Causes Of Jeep Key Fob Not Detected And Fixings  

Do you get a negative reply of “Key Fob undetected” on your dashboard? Then this article is for you! We understand how frustrating is this to receive from your own jeep after a hard day at work.  

So why jeep key fob not detected? This is an indication signifying a deficient key fob and the cause of this trouble can be a defunct key fob lithium battery. Also, a weakened programming component and a disconnected wire inside your key fob can prevent it from responding positively.  

In this article, we will show you why your jeep wireless key fob indicates undetected and possible ways to fix this problem. Let’s dive in. 

What Is A Wireless Key Fob?

A key fob is a wireless and electronic keyless entry device that makes use of RFID technology to control access to cars. It’s a portable device that remotely regulates your car either to lock, start or unlock. 

A transmission signal flows from this electronic key fob straight to the detector once you stick it out towards the detector and push the lock/unlock button. 

If the RFID alert or signal sent by the electronic key fob corresponds with the programmed information in the detector, it will respond positively by locking, starting or unlocking your jeep. 

How To Detect A Defective Key Fob

To detect a defective key fob, you’ll notice some abnormalities in the functioning of the portable key fob. One major sign is that you’ll need to click the lock, start or unlock buttons severally before it responds. 

Also, the electronic key fob may likely function occasionally and cease. Or it may not even function at all when you want to start your car. Again, the strength of your wireless key fob signal transmission may reduce significantly. 

Thus, if your jeep reader system (detector) initially receives a sound signal from your key fob from a far range but does not respond anymore, this indicates a faulty key fob. 

Causes Of Jeep Key Fob Not Detected

Your Jeep electronic key fob is undetected because there are some underlying problems with either your portable key fob or your jeep. Several complaints from jeep owners indicate that the reasons below are majorly why your wireless key fob indicates undetected on the jeep dashboard. 

A Defunct Key Fob Lithium Battery 

The key fob portable device is a wireless electronic device that uses mostly non-rechargeable small batteries to function. When the non-rechargeable battery dies off because of some avoidable or unavoidable reasons (for example, when kept under a high temperature), your jeep will fail to respond or kickstart. 

However, some jeep owners complained that their key fob refused to work even after changing the battery. It’s either the newly changed battery isn’t good or the fault is from your jeep and may not be from the electronic key fob. 

A Weakened  Programming Component

The programming component is a chip in the form of a module that gives or receives signals for the keyless entry type of car. A defective programming system most likely will hinder your jeep from getting detected by the key fob. 

This ugly situation is one of the prominent reasons why you may experience an undetected remote key fob (this blinks a light in written words of “key fob not detected“) pop-up on your jeep dashboard. 

A Disconnected Wire Was Found Inside The Electronic Key Fob

An electronic key fob doesn’t possess a physical wire connection by merely seeing it. However, internally it’s made up of tiny wires joined together that help to transmit current or power. If any of these wires get disconnected or broken, your remote key fob automatically will refuse to operate. 

An Unfitted Battery

If the battery inserted into the electronic key fob device is not well-fitted, it’ll not function. When you open the key fob, you’ll notice that the terminal on the circuit board is pulled up, which makes the solder connection loose. 

Therefore, this loose solder connection makes the battery pop loose or be unfitted, preventing power to go into the circuit board. But sometimes it would connect and at other times it would be touching. Check out this video to know more about this issue

A Bad Jeep Door Lock

If your car/jeep keyless mode of entry is bad or is malfunctioning, it will not recognise any command issued by the fob. And the lock system may be malfunctioning due to a disconnected or scarred wire. Also, if the jeep/car keyless entry module isn’t functioning properly, it won’t respond to the key fob’s instructions. 

Different Methods To Fix Your Defective Key Fob

Fixing the remote key fob can be achieved through different means. It’s either soldering any loose component, changing the battery or purchasing an entirely new one. However, let’s look at some methods to fix the malfunctioning or non-functioning remote key fob. 

Replace The Defective Lithium Battery

One causative factor for a non-functioning key fob is a defunct or dead battery. This can only be fixed by removing the dead battery and replacing it with a new one. 

Solder The Loose Connection 

For a disconnection at the solder point, all you need to do is to solder the loose connection and allow it to dry before coupling it. You’d need a screwdriver and a lead soldering iron to fix this problem. 

First, unscrew the fob gently with a very small screwdriver. Next, you open it and bring out the circuit board which contains the battery and other components soldered to the board. You’d notice a terminal pulled up which makes the solder connection loose. 

Accordingly, you’ll need to re-solder it because the battery end won’t fit in well, preventing power to go to the circuit board. So, to re-solder, get a lead solder and a hot soldering iron, and place the hot soldering iron and lead solder on the affected area.  

Then release it immediately and allow it to cool down and solidify. After this is properly done, there won’t be any loose connection again.   

Purchase A New Key fob

Buying a new keyfob might just be your last option if after trying every fixing method seems not to work. Besides, new key fobs are very expensive to acquire and even more expensive to get them programmed into your car/jeep. 

However, if you have the money to shell out, you should consider this option and save yourself from all the troubles of a repair. 

Reprogramming 

This method is adopted if you sense that your jeep’s key fob isn’t compatible with the programmed keyless mode of entry of your car. In this case, you’re to reprogram your remote keyfob to fit in with the appropriate programming module of your jeep/car. 

Note that this is best done by an expert mechanic except if you properly know your way around it. Watch this clip to learn more

Remove And Clean The Contact 

If your jeep remote key fob is functioning properly but unrecognised by your jeep when you issue a command, there might be a problem with the contact. To fix this problem, you’d need a flathead screwdriver and other tools to unscrew some bolts. 

First, remove the plastic covering under your steering that safely guards the ignition module. And then bring out the wireless ignition module, unscrew the t15 screw, gently open it and clean every dusty part with a towel. 

The dust on the contacts and the board will prevent communication between the system module and the keyfob. Once you’re done, install it back and tighten every screw. 

You can test your fob now, it’ll most likely respond. You can adopt a DIY technique for this repair or you can visit a mechanic workshop if you don’t know how to fix it.