Anti-Theft Problem?

Tiny
BORGWARNER
  • MEMBER
  • 2010 JEEP LIBERTY
  • 3.7L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
I purchased the Jeep with a bad engine. I drove it into my shop, and replaced the short block. Now the starter won't engage. I removed the starter relay and jumped the terminals. The starter turns over. I switched relays. Still not working. I cleaned all chassis grounds, and even installed one directly to the negative battery terminal. Neither key fob will lock or unlock the car. The power windows do not work. I unhooked the battery to recharge it. When I reconnected it, no lights came on when I turned the key to run. When I locked and unlocked the drivers door, then the dash lights came on with the key. I checked the key fob batteries. Both are at 1.6 volts. The jeep sat outside for a month while I located an engine. Is this all caused by the anti-theft system? I also sent in the TIPM and had it checked. No problems found. There are no codes stored.
Friday, August 29th, 2025 AT 12:55 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
So is the security light flashing? If not the alarm is disabled. I would try grounding the yel/drblu wire and the transmission range sensor. Here is the wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works. Please go over this video as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YRW8fyNudY

Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.

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Friday, August 29th, 2025 AT 5:54 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,233 POSTS
The SKIM won't stop the engine from cranking, it disables the fuel system. It will allow it to start and run until it uses up the fuel from the initial prime. The FOBs only operate the locks and alarm and arm disarm the alarm, but they are not needed to start the engine, it is the key that the SKIM reads. It sounds more like an issue with the electronics that control the engine. What year did the short block come from? They are not interchangeable across all years or across the brands it was used in. However that won't stop the starter from turning. What do you have scan tool wise? It can be used to watch the systems as the starter is activated. So if it shows "starter energized" but it isn't turning then the TIPM is being triggered and the issue is between it and the starter. Find the Dark Green with Orange wire in the PCM pin C38 (connector C pin 38) and see if it is grounding when the key is turned to start. That is the signal that triggers the relay. If it is grounding, then look at the Yellow with Gray wire on the starter motor, that is the starter engage signal. It goes hot if the relay is operational.
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Friday, August 29th, 2025 AT 6:10 PM
Tiny
BORGWARNER
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I've made the situation worse. I read a post about the security system, so I tried what it said. I locked all the doors, and waited 15 minutes. As soon as I unlocked the door with the key (not by pressing the fob), the alarm went off. I put the key in the ignition and tried to start the car. Nothing happened except I can't get the alarm to shut off. I disconnected the battery. I let it sit overnight, same thing happened. I replaced the batteries in both key fobs, but nothing changed. The fobs still won't lock or unlock the jeep. So my new problem is that as soon as I reattach the battery cable, the alarm goes off and I don't know how to shut it off.
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Saturday, August 30th, 2025 AT 10:41 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,233 POSTS
OK, it sounds like you also have the additional anti-theft option that secures contents. Open the hood and see if the hood switch is bent or damaged. That could be the reason for the constant alarm. The circled part is what will be sticking up under the hood on the core support above the left headlight.
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Saturday, August 30th, 2025 AT 10:57 AM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,330 POSTS
Hi guys. The alarm is normally turned off by unlocking a door with the key, in addition to using a key fob. On older models, when that didn't work, it was often caused by broken wires between the door hinges. In that case, unlock the front passenger door.
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Saturday, August 30th, 2025 AT 4:20 PM
Tiny
BORGWARNER
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
The jeep only has a key tumbler in the driver's door.
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Sunday, August 31st, 2025 AT 10:40 AM
Tiny
BORGWARNER
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
There is no hood switch.
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Sunday, August 31st, 2025 AT 10:40 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,233 POSTS
No hood switch suggests it doesn't have the OE contents alarm system. Could you take a picture of the fob you have? An aftermarket system could cause the issues you have.
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Sunday, August 31st, 2025 AT 11:15 AM

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