Vehicle Theft Alarm: Description

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2020 Jeep Renegade. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The Vehicle Theft Alarm (VTA) is factory-installed equipment on this vehicle. VTA is available in two different configurations; base and premium. The base system provides perimeter vehicle protection by monitoring the vehicle doors, the ignition status and the liftgate. In vehicles built for certain markets where it is required equipment, the perimeter protection also includes monitoring of the hood.

The premium system adds vehicle interior intrusion and anti-tilt protection to the features found in the base system. If unauthorized vehicle access, intrusion or tampering is detected with either of these systems, either the vehicle horn or an alarm siren (if equipped) is pulsed as an audible deterrent and certain exterior lamps are flashed as a visual deterrent.

The VTA includes the following major components, which are described in further detail elsewhere in this service information:

Ajar Switches - An ajar switch is integrated into the latch mechanism of each front door, rear door and the liftgate. In vehicles manufactured for certain markets where it is required or equipped with the optional remote start system, a hood ajar switch is integrated into the left hood latch mechanism.
Alarm Siren Module - An alarm siren module is located on the engine compartment side of the dash panel. The alarm siren is used only in vehicles built for sale in certain markets where it is required equipment. Refer to SIREN, DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION .
Body Control Module - The Body Control Module (BCM) is concealed within the instrument panel outboard of the steering column. Refer to MODULE, BODY CONTROL (BCM), DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION .
Ignition Switch - The ignition switch is located on the right side of the steering column in vehicles without the optional Passive Entry Keyless Go (PEKG) system.
Keyless Ignition Node - The Keyless Ignition Node (KIN) is located on the right side of the steering column in vehicles with the optional PEKG system.
Radio Frequency Hub - The Radio Frequency Hub (RFH) is located on the upper liftgate opening header where it is concealed above the rear headliner trim. The RFH is only part of the vehicle theft alarm in vehicles equipped with the optional PEKG system. Refer to MODULE, RADIO FREQUENCY (RF HUB), DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION .
Security Indicator - The security indicator is integrated into the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) located in the instrument panel above the steering column and directly in front of the driver. Refer to DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION .
Ultrasonic And Anti-tilt Module - In vehicles equipped with the premium VTA, an Ultrasonic and Anti-tilt Module (UAM) is integrated into the roof lamp unit in the headliner near the center of the upper windshield opening header panel.

The BCM, the IPC and the RFH each contain a microcontroller and programming that allow them to communicate with each other and other electronic modules in the vehicle using the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus. In addition, in vehicles so equipped the KIN, the RFH, the UAM, the alarm siren module and the BCM communicate with each other using a Local Interface Network (LIN) data bus. Refer to COMMUNICATION, DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION .