiving power and attempting to prime the fuel system.
- Ignition Switch: Replaced due to suspected wear, particularly where the actuator pin connects.
- Actuator Pin: Replaced after discovering it was a known issue and finding the original pin was broken.
- Key Fob: The key fob appears to be working for remote functions (locking, unlocking, panic). The key fob battery has even been replaced in an attempt to resolve the starting issue, but without consistent success.
- Alternator: The alternator is charging correctly, with no signs of dim lights or electrical issues while the car is running.
- Battery: A new car battery was recently installed, eliminating a weak battery as the primary suspect.
- Spare Key: Trying a spare key fob also yields the same inconsistent starting results. While the spare key starts the car when it works, it doesn’t consistently solve the problem. Interestingly, the spare key’s remote functions (lock/unlock/trunk/panic) are not working, even though it was programmed by the dealership to start the vehicle.
- Neutral Safety Switch: The neutral safety switch appears to be functioning correctly, as the car starts in both “Park” and “Neutral.”
Could a Weak Key Fob Battery Still Be a Factor?
Given all the troubleshooting steps taken, especially replacing the 2007 Dodge Charger key fob battery, it might seem unlikely that the key fob battery is the root cause. However, let’s consider how the key fob and its battery interact with the vehicle’s starting system.
While a completely dead key fob battery would prevent remote functions from working (like unlocking doors remotely), the car is designed with a transponder chip in the key fob that communicates with the vehicle’s immobilizer system (Sentry Key Immobilizer System or SKIS, often referred to as SKREEM – Sentry Key REmote Entry Module). This transponder chip is inductively powered when the key is inserted into the ignition. Therefore, even with a dead key fob battery, the transponder should still allow the car to start when the key is in the ignition.
However, a weak key fob battery, while still allowing basic remote functions, could potentially cause intermittent communication issues with the SKREEM during the starting sequence. It’s less likely to be the primary culprit given the symptoms described, but it’s such a simple and inexpensive check that it’s worth revisiting, especially if the replacement battery was of questionable quality or old stock.
Here’s why it’s still worth considering the key fob battery:
- Intermittent Issues: Weak batteries can cause unpredictable behavior. The voltage might be sufficient for some functions some of the time, but drop under load or in certain conditions, leading to inconsistent starting.
- SKREEM Sensitivity: The SKREEM system might be sensitive to voltage fluctuations or weak signals from the transponder, especially during the critical starting process.
- “Jiggling” the Key: The observation about the key-in-ignition chime being intermittent and sometimes requiring “jiggling” the key could point to a potential issue with the key cylinder or the SKREEM’s ability to consistently read the transponder signal. A weak key fob battery could exacerbate this marginal connection.
Recommendation:
Even though you’ve replaced the 2007 Dodge Charger key fob battery, consider these steps:
- Verify New Battery Quality: Ensure the replacement battery is a fresh, high-quality battery of the correct type (usually CR2032). A cheap or old battery might still be weak.
- Clean Battery Contacts: Clean the battery contacts inside the key fob to ensure a good connection.
- Try a Different New Battery Brand: Sometimes, batteries from different manufacturers can perform slightly differently. Trying a different brand of CR2032 battery is a very low-cost troubleshooting step.
Other Potential Culprits Beyond the Key Fob Battery
If a fresh, high-quality 2007 Dodge Charger key fob battery doesn’t resolve the issue, then the problem likely lies elsewhere. Based on the troubleshooting already performed and the symptoms, here are some other potential areas to investigate:
- SKREEM/SKIS Module: As suspected in the original post, a failing SKREEM module is a strong possibility. These modules can become faulty and cause intermittent no-start conditions. Diagnostic scans specifically targeting the SKREEM/SKIS system might reveal fault codes not seen in generic OBD-II scans.
- Ignition Lock Cylinder: While the ignition switch was replaced, the ignition lock cylinder itself could be worn or faulty. This could explain the intermittent key-in-ignition chime and the need to “jiggle” the key. A failing lock cylinder might not consistently and reliably communicate the key’s presence to the SKREEM.
- Wiring and Connections: Intermittent electrical problems can often be traced to wiring issues. Inspect the wiring harness and connectors related to the ignition switch, SKREEM, PCM, and starter for any signs of corrosion, damage, or loose connections. Pay particular attention to ground connections.
- Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP): Although not explicitly mentioned in the original post, a failing crankshaft position sensor can cause intermittent no-start issues, especially when the engine is warm. However, CKP sensor failures often trigger DTCs.
- Camshaft Position Sensor (CMP): Similar to the CKP sensor, a failing camshaft position sensor could also contribute to starting problems, although it’s less likely to cause a no-crank condition.
Conclusion
While replacing the 2007 Dodge Charger key fob battery might seem like a simple fix, in this detailed scenario, it’s likely not the primary cause of the intermittent starting problem. However, due to its ease and low cost, verifying a fresh, high-quality key fob battery and clean contacts is a worthwhile initial step.
If the issue persists, focus your troubleshooting on more likely culprits such as the SKREEM module, ignition lock cylinder, and related wiring. Professional diagnostic scanning with tools capable of reading SKREEM/SKIS system codes is highly recommended to pinpoint the exact cause and avoid unnecessary parts replacements. Remember to systematically eliminate potential causes, starting with the simplest and most accessible, to effectively resolve your 2007 Dodge Charger starting issue.
