Key fob not detected

[BracksJT]

I’ve came across a few threads with others already having this issue and it seems that their issues were solved with replacing batteries.

I have a 21 ecodiesel gladiator. I’ve replaced the main and aux battery, key battery & have even had 2 separate key programmers that were stumped. I can start it with no issues by pushing the key fob on the start button but that is the only way or I’ll get the key fob not detected issue. My “auto/start stop” always gives me the message “auto/start stop unavailable battery charging” so that led me to believe that was an aux battery issue.. no luck. Also, the navigation is showing me in the middle of the ocean and saying “location unavailable” not sure if that would have any correlation of the same issue with my key fob ordeal.
Has anyone else ran into this issue or have any ideas? Thanks!

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[Janster]

When you changed your batteries (main & aux), did you have the charging system checked?? Check all battery connections, etc.

 

[MaximusTX]

Interested to see any fixes for this as well. After I recent visit to the dealer I had removed my tazer and before I installed the tazer I was attempting to use JSCAN to set the turn signals to LED and was in the modules when my wife opened the drivers door and as soon as she did that all the lights on the dash lit up and then a message popped up and said key fob not detected and the key fob I had with me no longer worked. It wouldn't lock or unlock the doors or anything. I closed out of everything and went inside and grabbed the other key fob and it worked fine and the I tested the key fob that initially didn't work and it started working again. A couple days later it was going to my local shop to have some work done and it popped up saying key fob battery low (Key fob that originally didn't work) but I didn't worry about it since it was only supposed to be at the shop for a couple days. That snowballed into a massive overhaul and it will be at the shop for quite a while now and in a recent conversation with them they told me that key fob is no longer working and that they have to start it by pressing the fob against the start button. I dropped off a new battery for the key fob but they said the error that comes up is a programming error like the key is no longer programmed to the vehicle. He couldn't remember the exact error at the time I was there. I reached out to JSCAN but they said they have never heard of this happening and that JSCAN could not uncode keys. I have done the AUX delete and completely removed the AUX battery and the main battery is on battery maintainer (Noco Genius2D) but I am in the process of switch that over to a solar panel charger and also upgrading the maintainer to a centek 5D.

 

[BracksJT]

When you changed your batteries (main & aux), did you have the charging system checked?? Check all battery connections, etc.

yes everything is getting proper voltage when running. Wires/connections all good. It was ran past me today by a key programmer that it sounds like my key fob is just legitimately bad but kind of odd I am able to unlock / lock / alarm etc but when it comes to starting it, nothing.

Interested to see any fixes for this as well. After I recent visit to the dealer I had removed my tazer and before I installed the tazer I was attempting to use JSCAN to set the turn signals to LED and was in the modules when my wife opened the drivers door and as soon as she did that all the lights on the dash lit up and then a message popped up and said key fob not detected and the key fob I had with me no longer worked. It wouldn't lock or unlock the doors or anything. I closed out of everything and went inside and grabbed the other key fob and it worked fine and the I tested the key fob that initially didn't work and it started working again. A couple days later it was going to my local shop to have some work done and it popped up saying key fob battery low (Key fob that originally didn't work) but I didn't worry about it since it was only supposed to be at the shop for a couple days. That snowballed into a massive overhaul and it will be at the shop for quite a while now and in a recent conversation with them they told me that key fob is no longer working and that they have to start it by pressing the fob against the start button. I dropped off a new battery for the key fob but they said the error that comes up is a programming error like the key is no longer programmed to the vehicle. He couldn't remember the exact error at the time I was there. I reached out to JSCAN but they said they have never heard of this happening and that JSCAN could not uncode keys. I have done the AUX delete and completely removed the AUX battery and the main battery is on battery maintainer (Noco Genius2D) but I am in the process of switch that over to a solar panel charger and also upgrading the maintainer to a centek 5D.

I am kind of thinking my jeep (bought used) may have potentially at one point either had NoLimitz or whatever of those other plug N plays that are out there that allow you to block the RF hub to not receive any “programming” for anti-theft purposes. The programmers are telling me the jeep is just straight up not allowing anything to load to it. I would think If I had a completely bad RF HUB the fob wouldn’t work at all. Pretty stumped here.

 

[MaximusTX]

yes everything is getting proper voltage when running. Wires/connections all good. It was ran past me today by a key programmer that it sounds like my key fob is just legitimately bad but kind of odd I am able to unlock / lock / alarm etc but when it comes to starting it, nothing.




I am kind of thinking my jeep (bought used) may have potentially at one point either had NoLimitz or whatever of those other plug N plays that are out there that allow you to block the RF hub to not receive any “programming” for anti-theft purposes. The programmers are telling me the jeep is just straight up not allowing anything to load to it. I would think If I had a completely bad RF HUB the fob wouldn’t work at all. Pretty stumped here.

The nolimitz hasn't been out very long. I believe it was released mid june/july 2024 but could be wrong on that date and as far as I know it is the only option that blocks the RF Hub for the JT. Depending on when you bought your JT that could answer your question. I just got the NoLimitz but my JT is currently in the shop and won't be able to test it out for a little while.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

Mine has nothing installed that has the ability to block RF, but I will randomly have fob issues. When it happens pressing the key against the button does nothing. Most of the time I just have to hit lock and then unlock on the fob and it starts working again, but I have had some times that hasn't worked. This last time I smacked the fob against the steering wheel and it started working.

 

[Dilly’S Willy]

FYI all Zauto products for the JT flood the CAN network to get the result they want. Unless they've finally cracked the encryption to override the CAN network, I'd check to see if something is still being forced. Try remarrying and unmarrying again and doing the 2 sleep cycles for each. I had an issues when I first installed my Tazer. Had to unmarry/sleep cycles/remarry/sleep cycles a couple times before it took correctly.

I would also try disconnecting the grounds, then positive(s) from all power sources for at least 10 minutes if not 30 minutes. Open the door, hit the brakes a couple times, try turning on the ignition a couple times. This should drain any residual voltage from any system.
- Then change the FOB battery, BEFORE reconnecting any power/ground sources.
- - After that, try the FOB again. They use a rolling code encryption, so try pressing the unlock buttons a few times. If that doesn't work, you could try having the dealer (or quality mobile locksmith) pairing the FOB to the truck as if it were new. This usually requires at least 1 working FOB.


If all that doesn't work, sounds like you need to reflash the BCM to stock config then slowly start adding features back in.


AND MAKE SURE YOUR WOMAN STAYS AWAY FROM THE TRUCK FROM NOW ON DURING WORK/MODS.

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