16 replies to this topic

[snorander]

So my wife has a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with the 4.7L V8 it also has a Python remote starter. Recently the remote starter has stopped working and I am having intermittant starting problems with it. Sometimes when you put the key in and turn it you get nothing, maybe just a faint click no gauges etc. after fiddling with it for a while it will start up and run fine. Sometimes it starts fine with no problems at all. I assumed that the smart key was going bad so I had another one made($70). Unfortunately it does the same thing. So now I am wondering if there is something wrong with part the reads the smart key. When i get a chance I will dissconnect the remote starter so I can rule that out. Just wondering if anyone has seen or heard of this problem before and can point me in the right direction. I am desperately hoping to avoid the dealer.

Thanks,

Steve

Edited by snorander, 08 February 2012 - 08:34 AM.

[Bilbo]

Probably not much help to you but here's the problem mine had. Mine would cut out as if you were shutting the key off and turning it back on again.Flickering guages were also happening. It would restart,usually without much problem. My Solus computer showed me nothing as no codes were logged. I started checking connections at the ECM and other components along the engine firewall. I never found the problem but fixed it with pure luck. I cleaned every ground I could find as well. I have the 4 litre engine in mine. Try goggling Jeep problems.

[AUTOMOVER]

Sound's like a possible ground problem, check battery , ground to firewall and connections to starter. If you find nothing, chase the remote start wiring, if they didn't solder the connections you might find a problem there.

[Legend_GT_600SDI]

if you have a remote starter, sometimes they take the halo key reader off of the ignition switch and place it with another key somewhere along the colum. Its possible that chip key is going bad. Most aftermarket remote starters of that vintage didnt have the abiltiy to overlay and interreact with the factory theft deterent systems.

[dualmass]

Is the remote starter factory installed?
If it is, the best place to take it maybe the dealer, or a shop that has a good scan tool like a Snap on Modis/ Solis
The systems are a little too complex to diagnose "over the phone"
I do this everyday, and finding a knowledgeable tech who will correctly diagnose it will save you money in the long run
LIKE the $70.00 you have already spent on the key you didnt need

Cars are pretty complex when compared to say a snowmobile,

Call some area shops, ask them if they are familar with Jeeps/ ask what type of scan tools they use and be sure to tell them that your on a BUDGET,
When customers are straight forward and tell us that they dont have alot of $$$ to spend , we work with them
Good luck!

[snorander]

Well, I needed the key anyways as we didn't have a spare so I am ok with that LOL. It is not factory, it is a Python. I was thinking of calling a place in town that installs them to have them take a look at it. I figure they would be able to tell me if there is a problem with the remote starter or the car. Then I will probably htake it to the dealer. Thanks for the tips Dualmass!

Steve

[RideSDS43]

Check grounds and as weird as it sounds check your battery. It could be a low voltage reading causing a no start. I have seen this many times before. If you are local to nashua I would be willing to take a look for you.

[snorander]

Thanks Ride, I'll keep that in mind. Right before we bought it the previous owner put a new battery & altenator in it that was a little over a year ago, I would think the battery would still be be good, but I'll get the volt meter out and check it out. I cleaned the negative terminal on the battery last night before I ran out of time.

Thanks!

Steve

[AdrenalineJunky]

The jeep are known for bad crank sensors, and bad ecm or brain. Its usually 7~10+ years since new. If you turn on key and there is no lights such as "check engine" lights that means your brain is not powering up and the diodes inside are likley done. I fixed my ecm with diodes from radio shack for about $6. This typically starts off as an intermittent problem. If the lights are are (indicating brain alive and ready), and motor is turning but not starting then its likely the crank position sensor....typically. This too can be intermittent.


fyi, I see some suggesting the remote start. That system does not bypass the ignition, its a scab on, so if the key dont work, its clearly not the remote start. Of course the remot start wont work properly if you have another issue down the line. If it started everytime with key and not with remote well then its obvious.

Edited by AdrenalineJunky, 08 February 2012 - 10:34 AM.

[PolarisCobra]

For what it's worth, I would first focus on the non-factory remote start. They can cause all manner of problems, and getting back to the starting point of the factory configuration makes good sense.


Good luck.

[dualmass]

PolarisCobra, on 08 February 2012 - 10:27 AM, said:

For what it's worth, I would first focus on the non-factory remote start. They can cause all manner of problems, and getting back to the starting point of the factory configuration makes good sense.


Good luck.

I agree completely,

[gunmaker]

OK my $.02 worth. If you have tilt steering, move it's location. Humor me on this.

Edited by gunmaker, 08 February 2012 - 05:41 PM.

[nhgator]

gunmaker, on 08 February 2012 - 05:41 PM, said:

OK my $.02 worth. If you have tilt steering, move it's location. Humor me on this.

Specialy on a Dodge eh',I got my non-mopar terminal strip installed 3 years ago.

[gunmaker]

YUP

[snorander]

Ok Problem solved! It turns out the negative battery terminal was cracked. It kind of all makes sense now. This problem started to show up about two weeks ago and as it happens two weeks ago I had the neg battery terminal disconnected to fix the broken blend door. So I am going to assume that it cracked when I was taking off then. Replaced the terminal tonight and it starts fine with both keys and even the remote start works fine now. Thanks for your help!

[Bilbo]

Glad to hear it was something simple.

[dualmass]

Sweet