Remote Keyless Entry stopped working!

[pauly310]

I own a '99 Grand Cherokee Laredo. I have actually been using my remote keyless entry with the same batteries since I bought it new. Over the last month, the remote has gotten weaker and wouldn't work consistently as it always had. Yesterday, I finally changed out the batteries with new Energizer brand. I made sure they were the same battery # and inserted the same way in the remote. Now I cannot get the remote to function at all. I even changed the old batteries back over to see if it would function and nothing at all. Is there a "reset" code I must utilize for this to function again? I thought the remote unit itself could just be getting bad but that doesn't explain why it still worked prior to changing out batteries. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Bob D.]

Make sure the batteries are the right type (it takes two) and you are inserting them correctly.

[pauly310]

Thanks for the reply Bob D. I did begin troubleshooting by checking basics like battery type and placement. I then re-inserted old batteries in exact manner they were removed and there was no response at all with the remote. Not like it's a great cost but would hate to blow $70 on another remote then have to get it programmed when this could be a simple no-cost fix. My remote did work just two days ago even though the signal just appeared to be getting weak.

[Bob D.]

Make sure the everything is making positive contact, there are contact points on both halves of the remote. Then keep hitting the lock/unlock buttons until it works - that's the only "reset" method that will sometimes work.
If no luck it may not be the remote, I take it you only have the one?

[pauly310]

That sounds like a good idea. Over the years, I managed to misplace my extra remote so when I get home from work, I will check and clean any contact points I can locate and hope for some positive results. If that still doesn't work, I may resort to making a trip to one of the local Jeep dealers and see if they can offer a reasonable solution. Last resort will be to just buy a new one. If I buy a new one, they can be found relatively cheap on the internet, however, I have seen some posting where people are pretty upset when they can't program the new one so I may end up back at the dealership anyways! I will keep my fingers crossed that I can get it functional after checking the contact points and send a reply to the thread with results.

[just4gman]

I own a '99 Grand Cherokee Laredo too. You need to replace the two batteries and then hit the unlock button 8 times to reset the remote. I just did it to both of my remotes today,

[xj31]

A common problem is the contact from the batteries to the circuit board gets bent.Try bending it up a little.