96 Challenger Wierd Starting Sequence!?

[Kenny Tacka]

Everything has been fine for years.
The other day I go to start it, and just got the single error beep. Key made good contact but wouldn't even turn the starter.
After trying everything under the sun, I realized that if I took the lanyard DESS key off, pressed the start button (like I was checking the gas gauge), then put the lanyard back on, I would get the double confirmation beep and it would start fine.
Anybody have an idea what is going on with this thing?

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

The dess key has a resistor inside it, the computer is programmed to accept the resistance of that key, You can program several keys to your mepm. Often corrosion inside the key itself starts to change the resistance and get it to where the computer won't recognize the key. I have cut open a few that were not working and discovered a green corrosion build up on the ends of the resistor. Another issue with those is the key reader itself, they go bad and start to mess up.
I had several that tested ok per the book but changing them fixed the problem,I can't explain it also the ground wires going from the battery to the engine can cause issues with the key and computer as well as a dirty mepm wire harness plug. Removing those and spraying them with silicon spray usually helps.
I had those issues in the past with sea doos.\
If the key or the reader go out completely you are stuck. I always carried a spare key. One thing we would do is wet the inside of the dess key and then plug it back in if the reader didn't recognize it, that usually worked but I have no idea why.