Experiencing trouble starting your 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee can be frustrating. If you’ve encountered a situation where your engine cranks but doesn’t start, and perhaps noticed an “Electronic Throttle” warning light, you’re not alone. Often, these starting issues can be surprisingly linked to your key fob. Let’s explore potential causes and solutions, starting with a simple fix.
One often-overlooked culprit for starting problems in your 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the key fob battery. A low battery in your key fob can lead to a variety of symptoms, including intermittent starting issues and “Key Not Detected” or “Key Battery Low” messages appearing in your vehicle’s Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). Even if you aren’t seeing these specific messages, a weak key fob battery can still be the source of your headaches.
Think of it this way: your Jeep relies on a signal from your key fob to enable the starting process. If the battery is weak, this signal can become unreliable. This might explain why sometimes your Jeep starts without a hitch, and other times it simply cranks without turning over. Some drivers have even reported that holding the key fob closer to the dashboard, where the start and go antenna is located behind the Heat/AC controls, can sometimes help in these situations.
The easiest and least expensive first step to troubleshoot starting problems, especially if you suspect a key fob issue, is to replace the battery in your 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Key Fob. It’s a simple fix that can potentially resolve the problem entirely, saving you time and more costly repairs down the road.
However, if replacing your key fob battery doesn’t solve the issue, or if your starting problems are characterized by prolonged cranking before the engine finally turns over, another potential cause could be related to your fuel system. Specifically, a failing check valve within your fuel pump might be the culprit.
The fuel pump check valve is designed to maintain fuel pressure within the system even after the engine is turned off. This ensures that when you next attempt to start your Jeep, there’s already fuel pressure readily available for a quick and smooth ignition. If this check valve begins to leak, fuel pressure can dissipate after the engine is shut down. Consequently, when you try to restart, the fuel pump has to work harder and take longer to rebuild fuel pressure before enough fuel reaches the engine for it to start. This manifests as extended cranking times.
To test if a leaky fuel pump check valve is contributing to your 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee starting problems, you can try a simple technique. Before fully starting your engine, turn the ignition to the “run” position (without starting the engine). You can do this by pressing the start button once or twice without pressing the brake pedal. Wait for a few seconds in this “run” position, allowing the fuel pump to prime the system and build pressure. Then, with your foot on the brake, fully press the start button to start the engine. If your Jeep starts normally after this pre-priming step, it could indicate a problem with the fuel pump check valve.
Unfortunately, if the issue does stem from a faulty fuel pump check valve, the repair is often more involved. Typically, the check valve is not a separately replaceable component, meaning that the entire fuel pump assembly may need to be replaced, which can be a more expensive repair.
Interestingly, some vehicle manufacturers, like Nissan, incorporate a deliberate 2-3 second delay between pressing the start button and the engine cranking. This built-in delay allows the fuel pump to prime the system every time you start the vehicle, potentially leading to more consistently reliable starts, although it sacrifices the instant engine start that many drivers appreciate.
In conclusion, if you’re experiencing starting issues with your 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee, especially in conjunction with potential key fob related messages or electronic throttle warnings, start with the simplest and cheapest solution: replacing your key fob battery. If the problem persists, consider the possibility of a fuel pump check valve issue, particularly if you notice prolonged engine cranking. Testing the fuel pump priming method can help you diagnose this potential problem, but fuel pump replacement may be necessary to fully resolve it.
