Experiencing issues with your 2014 Jeep Cherokee key fob after replacing the battery can be incredibly frustrating. You swap out the old battery, expecting everything to work smoothly, but then nothing happens. You might find yourself pressing buttons repeatedly, wondering if you’ve done something wrong. One Jeep Cherokee owner encountered this exact problem and, after trying multiple new batteries, stumbled upon a surprisingly simple solution that might just work for you.
After installing seven different new and used batteries, none of which seemed to get the key fob working, this owner was understandably puzzled. Each time, reverting to the old, failing battery would restore some functionality, highlighting that the issue wasn’t necessarily with the fob itself, but perhaps the new battery installation process. Frustrated with the lack of response from the new batteries, they tried an unconventional approach: using the key fob in the same way you would if the battery was dead – the fob-on-start-button method.
Surprisingly, this action resolved the problem entirely. After starting the 2014 Jeep Cherokee using the fob pressed against the start button, all key fob functions returned to normal. This suggests a potential, undocumented process within the Jeep Cherokee system. It’s possible that either the key fob or the vehicle itself monitors or remembers battery levels. When a new battery is installed, this system might not immediately recognize the change in power, causing the key fob to malfunction. By using the fob-on-start-button method, it seems to reset or recalibrate this system, allowing it to acknowledge the new battery.
Even more surprisingly, when the Jeep owner contacted dealership staff, they didn’t seem to be officially aware of this simple fix. Instead of offering helpful troubleshooting, the dealer reportedly suggested costly solutions such as selling a new key fob, replacing the battery at an inflated price, or reprogramming the existing fob – none of which would be covered under warranty. This experience highlights a common frustration with modern vehicle maintenance, where simple issues can be exaggerated into expensive repairs, even for basic self-maintenance tasks.
Adding to the owner’s frustration, they noted a significant decrease in key fob battery life compared to older Chrysler vehicles. While a 2002 Chrysler key fob battery lasted around 8 years, the 2014 Jeep Cherokee’s battery seemed to last only 1-2 years. Although the newer Jeep Cherokee has remote start, which could contribute to battery drain, the owner mentioned using the remote start feature sparingly and actually using the lock/unlock functions less frequently on the Jeep compared to their older Chrysler, further emphasizing the unexpectedly short battery life.
If you’re facing a non-working key fob on your 2014 Jeep Cherokee after a battery replacement, try this simple, undocumented trick: go to your vehicle and start it using the fob-on-start-button method. It might just be the quick and easy solution you need to get your key fob working again without any unnecessary dealer visits or expenses.
