Experiencing trouble with your 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee key fob after a battery replacement? You’ve swapped out the old battery, but the fob still seems unresponsive, even with a brand-new battery inside. It’s a frustrating situation, and you might find yourself wondering if you’ve done something wrong. Many Grand Cherokee owners have encountered a similar puzzle: replacing the key fob battery, only to have it seemingly not work.
One owner recently shared their experience, highlighting a peculiar issue. After replacing their key fob battery, they found that despite using several new batteries, none seemed to get the fob working. However, when they re-inserted the original, weaker battery, the fob sprang back to life. This points to something more complex than just a simple battery swap. Their discovery offers a potential solution that might save you a trip to the dealership and unnecessary expenses.
The solution? Try starting your 2021 Grand Cherokee using the key fob itself to press the start button. This is the same method used when your key fob battery is completely dead. In this particular case, performing this “fob-on-start-button” action seemed to reset something within the vehicle’s system or the key fob itself. After starting the vehicle this way, all key fob functions returned to normal.
This suggests that there might be an undocumented process or memory within the Grand Cherokee (or the key fob) that monitors battery levels. When a new battery is installed, the system might not immediately recognize the change in power. This could explain why a simple battery replacement isn’t always enough to get the fob working again. Even dealership staff might not be fully aware of this specific quirk, potentially leading them to suggest more costly solutions like a new key fob or reprogramming services.
The user who shared this fix was offered these expensive options by their dealer, along with the suggestion of a new battery at a significantly inflated price. This experience echoes a growing concern among car owners about increasing costs for even basic maintenance. While older vehicles, like a 2002 Chrysler mentioned in the original account, might have had key fob batteries lasting for many years, newer models like the 2021 Grand Cherokee seem to have a shorter battery lifespan, sometimes just one to two years. Factors like remote start usage can also impact battery drain.
If you’re facing a similar situation with your 2021 Grand Cherokee key fob after a battery change, try the “fob-on-start-button” method. It’s a simple step that could potentially resolve the issue and save you time and money. While not officially documented, this user-discovered trick is worth trying before seeking professional (and potentially costly) help.
