Locked out of jeep...

[drover]

Key fobs fail to open doors, used key to open drivers door and the alarm went off, unable to cancel it with key fobs and vehicle just stays imobilised ............. 0600 and the alarms went off in campground so possibly not popular .......................... Im stuffed if I know why as all was running well yesterday, possibly cold has done something down to 10c last night ..................... Think I will wait till later when folk are moving around before I play with it, at present I have no idea why so any ideas greatly appreciated.

[JeanLuke]

From the owners handbook:

In case the ignition switch does not change with the push of a button, the RKE transmitter (Key Fob) may have a low or dead battery. In this situation a back up method can be used to operate the ignition switch. Put the nose side (side opposite of the emergency key) of the Key Fob against the ENGINE START/STOP button and push to operate the ignition switch

and

The Vehicle Security Alarm can be disarmed using any of the following methods:

• Press the UNLOCK button on the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.
• Grasp the Passive Entry Unlock Door Handle (refer to Keyless Enter-N-Go™ in Things To Know Before Starting Your Vehicle for further information).
• Cycle the vehicle ignition system out of the OFF position.

NOTE:

• The driver’s door key cylinder and the liftgate button on the RKE transmitter cannot arm or disarm the Vehicle Security Alarm.

EDIT:
I generated the above using Google's NotebookLM artificial intelligence. I have fed it the owners manual, the workshop manual and the build sheet. I then can ask it questions and it gives answers including references to where it found the answers so you can check them. I recommend this. I'll post the full text below.

[JeanLuke]

The other thing I would do is keep the key fob in a pocket for a while to warm it up.

[drover]

Thanks JeanLuke, had that covered, the 2 key fobs didn't work, only gained entry by using key .............. Immobiliser stayed on and key fobs were dead but alarm worked well, when it gets set off the key fob will shut it off but not this time ............................. WSM is no use...

An hour and a half later though, once folk had got moving I tried again, had to use key to get in but no alarm and engine started, key fobs worked, battery charge was 12.6v so maybe cold had something to do with it, I don't know ...................... Might just stay here a bit longer as my next camp is a bit oout of the way of decent help though might just head back home............... Will hook Alfa up to it and see if any codes thrown but iIdoubt it ............................................ I once had similar but was in Snow with the WG............

Any other ideas ???????

[JeanLuke]

Q: How do I unlock it if the key fob battery has gone flat?

If your key fob battery has gone flat, you can still unlock your Jeep Grand Cherokee by using the emergency key that is stored inside the key fob.

Here's how to access and use it, according to the owner's manual:

1. Remove the emergency key by sliding the mechanical latch on the back of the key fob sideways with your thumb and then pulling the key out with your other hand.
2. Once removed, the emergency key can be inserted into the lock cylinder to unlock the driver's side door. The owner's manual notes that you can insert the double-sided emergency key into the lock cylinders with either side up.

It's also worth noting that the emergency key can be used to lock the glove box.

Q: How do I then stop the alarm?

To stop the alarm, you need to disarm the Vehicle Security Alarm system. According to the owner's manual, there are several ways to do this:

• You can press the UNLOCK button on the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.
• If your vehicle is equipped with Passive Entry, you can grasp the Passive Entry Unlock Door Handle.
• You can also cycle the vehicle ignition system out of the OFF position.

It's important to note that the driver’s door key cylinder and the liftgate button on the RKE transmitter cannot arm or disarm the Vehicle Security Alarm.

The owner's manual also mentions a Panic Alarm, which is activated by pressing and holding the PANIC button on the RKE transmitter. If this is the alarm that has been activated, you can turn it off by either pressing the PANIC button a second time or by driving the vehicle at a speed of 15 mph (24 km/h) or greater. You can distinguish between the Panic Alarm and the Security Alarm by the sound of the horn.

If something has triggered the Vehicle Security Alarm while you were away, the horn will sound three times and the exterior lights will blink three times when you unlock the doors, indicating a tamper alert.

Q: How do I cycle the ignition without the fob?

If your key fob has a low or dead battery and you have a Keyless Enter-N-Go™ system, there is a backup method to operate the ignition switch. According to the owner's manual, you can put the nose side (side opposite of the emergency key) of the Key Fob against the ENGINE START/STOP button and push to operate the ignition switch.

The Keyless Ignition Node (KIN) has four operating positions: OFF, ACC, ON/RUN, and START. You can cycle through these positions by pushing the ENGINE START/STOP button.

• Starting with the ignition switch in the OFF position:
  • Press the ENGINE START/STOP button once to change the ignition switch to the ACC position (EVIC will display “ACC”).
  • Press the ENGINE START/STOP button a second time to change the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position (EVIC will display “ON/RUN”).
  • Press the ENGINE START/STOP button a third time to return the ignition switch to the OFF position (EVIC will display “OFF”).

Remember that for normal starting of the engine using the ENGINE START/STOP button, you need to have the transmission in PARK or NEUTRAL and press and hold the brake pedal while pressing the button once.

[JeanLuke]

Any other ideas ???????

Sorry, no, other than keeping the fob under your pillow or something.

[layback40]

Sounds like you need to get a couple of spare batteries for your fob & work out how to change them.
Years ago, I was at a beach on the Great Ocean Road. A young Japanese guy with a Honda had been swimming with his fob in his pocket. His spare key was locked in his car. He was beside himself, ready to break a window! I convinced him to open up the fob. The little shop near the beach had the right battery. We washed the fob with tap water for a while & then used metho to dry it. Put it back together, with the new battery. He pressed the button & the car unlocked. He went to try & lock it again, I knocked the fob out of his hand. Explained he should get the key out of the car & use it until he had the fob properly checked. He & his GF were very happy. Since then, I have always had a spare key that would only unlock the door hidden on the outside of the car. I have used such a key a few times. Good luck with your fob! Not a bad idea when in remote places, to keep your keys under your pillow along with a 38 or 9mm!

[drover]

Nah, batteries in both fobs all good, passed the meter test and I have spars anyway, I think it was Cold as well as very heavy dew early last night might have made for some condensation which upset things ??? anyway at 0730 all worked as normal and now I'm a few hundred Kms at another camp and everything is working as normal, might just put it down to Gremlins ............. Main battery is a 9/23 and still has warranty till 9/26 and being an Excide job asy to get replaced if needed but I doubt its the problem .............................. If it does it tomorrow then at least I know the local fire brigade....................... well keys are always handy as for the other I'm Sgt Schultz.

My fob has a normal key but it can't start the beast ........................ oh for an old Cruiser from the good ole days, even if the key or ignition broke it was easy to get it sorted.........

[FARWEST]

Cold air, condensation and Murphy's Law mate....bloody things do weird shit constantly...probs won't have a code and won't shyte itself again either...have had similar but not exact a few times....checked fob batteries and fob range using Auto Store Gizmo and all checked out A OK but car wouldn't recognise it....car battery was better then good...alternator was doing the alternator thing to factory specs....buggered if anybody ..including the Guru's..... could give me an answer... in the end....it just worked like it should and the Mystery continued ...bloody cars !!!.