Electronics reprogramming

[charger_john]

I am a new owner of a new 2009 Charger R/T. This is a great car but like all new vehicles these days, it has some annoying features which I will be removing in the near future.

Maybe some of these things can be programmed-out? Does anyone know how?

Or if I have to go into the electrical system, where would I get the diagrams? There is a service manual for sale over at mopar.com but it's not clear if complete electrical data is included.

Here goes:
(1) The beeper that goes off when the key is left in with door open, or lights left on, or seat belt unfastened. This has got to go. A car should never, ever, beep at its owner.

(2) The power-accessory delay is nice, but why does it have to turn off when I open the drivers door? I want this feature to remain on for the prescribed time, even when I open the door(s).

(3) Seat-belt warning light in the instrument cluster has got to go. I always wear my seat belt, but would rather not have the car tell me to.

(4) I can't shift it out of park until I step on the brale - even if the key is "ON". This is ridiculous and inconvenient. Anyone know how to make it shiftable anytime the key is "ON" without having to needlessly apply the brake?

I always make these mods on cars I've owned, but it keeps gettiing harder. Thanks for any leads. Or, when I figure it out myself, I'll try and pass on the data here.

[aries4life]

You may be disconnecting some bulbs and a noisemaker - lol. I don't understand why you have a problem with applying the brake when you change gears on an automatic transmission. Could you explain it?

Does anyone have the service manual for the LC platform in PDF format?

[charginscott]

Most everything on these cars is controlled by the computer. You would have to find someone with a Starscan and very good knowledge of how to use it, to get most things done.

As far as the brake push to get it out of park - that is safety related and do not think it can be over ridden.

[krcossin]

Welcome John, not sure where your from nonetheless great ride you bought there.

With a starscan (mostly a dealer tool) might be able to reprogram some of the features you would prefer not to have. The requirement for pushing brake pedal to get out of park is really a safety feature that I personally like to save the transmission from that time of being in a rush pushing the gas, forcing the trans out of park into reverse and possibly causing damage. However, you might be able to over ride this feature by learning more about what it is that requires it, Shift Mechanism Pink Thingy Explained - with links.
It might be possible to remove that pink thingy, but I never tried it.

[hawkxp]

Also the brake to shift is a "Audi" solution...

Remember in the 80s when Audi's suddenly lurched forward or backward.. It was found to be due to their high idle RPM and the car being shifted into gear without the break on.

[Tee]

Also the brake to shift is a "Audi" solution...

Remember in the 80s when Audi's suddenly lurched forward or backward.. It was found to be due to their high idle RPM and the car being shifted into gear without the break on.

This is also a safety for if a child should slide under the steering wheel, car running unattended. Maybe you're not worried about something like that................

[HerDaytona]

Mr charger john in the 07 owners manual turning off the seat belt chime was list under "Things to know before starting your car". Get in buckle up key in ign. Turn key on, wait for lites to go out after seat belt guy lite goes out then unbuckle and buckle up at least 3 times leaving buckled up within about 1o seconds and turn key to lock and a single chime will anounce. Now this in on the 07's. You have an 09 and probaly a "fancy" key fob. May not work on your 09 but you could look in the owners manual to see if there is a new way it is explained.

[aries4life]

Mr charger john in the 07 owners manual turning off the seat belt chime was list under "Things to know before starting your car". Get in buckle up key in ign. Turn key on, wait for lites to go out after seat belt guy lite goes out then unbuckle and buckle up at least 3 times leaving buckled up within about 1o seconds and turn key to lock and a single chime will anounce. Now this in on the 07's. You have an 09 and probaly a "fancy" key fob. May not work on your 09 but you could look in the owners manual to see if there is a new way it is explained.

Y'all need to read his post a little more closely, methinks.

In this case in particular, he wishes to do away with the seat belt LIGHT. Remove LED from board...

There are chimes that remind the operator that certain events have taken place. He wishes for all chimes to cease. No chimes under ANY circumstances. Remove speaker.

The stereo keeps playing for a time after the key is removed from the ignition so long as the doors remain closed. He wishes for the power accessories to continue playing for the set amount of time regardless of what you do with the doors... The reasoning behind this one and the grievance with holding the brake to shift gears is beyond me and I have not the first flippin clue if it's possible to get these to do what he wants without a Chrysler Electronics Engineer working on the car.

Good luck

[Mr. iNCREDIBLE]

I am a new owner of a new 2009 Charger R/T. This is a great car but like all new vehicles these days, it has some annoying features which I will be removing in the near future.

Maybe some of these things can be programmed-out? Does anyone know how?

Or if I have to go into the electrical system, where would I get the diagrams? There is a service manual for sale over at mopar.com but it's not clear if complete electrical data is included.

Here goes:
(1) The beeper that goes off when the key is left in with door open, or lights left on, or seat belt unfastened. This has got to go. A car should never, ever, beep at its owner.

it's a tiny itty bitty PC speaker/beeper on the CCN, unless you feel like cracking open the cluster and de-soldering it.. you are stuck...


(2) The power-accessory delay is nice, but why does it have to turn off when I open the drivers door? I want this feature to remain on for the prescribed time, even when I open the door(s).

because most people when they exit the car mean for it to turn off as they are no longer in the car, if you are looking to keep the radio on for awhile while you wash the car or some such thing, then roll down window, leave key in ignition, open door, exit car, reach in and remove key (door still closed so RAP stays active) and if the need arises quickly pop the auto up on the window switch to close the window..

now the radio is on for 10 minutes until the RAP times out.

(3) Seat-belt warning light in the instrument cluster has got to go. I always wear my seat belt, but would rather not have the car tell me to.

read the owners manual, there is a way to override it. the dash light will stay lit but the beeper will not warn you and the light will not flash.

if you want to remove the light, well again it is a micro LED soldered onto the cluster.. have fun..

(4) I can't shift it out of park until I step on the brale - even if the key is "ON". This is ridiculous and inconvenient. Anyone know how to make it shiftable anytime the key is "ON" without having to needlessly apply the brake?

you can't be serious? no offense, I have heard a lot of people complain about a lot of things, but this is just.. . it falls in line with people removing the windshield wipers because they don't look cool, or driving at night without headlights on, or disconnecting the airbag system and putting TV's in the steering wheel and dashboard..

I'd like to see you do it, because then you will post up complaining how Chrysler denied a warranty service claim on a busted tranmission and bell housing because you mashed the gas before the tranmission had time to lock into gear and you broke your car..

I always make these mods on cars I've owned, but it keeps gettiing harder. Thanks for any leads. Or, when I figure it out myself, I'll try and pass on the data here.

[charger_john]

I appreciate the responses. Even though half of you think I'm nuts. (Maybe someday we will meet and then you will know it for sure.)

As for manuals & wiring diagrams... I came across item #360119730400 on Ebay which is a 2005-07 service manual burned onto a CD. He wants $88 for it and I think that's probably a good investment. But can anyone tell me if it includes the electrical diagrams? I asked the seller and he didn't respond. My last car (Ford T-Bird) had different manuals for electrical, body, engine, etc.... if Dodge puts it all in one book, that's great, but I'd like to know for sure.

Since you've read this far I've got a couple more.....

(1) I have dual-zone auto-temp climate control. My owners manual says the air conditioner should be user selectable via the pushbutton (unless the system is set to "auto"). But my A/C is cycling on and off anyway. I live in Seattle, the weather is cool and I've got the heat on, not "auto" mode. Does this sound normal? (If so I'll need to get rid of this feature too.)

(2) My car has so many gadgets and options, I'm surprised by the lack of a glove box lamp or courtesy lights in the front footwell areas. Do other LX models have these lights? I might try to retrofit them in someday.

Cheers,
John in Kent, WA

[plcman]

Manuals are not even close plus really illegal. You can buy the manuals online from tech connect.

[charger_john]

[quote=Mr. iNCREDIBLE;1986436]
it's a tiny itty bitty PC speaker/beeper on the CCN, unless you feel like cracking open the cluster and de-soldering it.. you are stuck...


This is useful info, thanks! But can you tell me what the CCN is and where? I'm sure you're right, I'm going to have to get at the instrument cluster.

-charger_john

[plcman]

I can tell you, from someone that has looked at the instrument cluster and has repaired a unit for someone, unless you have the proper tools to remove this part you are asking for problems. This is not for just anyone to tackle.
I have over 35 years experiance in board level repair, of thousands of different products, this is a multilayered PC board and very fragile. Good luck!

And this is my .02 cents I would not like to have a car after you have owned it.

[Mr. iNCREDIBLE]

[quote=charger_john;1991386]

it's a tiny itty bitty PC speaker/beeper on the CCN, unless you feel like cracking open the cluster and de-soldering it.. you are stuck...


This is useful info, thanks! But can you tell me what the CCN is and where? I'm sure you're right, I'm going to have to get at the instrument cluster.

-charger_john

the CCN is the PCB board on the back of the cluster..

I can tell you, from someone that has looked at the instrument cluster and has repaired a unit for someone, unless you have the proper tools to remove this part you are asking for problems. This is not for just anyone to tackle.
I have over 35 years experiance in board level repair, of thousands of different products, this is a multilayered PC board and very fragile. Good luck!

And this is my .02 cents I would not like to have a car after you have owned it.

I agree 100%, I wouldn't mess with it ever, it is designed a specific way for a reason.

[charger_john]

I majored in engineering and make my living doing electronics work on 707's. I can handle it. This car has already had a few wires cut and soldered and I've only had it 10 days and don't have the electrical diagrams yet. When I get them I'll start to make real progress. Time permitting, of course.
I keep coming up with new problems. Like, why does the car decide for me when to turn the air conditioning on?

It may take a few months in all, to have everything done to my satisfaction.

Chrysler spent great effort putting in some of these features, I suppose some of you like them, but I am going to great efforts to eliminate them and make my car more user friendly.

Cheers,
charger_john