Replacing your 2018 Grand Cherokee Key Fob Battery should be a straightforward task, right? Pop open the fob, swap out the old battery for a fresh one, and you’re good to go. However, some owners, including myself, have encountered a perplexing issue: the new battery doesn’t seem to work. You might find yourself scratching your head, wondering if you bought the wrong battery or if something more serious is wrong with your key fob.
I recently went through this exact scenario with my 2018 Grand Cherokee. I replaced the battery, but the fob remained stubbornly unresponsive. Thinking I had a faulty battery, I tried another, and then another – a total of SEVEN new and used batteries! Each time, the result was the same: nothing. Frustrated, I reinstalled the old, weak battery, and to my surprise, it worked every time. This was baffling.
After some trial and error, I stumbled upon a solution that might sound strange, but it worked for me and could work for you too. The trick is to go to your vehicle and start it using the “fob-on-start-button” method, which you’d typically use when your key fob battery is actually dead. Press the key fob directly against the start button and start your Grand Cherokee as usual.
After doing this, all the key fob functions miraculously returned to normal. The remote start, door locks, everything worked perfectly again with the new battery. It seems that my 2018 Grand Cherokee, and perhaps other models, has some sort of undocumented system for tracking key fob battery levels. When you replace the battery, it doesn’t immediately recognize the new power level. Using the fob directly on the start button might reset or recalibrate this system, allowing it to recognize the new battery.
Even the Jeep dealership staff didn’t seem to be officially aware of this quirk. When I inquired, the dealer’s solution was less than helpful, suggesting I buy a new key fob, a new battery at an inflated price, or pay for reprogramming – none of which were covered under warranty. It felt like a classic case of trying to upsell unnecessary services instead of addressing a simple, albeit unusual, issue. It’s frustrating when manufacturers seem to prioritize profit over simple customer service and DIY maintenance. I’ve owned Chrysler vehicles before and never encountered such issues with key fob battery replacements.
So, if you’re struggling with a new 2018 Grand Cherokee key fob battery that doesn’t seem to work, before you head to the dealership or buy a new fob, try this simple fob-on-start-button method. It might just be the unexpected fix you need to get your key fob working again and save yourself time and money. Hopefully, this little trick helps other 2018 Grand Cherokee owners out there experiencing the same key fob battery puzzle.
