HELP! - Jeep Cherokee Alarm Fault

**Jay2001** · 07-17-2005, 12:12 PM

Hi all,

Car: 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Orvis (UK)

I have gone out to my car this after noon and the key fob has no effect on the car. When I press the unlock button my Jeep remains unaffected. The car next to mine bleeps and flashes it's indicators suggesting some interference but it doesn't unlock it.

I have been out and purchased a new pair of batteries for the key fob, same result.

I have tried the new batteries in the second key fob, same result.

The car worked fine this morning at about 11am and this problem was noticed at about 4pm so something has gone wrong in those 5 hours.

There is nothing in the car that could have drained the battery.

If I unlock the door with the key the central locking doesn't work but I don't know if this is usual behavior as I have never used the key in the door before! It also doesn't unset the alarm or the imobiliser so when I open the now unlocked door the alarm goes off. Having closed the door the alarm resets after about 10-15 seconds.

Anyone any idea what could be causing this, and more importantly, how to fix it before work tomorrow?

**0l33l** · 07-17-2005, 04:33 PM

**marshallh** · 07-17-2005, 04:37 PM

Maybe your solenoids are shot, or the fuse for that was blown? My sister had the exact same problem with her Civic.

**Jay2001** · 07-18-2005, 05:59 AM

Originally Posted by marshallh

Maybe your solenoids are shot, or the fuse for that was blown? My sister had the exact same problem with her Civic.

I am currently suspecting the sensor as I wouldn't have thought a single solenoid or fuse would take out alarm/imobiliser/central locking all at the same time...

**Jay2001** · 07-19-2005, 08:16 AM

OK, well apparently the Alarm just needed resetting. Do any Jeep owners here know if there is a way to deactivate the security system without the keyfob?

I am wondering what you would do if you were out in the middle of nowhere and the batteries went flat...

On my rover you could enter a code using the key in the drivers door lock for example.

Any one know?

**binary.h4x** · 07-19-2005, 04:47 PM

why not just disconnect the battery and then reconnect it?

**Jay2001** · 07-24-2005, 07:18 AM

Originally Posted by binary.h4x

why not just disconnect the battery and then reconnect it?

That doesn't reset the alarm.

**muldrick** · 07-24-2005, 07:50 AM

Use the key to lock/unlock the RF door. If it doesn't reset (alarm turns off), there's a problem with that door lock cylinder (or actually a switch on the back of it)

If it doesn't reset, try the LF door. Either door should reset it.

EDIT: you're UK....I switched the doors above

**Jay2001** · 07-24-2005, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by muldrick

Use the key to lock/unlock the RF door. If it doesn't reset (alarm turns off), there's a problem with that door lock cylinder (or actually a switch on the back of it)

If it doesn't reset, try the LF door. Either door should reset it.

EDIT: you're UK....I switched the doors above

Sorry, you misunderstand. The Alarm had gone into a "Fail Safe" mode and could not be "reset" without the aid of a compenent auto-electrician. Nothing wrong with the keys, the door lock cylinders, or the key fob transmitter.

Once in this mode unlocking either door with the key will allow that door to be opened but will not unset the alarm, the imobiliser, or pop the central locking.

Thanks for trying though.

**muldrick** · 07-24-2005, 09:37 PM

Got ya'.
That's messed up...what caused it? Hate to see this happen on a trip to BFE.
I used to work on these and I remember if the wrong key was used, the car would crank and start, but then stall. After a couple of tries the starter would "deactivate". I remember once the starter quit, the customer would be screwed and need dealer service. Is this what happened?

Still seems like you had a component failure or glits, if it wouldn't start to begin with.