Remote keyless entry

Tiny
MAGMUSHROOM
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
  • 4.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
I'm asking on my father's behalf
The jeep is currently off the road. Awaiting mechanical repair (front anti roll bar bushes) and had developed a serious prob. Battery went flat due to standing so was fully recharged and locked/unlocked & started np's on Wed, but today (Fri) keyless entry and starting was not possible? New batteries in remote fob but still not unlock/lock and so no start due to immobilizer. Is there any way to test remote functionality as it has no visible indicators, no little red led lights on it nor is there a clear led (like on a tv remote that pokes out the front)?
I have tried to re-sync the remote but as it appears dead I have no way to check if it is synching?
I've seen the remote fobs on ebay if I buy one do I simply sync the New one or does it have to go the dealers? I don't have local dealer anymore
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Friday, January 31st, 2014 AT 11:56 AM

56 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
Try resetting your security system

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-reset-a-security-system

Let us know
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Friday, January 25th, 2019 AT 5:54 PM
Tiny
MAGMUSHROOM
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Cheers, will have a look on web, manuals are useless only tells u how it operates and how to re-sync the remote fob. As far as I can tell without a working fob there's no way round ff alarm and immobiliser?
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Friday, January 25th, 2019 AT 5:54 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
Ya but you need a scanner tofix that if round off means to fix it
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Friday, January 25th, 2019 AT 5:54 PM
Tiny
MAGMUSHROOM
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Not round off? The alarm is ff (factory fit) and the remote fob unlock has to be pressed in order to signal the immobiliser u intend to start the vehicle and as it appears the fob is not working (as I can't test it) the jeep won't start and I can't see a way of switching the alarm Or immobiliser off. If it is the fob at fault can I simply buy another and sync it or does it need a scan tool to sync it?
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Friday, January 25th, 2019 AT 5:54 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
Some need to be scanned to reset it if you have another one and it will start the car then you can just get another one and set it up like that otherwise it has to be programmed with a scanner. Most auto parts in u.S. Can test the key fob. So it may be an imobilizser problem which will require a scanner to fix it
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Friday, January 25th, 2019 AT 5:54 PM
Tiny
MAGMUSHROOM
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Can't understand how one day it's fine nxt nothing?
Btw we are in the UK and only have 1 fob, so to buy one only to have to find someone to program it, if there was leds in there I could check it but the no visual indicator to show when a button has been pressed? The old batteries appear ok good voltage etc, but New ones were put in as a precaution? My Vauxhall has similar system but a little black chip inside if lost needs expensive reprogrammed key but I'd have thought there would be a way to switch off the alarm/immobiliser without a fob? What are u supposed to do if your fob dies miles from home?
Idk it just looks like a standard 2 button alarm fob and on a 97 model I wouldn't have thought it would need reprogramming the a new fob bit no one seems to have a definitive answer to that Q?
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Friday, January 25th, 2019 AT 5:54 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
Normally if the key fob dies it'sno big deal the car will still start that is why I think there is something wrong with system or another problem
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Friday, January 25th, 2019 AT 5:54 PM
Tiny
MAGMUSHROOM
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
As far as I can make out from the owners manual, (Haynes workshop manual doesn't mention alarm, etc.) The car can be locked/unlocked in various ways but the only way to start the car is to press unlock on the remote fob and turn key within 20 Or 30 secs if u don't press unlock on remote the immobiliser stays on and the car won't start. The owners manual says there is no way round it? I really don't understand the logic behind that as I said in my previous post what if your far from anywhere and the fob fails your stuck. It's all well and good resetting everything but it won't turn it off. I'd have thought there would be a way to start the vehicle in those circumstances. My remote fob for my car has a transponder chip inside that doesn't require any power if my fob don't work to unlock my car I just use the key and it'll still run if chip is present. Loose the chip and it's expensive. Rovers are similar so why are jeeps so diff?
Idk what to do with it?
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Friday, January 25th, 2019 AT 5:54 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
Vehicles equipped with Vehicle Theft Security System (VTSS) are protected from vehicle theft and unauthorized entry. VTSS system monitors vehicle doors, liftgate and ignition system. If an attempt is made to enter or operate vehicle without proper disarming of system, vehicle horn will sound, headlights, taillights and parking lights will flash, and engine will be prevented from running.
VTSS system arms when ignition key is removed from ignition switch, headlights are off and doors are locked using power door lock switch. Alternatively a remote keyless entry transmitter can be used to arm system. A security light on panel will flash for 15 seconds to indicate system is arming. At the end of 15 seconds, if no door or tailgate is opened, system is armed.
If alarm is triggered, horn will sound for 3 minutes, and lights will flash for an additional 15 minutes. If horn sounds 3 times when either front door is unlocked, vehicle has been tampered with (tamper alert). If doors are locked manually or with key, system will not arm (manual override). If an unauthorized entry does occur, VTSS system signals Powertrain Control Module (PCM) to prevent vehicle from being driven. PCM reduces injector pulse width to zero, causing a start and stall condition.
System can be disarmed with the keyless entry transmitter, or by using key to enter vehicle. In both instances, if alarm was activated, vehicle alarm will be terminated. If battery is disconnected and reconnected, alarm will be activated and it will be necessary to disarm system.
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Friday, January 25th, 2019 AT 5:54 PM
Tiny
MAGMUSHROOM
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Thanks. Will have to check in drivers door I think he has a prob with the external door lock but I'll sort that and hopefully he can start it but I still don't know why it suddenly gave up the ghost. I know that model has a wiring prob associated with drivers door and it has been raining more than usual?But still thanks again ppl
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Friday, January 25th, 2019 AT 5:54 PM
Tiny
RITCHIE589
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 90,000 MILES
I have a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2.5 diesel right hand drive. The alarm fob will not unlock door nor disable alarm and allow car to start. I have put fresah batteries in fob and have confirmed that it is transmitting a signal. What next? Can I permanently disable the alarm if so how?
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Sunday, January 5th, 2020 AT 7:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
System can be disarmed by unlocking a front door, liftgate if not by remote keyless entry transmitter(fob)
check door jam wiring harness
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Sunday, January 5th, 2020 AT 7:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ERNESTO123
  • MEMBER
  • 26 POSTS
You cannot dissable the alarm permanently but you can reset it. That vehicle comes equiped with a VTSS Module (Vehicle Theft Security System). Locate it under the dashboard, left side, just the place you put your left knee while sitting on the driver's seat. Underneeth, the module has three connectors. One of them is square shaped. No need to unplug any, jus locate a violet wire with a black stripe, pinch it for a fraction of a second with a sewing pinch connected to a good ground. That will instantly dissable the alarm. What you have just done is what the door key switch does every time you unlock the vehicle from the outside by using your key. If you need to always use this procedure for disarming the alarm, then there might be a faulty swich sending spurious signals to the VTSS. The switches to inspect are the four doors open switches, liftgate open switch and hood open switch (this last one is a mercury one located on the base of the lamp that lights the engine compartment when the hood is lifted, it hangs from under the hood). Instead of wanting to disable the alarm permanently you can not arm it. You do that by always locking the doors manulally either by sliding the locks or by using your key to lock the vehicle from the outside. Do all this without moving the door lock switch levers that are on each front door.
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Sunday, January 5th, 2020 AT 7:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
REIKIWARRIOR777
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The the key remote has been squashed so its not working but have got another remote from another jeep will have to be reprogramed? The red light on the dash is still flashing, but dont no how to bypass the imobliser its a 1998 grand cherokee ltd so is the VTSS connected to the imobiliser not sure many thanks
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Sunday, January 5th, 2020 AT 7:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
J.STIEG
  • MEMBER
  • 352 POSTS
  • 1994 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
  • 150,000 MILES
I was haveing a problem with an electrical drain and I found that fuse #8 was causing the problem, so I pulled it out and it set the security.

How do I reset the security?
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Sunday, January 5th, 2020 AT 7:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Close all doors, hood and trunk and use the key to lock and unlock the door to disarm the system.
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Sunday, January 5th, 2020 AT 7:23 PM (Merged)
Tiny
REIKIWARRIOR777
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The VTSS is arming as the light is flashing on the dash but with the squashed remote carnt disarm the jeep il try the violet wire 1st then get the engine started and sort a new remote out
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Sunday, January 5th, 2020 AT 7:23 PM (Merged)
Tiny
J.STIEG
  • MEMBER
  • 352 POSTS
I closed the doors and hood and unlocked the driver side door with the key and the security is disabled. Jeep starts fine.

Every time I disconnect the battery the security will set. It did not do that before. Not a big deal but seems abnormal. Any ideas, thanks
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Sunday, January 5th, 2020 AT 7:23 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,758 POSTS
No, that is normal. It happens to us all the time when working on a vehicle.
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Sunday, January 5th, 2020 AT 7:23 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ATTICUS0420
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 190,000 MILES
I have a 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo that is having "issues". I get in it to start it and it doesn't even turn over, then the lights start flashing and the interior security light starts blinking. I have to get out of the car, lock the door, unlock the door to disable the security, then try to start it again. I have to do this over, and over, and over, until finally the jeep starts. It almost acts as if there is a kill switch that is screwing up and preventing me from starting the car. The thing is, I had a mechanic friend of mine look at it and he says there is not a kill switch. What the heck is going on and how can I fix this cheaply. Money is definitely an issue.
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Sunday, January 5th, 2020 AT 7:23 PM (Merged)

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