Replacing the battery in your 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee key fob should be a straightforward task. However, sometimes, even with a brand new battery, your key fob might still fail to operate correctly. You might find yourself in a situation where your old, seemingly dead battery works, but fresh replacements don’t. This can be frustrating, especially when you expect a simple battery swap to solve the problem.
One Jeep Grand Cherokee owner recently encountered this exact issue. After trying several new batteries in their 2018 key fob, none of them seemed to work. Each time, upon reinserting the original, failing battery, the key fob sprang back to life. This perplexing situation led to a simple yet effective solution that might help other Jeep owners facing the same challenge.
The key to resolving this issue might be simpler than you think: starting your vehicle using the key fob’s emergency method. This involves using the key fob to press the ignition button, just as you would do if your key fob battery were completely dead.
After performing this emergency start procedure, the Jeep owner discovered that their key fob miraculously began functioning normally with the new battery. All functions, including remote start, locking, and unlocking, were restored.
This experience suggests a possible, though undocumented, feature in the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee (and potentially other models). It’s possible that the vehicle’s system or the key fob itself has a memory or process that monitors battery levels. When you replace the battery, the system might not immediately recognize the new power level, leading to continued malfunction. The emergency start procedure could act as a reset, allowing the system to acknowledge the new battery and restore normal key fob operation.
Even dealership staff might not be fully aware of this quirk, as the user in question noted that even they seemed unsure about this specific issue. Dealers might readily suggest more costly solutions like a new key fob or reprogramming, potentially overlooking this simple fix.
If you are experiencing issues with your 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee key fob after a battery replacement, try this simple restart method before resorting to more expensive solutions. It could save you time and money, and get your key fob working again quickly.
Here’s a summary of the troubleshooting steps:
- Replace the battery: Ensure you are using the correct CR2032 battery for your 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee key fob.
- Emergency Start Procedure: Go to your vehicle and attempt to start it by pressing the start button with your key fob. This is the same method used when the key fob battery is dead.
- Test Key Fob Functions: After starting the vehicle, test all key fob functions (remote start, lock, unlock, panic button).
If these steps do not resolve the issue, there might be other underlying problems. However, for many 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners facing this specific post-battery replacement problem, this simple vehicle restart could be the unexpected solution.
It’s also worth noting the user’s observation about battery lifespan. While older Chrysler key fobs reportedly lasted for many years, the newer Jeep key fobs seem to require battery replacements much more frequently, sometimes every 1-2 years. Factors like remote start usage could contribute to this shorter lifespan. Being aware of this can help you anticipate battery changes and potentially avoid being caught off guard by a non-functioning key fob.
By understanding this potential quirk in the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee key fob system, you can be better prepared to handle battery replacements and troubleshoot issues effectively. Always start with the simplest solutions, and sometimes, a vehicle restart is all it takes to get everything working again.
