[justJK]

I've tried to massage google and the forum and can't turn up much to an answer for this issue.

I have an 07 GC SRT8 - this started months ago, but rarely and was very random. Unfortunately it has become more consistent and is starting to get to be a real PITA.

Issue: with the keyfob I can unlock it with fob, drive away, stop at a location, get out and the Jeep, and she won't lock with fob.

Or maybe the next time, drive, stop at location, it will lock with fob, but when I come back, it won't unlock with fob. In which case I need to manually open with the key, set off the alarm and start the car.

I have two fobs and it will do this on either. I've replaced the batteries on both, they are newer type fobs so no solder joints with the connection around the batteries coming lose, no solder joints messed up, and I even slightly bent up the contacts that are on mine that come in contact with the battery and circuit board to ensure good connection with the battery. I truly do not believe it's a fob problem since, if one is acting up when I'm at home, I'll go get the other to see if it works. Same results - neither will work.

Tonight it did this - I remote started it with fob, ran it 5 or so minutes to warm it up, and then went to leave and it won't unlock with the fob. So now I need to set off the alarm with opening it up with the key. I drive away to the store and turn it off, get out, and this time in locks with the fob. I go shopping for groceries (30min) and come back out. It won't unlock with fob. Set off alarm, start car and head home.
Get home turn off car, open and close door simulating getting out, fob in hand, jeep locks with fob. Wait five minutes, jeep unlocks with fob. Lock jeep again, wait 10 min, auto start - wait 5 min, jeep unlocks with fob.

This problem is killing me - what the HELL. Have you guys any idea before I have to pay the rapist dealership money to have them diagnose it?

One of the goggle searches said something about a TSB for 2010 model year having issues with the keyfob controller and needing it updated/flashed, or the only other thing I've seen is where the older keyfobs had the battery holder soldered to the circut board and the solder joints would come loose. However my two keyfobs have the battery holder on the plastic end with to metal prongs and on the circuit side four small metal prongs that touch the battery. Looking over both keyfobs I see nothing that points to the fobs one bit.

Read every post in http://www.cherokeesrt8.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37562 and am just as lost as when I began. Some say it doesn't deal with older vehicles, some have found it does. What a freakin overall pain. Makes me not want to drive it, unless I drive it like its stolen!! (every time I have to set off the alarm

 

[Rufjatt]

This has happened to me, but i added the viper system few months after i got the jeep, so i haven't really used the fob key.


Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

 

[waumo]

This is not a fix but try it the next time yours will not lock or unlock. Hit the opposite button from what you actually want to do. In other words if you are trying to unlock it an it doesn't, hit the lock button then the unlock.

The dealer reflashed ours and then they replaced the WIN module and both fobs. That improved things greatly but it still screws up from time to time.:boohoo:

 

[justJK]

Will do - I'll let you know what happens.

 

[PSU SRT]

I'm starting to have the same issue. FWIW, hitting the other button didn't help when I tried that. Stood next to vehicle one time for what seemed like 5 mins pressing FOB buttons before it finally unlocked.

 

[justJK]

This is not a fix but try it the next time yours will not lock or unlock. Hit the opposite button from what you actually want to do. In other words if you are trying to unlock it an it doesn't, hit the lock button then the unlock.

The dealer reflashed ours and then they replaced the WIN module and both fobs. That improved things greatly but it still screws up from time to time.:boohoo:

I did try your thought when it failed waumo, but it didn't work.
Did find it odd that when it decided to not lock, I went back in, turned the ignition/acc to the on, took the key back out, and it would lock again.

Taking it to the dealership tomorrow not sure I want to see what they don't find.
Let everyone know tomorrow. This freakin sucks.

 

[stanfna]

mine does the same thing...drives me crazy!

 

[justJK]

Well - nothing positive on the lock/unlock issues.

Of course the car didn't show the symptoms. No codes or anything in the wireless remote module - but they found that my TCM and my FDCM needed to be reflashed with updates.
The replacement wireless module would cost $199 plus labor and tax.

Guess I have to wait for a permanent break or for someone to figure it out on the forums
Back to the drawing board.

 

[waumo]

Well - nothing positive on the lock/unlock issues.

Of course the car didn't show the symptoms. No codes or anything in the wireless remote module - but they found that my TCM and my FDCM needed to be reflashed with updates.
The replacement wireless module would cost $199 plus labor and tax.

Guess I have to wait for a permanent break or for someone to figure it out on the forums
Back to the drawing board.

The difference I see in your description and our 2010 problem is that ours would always start working within about 1 minute. That sounds like a short time but it is forever when you are standing in parking lot in the pouring rain.

After they replaced the WIN and the fobs, it still does it occasionally but always starts working within 10-15 seconds and/or if you hit the opposite button to what you want to do.

So I don't think Chrysler has a fix for it - period. Our dealer has offered to replace ours again but I don't think it will help. I'm somewhat guessing but I think the WIN module locks up and possibly they just shortened a watch dog timer that restarts it instead of addressing the root problem.

You say $199, does that mean you are out of warranty or you are under a service contract and they refuse to replace it?

 

[justJK]

The difference I see in your description and our 2010 problem is that ours would always start working within about 1 minute. That sounds like a short time but it is forever when you are standing in parking lot in the pouring rain.

Well I have been I have been in the pouring rain Living in WA State is a state of perpetual rain
So when that happens I just put up with the alarm and open with door with the key. I have stood outside for quite some time trying to get my door to open - and consistently hit the unlock and it has unlocked. I have never actually timed it - but I would say it has netted success between 1-5minutes.

I agree with you that Chrysler/Jeep may not have a fix, but I'm curious as to the reports of ppl having these issues. I laugh as a person with a different vehicle than mine came in to complain about lock/unlock issues. I should have gone up to the person to ask if it was a jeep or just another vehicle all together.

I did try the lock button like you suggested, but came up with no promising leads (thank you for the suggestion though)

You say $199, does that mean you are out of warranty or you are under a service contract and they refuse to replace it?

Yes my Jeep is out of warranty and the $199 is the price of the module itself - they stated I think an hour or so to replace the unit (which I would just do myself, but then again I'm not sure how they back the work and product....if it was a year then I would pay them to do it). Current shop rate here in WA was quotes at $110/hr

Not sure if the module they give me would be an updated module like yours or what -

I hope if we keep talking about this, that maybe we can eventually get more answers? (a big wish on my part)

I'm somewhat guessing but I think the WIN module locks up and possibly they just shortened a watch dog timer that restarts it instead of addressing the root problem.

Interesting as when I have had a lock issue - I've gone back to my vehicle and put the key in turned it to the "ON" position (not starting), back off/pulled the key, and shut the door - then it works. So maybe you are on to something there?

 

[waumo]

I think they have you on the install. The fobs have to be programmed to the module and I don't think you can do that. When they replaced ours, they replaced module and both fobs. Total bill was about $450, covered by warranty.

I hate to say but I think the only thing would bring some attention on the issue would be a class action suit. Chrysler obviously knows there is a major widespread issue and they won't fix it. When our dealer ordered ours, there was an almost 2 month backlog on the modules with hundreds ordered so you know the problem is widespread. I have not seen anybody that has had the issue post that it was fixed long term for them.

 

[justJK]

Wow - pretty pricey. I don't want to go that route if I don't have to, but like you said, because of the reprogramming I may be screwed.

I wonder if maybe starting a class action law suit might bring this to a close? But I'm not entirely versed on the process, so I guess we could try and start there. Maybe have enough on the forum to start one?

I'll do some light reading on it - as I said - not very knowledgeable on the subject.