Well, I'm about ready to sell this Jeep...

I was going to replace the motor mounts today, but I can't get the key to unlock the doors. This happened about a month ago, and I had to have it towed to a dealer who charged me $600 labor tracking down five grounded wires. I can unlock the door manually, but I know that this will trigger the alarm (like last time) and lock out the car. I'm not sure what to do at this point.

I washed the underbody real good yesterday in preparation for being under the Jeep today, so I suspect that the water caused something to short out. I'm thinking about a torpedo heater under the hood until I can dry it out. I'm t one of those points where I can't deal with more problems on an eight year old car.

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2005 Black KJ Sport CRD,
GDE Full Torque ECO TUNE, GDE Transmission ECO Tune,
Samco British Racing Green Hoses
Build Date 1/05
200k miles.
Original Owner

If you lock the door with the key your alarm won't go off when you unlock it. I have a regular key that I use when I am hiking or swimming so I won't ruin the alarm key by getting it wet.

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05 CRD
97 Toyota FZJ80 12v Cummins/NV4500-build thread
96 Lexus LX 450
96 Ford F350 4x4

That's an interesting tip. I generally lock the door with the internal door lock... I suspect that wont do the same thing.


On a different note... I was able to push the key button about a thousand times and eventually the turn signals flashed and the interior lights came on, but the door locks didn't move. I took a chance and opened the door and the alarm didn't sound. I stated the Jeep and ran it for a while in the hopes of drying out the engine bay. It seems to have worked. The key fobs work now.

I have to assume that I still have a ground somewhere. Is this something that a reputable shop can trace? I really DO NOT want t get stranded again and pay for the tow.

When I said that I washed the under body, I still had the skid plate on, and I did NOT pop the hood or anything to soak the engine bay. I am worried that there will be future problems from simple mud puddles. I wish there was a simple way to deactivate the security system. Last time this happened, I could turn the Jeep on, but it died within a few seconds. The keys are not the problem. It's definitely the unit that receives the signal.

Could it be that this isn't a ground at all and it's the unit in the steering column as has happened to others?

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2005 Black KJ Sport CRD,
GDE Full Torque ECO TUNE, GDE Transmission ECO Tune,
Samco British Racing Green Hoses
Build Date 1/05
200k miles.
Original Owner

I may be wrong but isn't the red dot in dash, I refer to it as the "Terminator eye", associated with the security key? Is it constantly lit or not lit at all? Maybe your key security chip or computer is malfunctioning.

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05 CRD
97 Toyota FZJ80 12v Cummins/NV4500-build thread
96 Lexus LX 450
96 Ford F350 4x4

I'm just thinking if it wouldn't be a bad idea to just unplug all big connectors from the computers and cable joints, especially where that skim module is (which I have no clue but fsm should have the info), use some electrical connector cleaner spray and then dielectric grease. I wonder if that's not caused by a corroded connector that stops working with moisture. Sorry, no other better idea, electrical problems suck!

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2005 kj CRD, samco, suncoast tc, provent, Kennedy lift pump, GDE ECO full torque, 2nd gen filter head, 245/70/16 a/t tires, mopar light bar, fumoto oil valve, OEM Skid Plates, ARB Front bumper and HD OME, tru cool LPD47391 40k GVW tranny cooler (stock cooler delete), FF Dynamics e-fan and shroud, rocker arms replaced, HDS2 190F thermostat.

If the Jeep starts but then dies after a few seconds it means that the ECU did not recognize the security code sent to it by the SKIM module which sits on top of the steering column with a "loop" going around the ignition slot.

If it is intermitant I would suspect the SKIM module, the wiring going from the SKIM module to the ECU, the wiring going from the ECU to the ASD relay or the ASD relay itself. I would suggest you disconnect the battery and unhook the connectors on the ECU then dry the ECU connectors with a hairdryer....also swap the ASD relay over with an identical one.

If you are stuck and cannot get the engine to start then try jumpering pins 30 and 87 out in the ASD socket...you may be lucky.. but this normaly will not get the engine to run if the SKIM code is not recogised by the ECU...otherwise it would be easy to 'hotwire" the Jeep like this!

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2002 Export CRD 2.5 Sport