Experiencing issues with your 2011 Grand Cherokee key fob? Like many owners, I encountered frustrating malfunctions with my key fob after about three and a half years of vehicle ownership. It began with the dreaded “Key Battery Low” message popping up on the display. Being a hands-on car enthusiast, I immediately replaced the batteries in both of my key fobs, expecting that to be the end of it. For a short period, the key fob seemed to work fine, but the problems soon returned.
This time, the error messages escalated. Instead of just “Key Battery Low,” I started seeing “Ignition Key Not Detected” and the “Key Battery Low” message reappeared intermittently. Since my 2011 Grand Cherokee was due for a complimentary oil change at the dealership, I decided to mention the key fob issue and asked them to take a look.
During vehicle pick-up, the service manager informed me that the key fob was faulty and quoted a hefty $279 for a replacement. To say I was surprised is an understatement! Knowing that I prefer a DIY approach whenever possible, especially for something that seemed like a potentially simple issue, I declined their offer.
Instead of immediately purchasing a new key fob, I decided to investigate the problem myself. I carefully opened up the malfunctioning key fob to inspect the internal components. I was looking for any signs of damage, such as burnt components or moisture, but everything inside appeared to be in perfect condition. Then, on a whim, I focused on the battery contacts. They seemed somewhat flattened, likely from the pressure of the flat, coin-style battery used in these fobs. On a hunch, I gently bent the four battery contacts upwards, ensuring they would make a more secure connection with the battery.
And guess what? It worked! After reassembling the key fob and testing it, the issues disappeared completely. The “Ignition Key Not Detected” and “Key Battery Low” messages vanished, and the fob functioned flawlessly. It turned out that the seemingly complex key fob problem was simply due to poor battery contact.
As a bonus discovery, I also learned that the push-button cap on the ignition button can be removed to reveal a keyhole. This allows for manual starting of the car with the physical key hidden inside the key fob, a useful backup in case of future key fob issues.
This experience taught me that sometimes the simplest solutions are the most effective. Before rushing to replace your 2011 Grand Cherokee key fob and spending a significant amount of money, take a moment to check the battery contacts. It might just save you a trip to the dealership and a couple hundred dollars!
