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Thread: That Magic Key Thingy

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Bloomington, IN
    Posts
    20

    Default That Magic Key Thingy

    Ok, not sure what to call it, but every once in a while on my daugter's 2002 GC Overlander, it turns on, but doesn't crank. Best I can tell, when this happens, the little green "key" symblol is flashing, meaning that it doesn't recognize the key and has instigated a Nazi protocol and the Jeep doesn't start. Give it a litte time, and it seems to wake up and works just fine.

    I've tried both the keys I have, and the problem is the same when it happens. It has always ended up working, weather I pulled the key out and put it back in, for 3 minutes, or just sat there with the key in the ignition for 3 minutes. But it seems that when it happens, it is a short peroid of time till it works. It started last week, and was rare, but is becoming more frequent, I'm afraid it will just stop soon and leave me stranded.

    Is it the Jeep, or the keys? Anyone have this issue? How do I fix?

    Thanks,

    Joe

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Salem Va.
    Posts
    891

    Default Re: That Magic Key Thingy

    I would think it is the Jeep since both keys are doing it. But I guess both batteries could be bad in both keys Possibly the ignition switch
    or the sensor in the column.

    sent from a van down by the river

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Chico, CA
    Posts
    29,847

    Default Re: That Magic Key Thingy

    This is out of my FSM for a 99. But it is a start for you

    ARMING
    Passive arming of the VTSS occurs when the vehicle
    is exited with the key removed from the ignition
    switch, the headlamps are turned off, and the doors
    are locked while they are open using the power lock
    switch. The power lock switch will not function if the
    key is in the ignition switch or the headlamps are on
    with the driver side front door open. The VTSS will
    not arm if the driver side front door is locked using
    the key in the lock cylinder or using the mechanical
    lock button.
    Active arming of the VTSS occurs when the
    Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter is used to
    lock the vehicle, even if the doors and/or the liftgate
    are open when the RKE transmitter Lock button is
    depressed. However, the VTSS arming will not be
    complete until all of the doors and the liftgate are
    closed. Refer to Remote Keyless Entry System in
    the Remote Keyless Entry System section of Group
    8P - Power Lock Systems for more information on the
    RKE system components.
    Following successful passive or active VTSS arming,
    the VTSS LED on the top of the instrument
    panel will flash rapidly for about fifteen seconds after
    the illuminated entry system times out. This indicates
    that VTSS arming is in progress. Once the fifteen
    second arming function is successfully
    completed, the set lamp will flash at a slower rate to
    indicate that the VTSS is armed.

    DISARMING
    Passive disarming of the VTSS occurs when the
    vehicle is unlocked using the key to unlock the driver
    side front door. Active disarming of the VTSS occurs
    when the vehicle is unlocked by depressing the
    Unlock button of the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
    transmitter. Refer to Remote Keyless Entry System
    in the Remote Keyless Entry System section of
    Group 8P - Power Lock Systems for more information
    on the RKE system components. Once the alarm has
    been activated (horn sounding and exterior lamps
    flashing), either disarming method will also deactivate
    the alarm.
    Depressing the Panic button on the RKE transmitter
    will also disarm the VTSS, but the horn will
    sound and the exterior lamps will flash for about
    three minutes as part of the Panic feature function.
    Refer to Power Lock System in the Power Lock
    System section of Group 8P - Power Lock Systems for
    more information on the Panic feature.

    So I am guessing there may be a few things to try and check here. First, lock and unlock manually and see if it does it. If so, then I would guess that the problem lies in a sensor for the door to be sensed as fully unlocked. But that is just a guess
    230 hp 4.3L Chevy
    Built 4L60E with manual lockout
    Atlas 4 speed
    Griffin radiator
    On board air
    Warn 9.5ti on custom bumper
    7.5" RE front and bastard pack rear on custom long arms
    30 gal gas tank
    lockers
    And a bunch of other stuff

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Chico, CA
    Posts
    29,847

    Default Re: That Magic Key Thingy

    Upon further reading, try something they suggest for testing. Disconnect the battery cables and then touch them together and reconnect. Every system, and there are several involved here, will have to relearn how to function. There are power door modules in the driver and passenger doors and lift gate. I am guessing one of them needs a little re education. Most likely the driver door power module
    230 hp 4.3L Chevy
    Built 4L60E with manual lockout
    Atlas 4 speed
    Griffin radiator
    On board air
    Warn 9.5ti on custom bumper
    7.5" RE front and bastard pack rear on custom long arms
    30 gal gas tank
    lockers
    And a bunch of other stuff

  5. #5
    nickyg's Avatar
    nickyg is offline Level: Uber Jeep Cherokee Trailer Queen
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    NC
    Posts
    2,075

    Default Re: That Magic Key Thingy

    I just went through a similar problem with the wife's 08 ford escape. It turned out to be the ignition switch ( a lil black box opposite of where the key goes in)
    I don't know if this pertains to a Grand. but something to keep in mind.
    Attached Images Attached Images  
    One more part and I'll have a new Jeep

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Bloomington, IN
    Posts
    20

    Default Re: That Magic Key Thingy

    Thanks for all the suggestions. It has not done this in a few days. I will tell my daughter to try unlocking with the key if this happens again. If keeps this up, will try the battery connector trick, or look into the switch. I've had it apart when I pulled the dash to fix the blend doors, and didn't see anything like the photo, but I'm sure there is something in there near the key to read that little signal. I would like to disable it if it keep this up.

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