Replacing the battery in your 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo key fob should be a straightforward task. You pop open the fob, swap out the old battery for a fresh one, and you’re good to go, right? However, some Jeep owners, including myself, have encountered a perplexing issue: installing a new battery doesn’t immediately restore the key fob’s functionality. You might find yourself trying multiple new batteries, scratching your head as the old, weak battery stubbornly continues to work while the new ones seem dead on arrival.
This was exactly the situation I faced. After replacing my 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo key fob battery, I was baffled when it failed to operate. I tried seven different batteries, both new and used, each time with the same frustrating result. Putting the old, dying battery back in? Worked perfectly. It was a head-scratching automotive mystery.
Then, through a bit of experimentation, I stumbled upon a solution that might seem counterintuitive but proved to be the key to getting my new key fob battery to work. The trick? Using the key fob to start the vehicle directly, employing the “fob-on-start-button” method – the same technique you’d use if your key fob battery were completely dead.
After inserting the new battery and then starting my 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo by pressing the fob directly against the start button, everything sprang back to life. All key fob functions – remote locking, unlocking, and remote start – returned to normal.
This experience leads me to believe that there’s an undocumented process, either within the key fob itself or the Jeep’s vehicle system, that monitors battery levels. When you replace the battery, it seems this system doesn’t immediately recognize the new power level. It’s almost as if there’s a memory or reset procedure required that isn’t common knowledge, even among Jeep dealership staff. In fact, when I inquired, the dealership didn’t offer this simple fix. Instead, they proposed solutions that were less helpful and more costly, such as selling me a new key fob, a new battery at an inflated price, or reprogramming the existing fob – none of which would have been covered under warranty. It’s a frustrating scenario, and unfortunately, it seems to be a growing trend across many manufacturers, not just in the automotive industry. Basic maintenance tasks are becoming unnecessarily complicated, pushing customers towards expensive dealer services.
It’s also worth noting the lifespan of these key fob batteries. My older Chrysler vehicle’s key fob battery lasted for approximately 8 years. In contrast, the battery in my 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo seems to last only 1-2 years. While my older vehicle didn’t have remote start, I used its key fob regularly for locking and unlocking doors. With the Jeep, I consciously limit these actions to conserve battery, primarily using the remote start feature when necessary.
If you’re struggling after a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo Key Fob Battery Replacement, before you spend money on dealership services or a new fob, try this simple “fob-on-start-button” method. It might just be the unexpected fix you need to get your new battery working and your key fob functioning perfectly again.
