Intermittent RKE - SKREEM antenna?

casm · **Joined:** Sun Jan 29, 2006 5:05 pm **Posts:** 694

This week, the KJ has decided to having working RKE if and when it feels like it. This is a massive problem, since I'm in and out of it many times a day right now making deliveries.

Did a bit of troubleshooting earlier, and managed to figure out that if the fob is within 18" or so of the right-hand side of the steering column, everything works as expected. From any further away, it's a total crapshoot. The battery checked out OK, but I replaced it just to be on the safe side; there was no change in behaviour. Verified that the fob is transmitting with one of my SDRs.

From p. 8Q-3 under the 'Sentry Key Remote Entry Module' heading in the 2005 KJ Service Manual:

"The Sentry Key REmote Entry Module (SKREEM) is sometimes referred to as the Wireless Control Module (WCM). The SKREEM is located on the right side of the steering column near the ignition lock cylinder housing and an integral molded plastic antenna ring circles the ignition lock cylinder like a halo. The SKREEM and its antenna are concealed beneath the steering column shrouds."

(Emphasis above is mine.)

Given the intermittent nature of the problem and the general location of where the fob reliably works being in close proximity to the SKREEM module, I'm suspecting that the antenna may be intermittently losing its connection to the SKREEM module.

Am I looking at total replacement of the module, or (assuming the antenna is the issue), is it repairable? If replacement is the only option, can any junkyard SKREEM unit be substituted for the one in there now?

FWIW, the Jeep starts and runs fine, the security light is not turning on, door locks operate as expected (minus the fob's functionality), and the alarm will sound if I open the door by the key. It's just the RKE functions that aren't working reliably.

casm · **Joined:** Sun Jan 29, 2006 5:05 pm **Posts:** 694

Quick followup: started getting warnings on the EVIC about TPMS failures. Since SKREEM also acts as the receiver for the TPMS system, this makes sense.

Looks as though I need to find a replacement SKREEM module. Yay!

Not gonna junkyard this if at all possible; too much risk of grabbing one that's already shot or at least on its way out.

flash7210 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 10, 2020 9:12 pm

Any new/replacement SKIM module will need to be programmed to match your VIN and key.
This can only be done with the Chrysler DRB (starscan?) tool.
So it’s a trip to the dealership.

In my case, I shipped my ECU, SKIM, and key to SirSam and he was able to program everything.

casm · **Joined:** Sun Jan 29, 2006 5:05 pm **Posts:** 694

flash7210 wrote:

Any new/replacement SKIM module will need to be programmed to match your VIN and key.
This can only be done with the Chrysler DRB (starscan?) tool.
So it’s a trip to the dealership.

Bugger. That confirms what I was finding. Well, at least it's an excuse to get the speedo recalibrated at the same time.

Quote:

In my case, I shipped my ECU, SKIM, and key to SirSam and he was able to program everything.

Which I'd be more than happy to do, but right now I can't afford to have the KJ down for even a couple of days. Eating a chunk of a morning is doable, but I really need to be getting people their groceries.

Intermittent RKE - SKREEM antenna?

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