Gladiator "dead" half-way around the globe

[Tim Hall]

Hi,

Long-time lurker on the forum, but this is my first post. I need some help.

I'm traveling around the world with my 2020 Jeep Gladiator, currently on a leg from the Middle East to Australia. I'm in Thailand right now, and for the first time, I have a problem I can't solve.

When I came back from a longer-than-expected break in my home country, both of my batteries were dead (Optima Yellow Top B34 + Red Top R34). I tried to jump-start, but no luck, so I removed the batteries and charged them. Eventually, I decided to install new batteries (AUX + MAIN).

However, the Jeep won't start (the ignition switch won't move from "OFF" to "ACC" or "RUN" but the light is on). On the dashboard, after the "Press the brake pedal..." message, I get two others:

• SERVICE VEHICLE PROTECTION SYSTEM
• MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL TO RELEASE STEERING LOCK

I've been troubleshooting for four days since installing the new batteries and can't find a solution. I think i checked all the fuses and connections, and the starter is functional. The key fob is detected and functional (I even changed the battery inside, just in case). I tried resetting by disconnecting batteries a few times. When I try to remote start, only the blinker lights signal, but nothing else happens—no noise, no clicks, nothing, just like when I try to start with the brake pedal.

I've also tried contacting a few Jeep mechanics in my home country and troubleshooting with local mechanics, but no luck.

The few OBD scanners I found cannot communicate with the system because the car is not in "ACC".

If anyone has a creative idea, I would be more than happy to hear it.

I found a few posts online about similar messages on the dashboard, but the issues seem very diverse and I haven't found a fix.

One thing that might have caused this issue: when I first arrived at the Jeep and found the batteries dead, I opened the door with the mechanical part of the key and then try to jump-start the car, and got these message when the current come in. Maybe I messed up the SKIM module or something else. I will go today try to remove the F42 Fuse to bypass the PCR and try again with only one battery.

Thanks for helping me !

Tim

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[DylanM]

The vehicle security system automatically would have armed when you exited the vehicle and used either the key fob or passive entry lock button to lock the doors -- it will remain armed even after the batteries were dead and a jump attempted or the batteries replaced. Using the mechanical key to unlock the door afterward will not disable the security system, you must use either the unlock button on the key fob or a passive entry handle (if equipped) to disable it.

That said, and most likely this is a stupid question but it must be asked, have you used the key fob button to unlock the doors since the vehicle batteries were replaced? Will the door locks respond normally to the lock/unlock buttons on the fob? Remote start functionality can't be used as a determining factor since it's likely disabled until a successful normal start via the ignition switch is performed.

Have you checked all through the PDC to ensure you don't have any blown fuses?

Is there any evidence of the vehicle being tampered with or possible rodent intrusion/damage?

 

[Idlethunder]

I remember reading about something similar happening either here or on the JL site. If I am remembering correctly, pushing the start button with the corner of a working key fob should allow it to start normally

 

[Tim Hall]

The vehicle security system automatically would have armed when you exited the vehicle and used either the key fob or passive entry lock button to lock the doors -- it will remain armed even after the batteries were dead and a jump attempted or the batteries replaced. Using the mechanical key to unlock the door afterward will not disable the security system, you must use either the unlock button on the key fob or a passive entry handle (if equipped) to disable it.

That said, and most likely this is a stupid question but it must be asked, have you used the key fob button to unlock the doors since the vehicle batteries were replaced? Will the door locks respond normally to the lock/unlock buttons on the fob? Remote start functionality can't be used as a determining factor since it's likely disabled until a successful normal start via the ignition switch is performed.

Have you checked all through the PDC to ensure you don't have any blown fuses?

Is there any evidence of the vehicle being tampered with or possible rodent intrusion/damage?

Thanks for support !

Car react normaly to lock/unlock with key fob and key fob detection is working well

Yes all fuse to PDC has been check

When removing the batteries, to put new one, I saw same trace of rodent intrusion (very small shit). Since then, I try to check all cable, connexions, etc but found nothing wrong.

 

[Tim Hall]

I remember reading about something similar happening either here or on the JL site. If I am remembering correctly, pushing the start button with the corner of a working key fob should allow it to start normally

Thanks for the suggestion, I've trying that also, but key fob detection didn't seem to be the cause

 

[Blade1668]

I think DylanM is on the right track with the problem. With the security system, my experience is that the JT doesn't like to function if the doors are/ were locked with remote then opened with the key. A few years back I believe there was a thread on this here or JL forum too.
I think I remember mine not starting with the fob (pushing start button) when the batteries died in my fob it wouldn't start after unlocked with the key. I grabbed the other fob and used it possibly. I did replace both set of batteries afterwards I do remember for certain.
Definitely a possibility of someone screwing with your JT or rodents too. Getting the batteries a good full charging then a reset of the electric system might work.

 

[Idlethunder]

If it works it isn't about fob detection. There is a small chip in one end that can be used to start the Jeep when the fob battery is dead. That chip is needed to disable the security system. The Jeep will start with a dead fob battery by pushing the start button with the correct corner of the fob. Hopefully this will get you going again

 

[DailyMoparGuy]

Weird. The only time I’ve ever experienced something similar to this was in my old Acura MDX. I had to wiggle the steering wheel left-right while starting the engine. I still don’t know why the steering wheel locking can hinder the ignition. Never bothered to google it either.

 

[Mr._Bill]

Have you checked the high current fuses on the end of the fuse box? These can be blown if you are not careful with the cables when changing the batteries.

 

[DylanM]

Thanks for support !

Car react normaly to lock/unlock with key fob and key fob detection is working well

Yes all fuse to PDC has been check

When removing the batteries, to put new one, I saw same trace of rodent intrusion (very small shit). Since then, I try to check all cable, connexions, etc but found nothing wrong.

Since the locks work normally via the fob buttons, that tells us that the RF hub recognizes the fob and the security system should theoretically be disarming. The "service vehicle protection system" message may be associated to the steering lock release message (the ESL is tied into the security system), so it may be worth a go to see if turning the wheel back and forth a bit while hitting the fob unlock button will allow the steering lock actuator to unstick and clear the fault messages -- a sticking ESL alone I don't believe should cause the ignition switch to not go from OFF to ACC or Run however.

When you open the door and get in the driver's seat, the RF hub detects whether there is a valid key fob inside the vehicle via four LF antennas, and if so, it will allow the ignition switch to operate. The fact that yours is not allowing you to cycle the ignition through OFF-ACC-RUN makes me think either the RF hub doesn't think the fob is inside the vehicle, or the button press signal isn't getting from the ignition switch to the RF hub.

In an unrelated post I recall reading a few months back, the poster had a problem with their rear seatbelts that turned out to have been damaged by rodents that had chewed their way through the plastic vents located in the rear of the cab. Since the RF hub is located inside the cab at the center rear, I'm wondering if maybe rodents have made it in the same way on your truck and caused problems. You'll need to remove the trim panels behind your rear seats if you wish to investigate this possibility.

 

[Tim Hall]

Since the locks work normally via the fob buttons, that tells us that the RF hub recognizes the fob and the security system should theoretically be disarming. The "service vehicle protection system" message may be associated to the steering lock release message (the ESL is tied into the security system), so it may be worth a go to see if turning the wheel back and forth a bit while hitting the fob unlock button will allow the steering lock actuator to unstick and clear the fault messages -- a sticking ESL alone I don't believe should cause the ignition switch to not go from OFF to ACC or Run however.

When you open the door and get in the driver's seat, the RF hub detects whether there is a valid key fob inside the vehicle via four LF antennas, and if so, it will allow the ignition switch to operate. The fact that yours is not allowing you to cycle the ignition through OFF-ACC-RUN makes me think either the RF hub doesn't think the fob is inside the vehicle, or the button press signal isn't getting from the ignition switch to the RF hub.

In an unrelated post I recall reading a few months back, the poster had a problem with their rear seatbelts that turned out to have been damaged by rodents that had chewed their way through the plastic vents located in the rear of the cab. Since the RF hub is located inside the cab at the center rear, I'm wondering if maybe rodents have made it in the same way on your truck and caused problems. You'll need to remove the trim panels behind your rear seats if you wish to investigate this possibility.

Thanks for the time you take to investigate.


For the Steering, I'm trying to move left and right and pressing start without succes. It's seem really lock both side. I can only perform a small mouvement

For the RF Hub, when I try to start with the key outside the vehicle, I have the message : key fob not detected. But when the key is inside the message don't appear. But pressing the start with the key fob doesn't help. it's seem RF Hub is fine but I may still remove the trim today to check if I found rodent dommage somewhere.

 

[Tim Hall]

Have you checked the high current fuses on the end of the fuse box? These can be blown if you are not careful with the cables when changing the batteries.

Thanks for the suggestion. I check with multimeter the voltage on each N Stud, but didn't remove completely the high fuse array to check for continuity. I will do it today.

 

[GeneralMaximus]

Weird. The only time I’ve ever experienced something similar to this was in my old Acura MDX. I had to wiggle the steering wheel left-right while starting the engine. I still don’t know why the steering wheel locking can hinder the ignition. Never bothered to google it either.

the steering wheel lock is one of those often ignored features. I cant say I’ve intentionally used it on any of my cars. But sometimes, on my older cars, the wheel would get moved and locked and you have to insert the key, move the steering wheel a little while turning the key, to unlock it. Might be a dumb question, but OP, have you tried doing this, like the error message says to?

edit: i see you did try. But are you moving the steering wheel all the way or just a little bit to get it off the lock?

 

[Tim Hall]

the steering wheel lock is one of those often ignored features. I cant say I’ve intentionally used it on any of my cars. But sometimes, on my older cars, the wheel would get moved and locked and you have to insert the key, move the steering wheel a little while turning the key, to unlock it. Might be a dumb question, but OP, have you tried doing this, like the error message says to?

edit: i see you did try. But are you moving the steering wheel all the way or just a little bit to get it off the lock?

I can only move it a bit both side, it's lock. I try with pressing the fob same time moving the steering on side, etc.


Don't worries about dumb question, I may have miss something really stupid.

 

[Jefe1018]

Will the truck go into run mode? Maybe setting into neutral vs park.. might also be worth a shot to check the brake switch under the pedal.

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