Replacing the battery in your Jeep Cherokee key fob should be a straightforward task. However, some owners have encountered a perplexing issue: after installing a new battery, the key fob refuses to work. You might find yourself in a situation where your old, dying battery still operates the fob, but fresh, new batteries don’t seem to do the trick. This can be frustrating, especially when you expect a simple battery swap to solve your key fob problems.
One Jeep Cherokee owner shared their experience and a surprisingly simple solution that might work for you. After trying several new batteries without success, they discovered that the key fob only began functioning correctly after performing a specific step inside the vehicle. This involved using the key fob to start the ignition in the same manner as you would when the fob battery is completely dead – by pressing the fob directly against the start button.
This “fob-on-start-button” method seemed to reset or recalibrate something within the Jeep’s system, allowing it to recognize the newly installed battery. The owner suspects that there might be an undocumented memory or process in the fob or vehicle that monitors battery levels. When a new battery is inserted, this system might not immediately register the change in power, causing the fob to malfunction until this reset procedure is performed.
Even dealership staff may not be fully aware of this quirk, potentially leading them to suggest more costly solutions like a new key fob or reprogramming services. Before considering expensive options, trying this simple reset method could save you time and money. If you’re experiencing issues with your Jeep Cherokee key fob after a battery change, attempting the “fob-on-start-button” method is a quick and easy troubleshooting step worth trying. It might just be the undocumented trick to get your key fob working again.
