Won’t start after being left out in the rain……

[Basshi]

Took the roof off years ago. Rained a few days ago and now it won’t start. Electronics and infotainment all works fine. Replaced the starter and nothing changed. Battery is brand new, new battery in the key fob, still nothing. I should note though; immediately after it stopped raining I hopped in and pulled it into the garage where it all of the sudden wouldn’t turn off. I left it there to run and eventually came back out and it turned right off. Next day it started up just fine, now it won’t start again. I’m going crazy

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[DylanM]

What exactly is it actually doing? Walk us through what you're doing and what response/action is happening as you try to start the vehicle, be specific.

One additional question, does the vehicle respond normally to all key fob remote button functions?

 

[Basshi]

What exactly is it actually doing? Walk us through what you're doing and what response/action is happening as you try to start the vehicle, be specific.

One additional question, does the vehicle respond normally to all key fob remote button functions?

Yes it responds to all key fob functions. Foot on the brake and the BCM reads the brake being depressed. Everything functions as it should other than it doesn’t engage the starter when I try the ignition/push to start. there is not click(s) or anything other than the system going into accessories/run mode. There havnt been any error lights on the dash either. My initial thought was that water got inside the push to start button, but then why when pressed it still turns on accessories? The little lights that illuminate “start” “acc” etc don’t light up anymore either. I’m not very knowledgeable about anything electronic related

 

[punk'n]

Does it start with your fob remote start? If so, its not a starter or battery issue.

 

[Basshi]

Does it start with your fob remote start? If so, its not a starter or battery issue.

my truck doesn’t have remote start unfortunately

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Check behind your glove box. Poke around the Buss bar stuff back there with a flashlight and see if anything burned up when you started it to bring it into the garage. There and behind the rear seats are some pretty important electrical components.

 

[punk'n]

Check behind your glove box. Poke around the Buss bar stuff back there with a flashlight and see if anything burned up when you started it to bring it into the garage. There and behind the rear seats are some pretty important electrical components.

Good point! This is from a post in one of the rear window leaking threads...

"Your drivetrain control module (DTCM), central vision processing module (CVPM), and RF hub are all mounted to the rear cab bulkhead along with various harnesses and key fob associated antennas. While the rear cab trim pieces coving these components do offer some protection from the elements, keep in mind if the RF hub gets wet and stops working your truck cannot be started."

 

[Thunderspud]

The little lights that illuminate “start” “acc” etc don’t light up anymore either.

If it were me, and given the fact that other electrical systems don't seem to be affected, this would be enough to warrant replacing the button. If only to troubleshoot.

 

[Basshi]

Good point! This is from a post in one of the rear window leaking threads...

"Your drivetrain control module (DTCM), central vision processing module (CVPM), and RF hub are all mounted to the rear cab bulkhead along with various harnesses and key fob associated antennas. While the rear cab trim pieces coving these components do offer some protection from the elements, keep in mind if the RF hub gets wet and stops working your truck cannot be started."

there doesn’t seem to be any panel that is ment to be take off behind the rear seats? How would I locate the RF hub? Also there doesn’t seem to be anything burnt up, I’ve taken most of the dash off and everything still looks good

 

[DylanM]

Yes it responds to all key fob functions. Foot on the brake and the BCM reads the brake being depressed. Everything functions as it should other than it doesn’t engage the starter when I try the ignition/push to start. there is not click(s) or anything other than the system going into accessories/run mode. There havnt been any error lights on the dash either. My initial thought was that water got inside the push to start button, but then why when pressed it still turns on accessories? The little lights that illuminate “start” “acc” etc don’t light up anymore either. I’m not very knowledgeable about anything electronic related

1) The fact that the RF hub (RFH) is receiving messages from your key fob and responding correctly verifies the fob is working and that the RFH recognizes the fob security key.
2) The lights in the keyless ignition node (KIN), ie, the "ignition button", are controlled by the RF hub. Seeing as how those lights are not coming on like they're supposed to, that points toward the fault being either in the KIN, the RFH, or the wiring between the two.

At this point I'd start by accessing the KIN and RFH, unplug their wiring and clean out the connectors with DeoxIT, then reconnect and hope all you have is a little corrosion on some pins.

 

[DylanM]

there doesn’t seem to be any panel that is ment to be take off behind the rear seats? How would I locate the RF hub? Also there doesn’t seem to be anything burnt up, I’ve taken most of the dash off and everything still looks good

The rear cab trim panels need to be removed to get to the RFH. See the service manual available in the following thread: https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...-service-and-repair-manual-free-online.78333/

 

[punk'n]

See this thread too...
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/gladiator-wont-shut-off.99777/

 

[Vtur]

These types of issues will requires wiring diagrams and a multimeter. We can better assist you without throwing parts at it.

 

[Sandman 4x4]

Have you tried pushing the start button with the fob? That’s what it says to do when the fob battery dies. Just a thought. Or it might have something to do with the shifter not sending the starter power through like when you place it in park? Maybe it got very wet in there

 

[ross neill]

Try using key fob to push start button

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