[JerseyGirl]

Hello!
I just purchased my '08 Nitro SLT two weeks ago...so excited!

The first morning after I bought it I went out to open the doors and the keyfob wouldn't work. I would press and press the button but it seemed like it was totally dead. So I got the other keyfob and tried that...no luck. I finally opened the door manually with the key. When I went to start the engine, the ignition took a few seconds (more than usual) to register the command. Once the engine started I noticed the clock had reset itself to 12:00, but the presets on the radio had not reset. I drove a mile or two to the store, turned the car off, took the key out of the ignition and when I opened the door the warning chime came on and the EVIC displayed "Key In Ignition". But I had the key in my hand! Got back into the car, drove to work and the problem went away. Didn't happen again for the rest of the day.
Mostly it happens every single morning when it's cold, however one time the car sat from 5pm - 11pm (it was 50 degrees outside) and it happened. Took it to the dealer and they don't really know what the problem is. I'm not about to rent a car and leave the Nitro there for a week just so they can tell me they still don't know what it is. I've seen similar problems posted on this site but no solid resolutions. Any help you could provide would be MUCH appreciated!

 

[Quiet Lunatic]

Hey JerseyGirl welcome to the forum.

The problem with the majority of electrical problems is that they can't fix it if it doesn't happen when they have the vehicle. You've probably done the right thing by leaving it there for a week. I hope they get it fixed soon for you..

 

[SeattleJoe]

I'm not about to rent a car and leave the Nitro there for a week just so they can tell me they still don't know what it is.

Yeah, I know what you mean. Even with the rental car usage on the extended warranty, I doubt they'd pay for a rental car while the dealership tried to verify an issue existed.

I'm having somewhat similar issues, but not nearly so radical as yours. My keyless remote has never NOT worked, but the range varies from about 10' to about 50' ... and it's NEVER a problem when the dealership checks it out. (That happens a lot with these issues ... works fine when you try to show someone else the problem.)

Next time my Nitro is in, I'm going to ask them to park the rig nearby, and grab the remote every 1/2 hour or so and try to unlock/lock the doors ... hopefully it will finally "not work" for them, they can document the issue, and then try to fix it.

One really good thing is that my dealership is very good about working with me ... they will keep checking ... they don't just "write me off" because they can't duplicate an issue I tell them about.

Good luck!


Oh ... and welcome to the Forum!!!

 

[RtNitroDarts]

Hi JG and welcome

I just got my RT last week and have noticed intermitent problems with my RKE (Key Fob) locking and unlocking the doors as well. In my case, it appears that distance makes a difference. On my Dodge Magnum, I could lock/unlock/hit panic button in parking lots from 500 feet away but on my Nitro, I'm lucky if it works within 50 feet. I haven't payed attention to the cold because its been cold in Michigan since November LOL so I'm not sure if thats the problem. I've tried both Key fobs and it seems to happen with both of them. It does seem to work well within 10 to 20 feet of the truck, but from inside the house it doesn't work hardly ever (maybe once or twice in the last week and a half).

I took the key fob apart like I was going to replace the battery (which is the next step as soon as I get to a store) and noticed that its a slightly different design than my 05 Magnum had. In this design, the battery makes a connection to the circuit board through little tabs and on the magnum the battery and holder were a part of the circuit board. I bent the tabs up at all the connection points and it does seem to work a little better but I haven't tested it long enough to confirm it to be the "Big Fix". When I replace the battery I'll post back to this thread to see if that helps. But for now, bending the connection tabs up slightly does seem to help a little, but still no 500 feet like the magnum.

 

[JerseyGirl]

I was just reading through the manual and it states that the keyfob only works within "23 feet of the vehicle". So I'm guessing they didn't build a strong enough wireless transmitter to have it function at farther distances for you guys that are used to a much farther range. :smiledown:

As far as the faulty Keyfob and resetting clock go, I just pulled the fuse that controls both of those (M13) and reseated it. Hopefully that works and it opens without incident tomorrow morning. If not, I'm going right to the dealership and getting a new fuse under the warranty.
I'll let you guys know the outcome...

Thanks for all of your advice so far!

 

[stealthmeister]

I was just reading through the manual and it states that the keyfob only works within "23 feet of the vehicle". So I'm guessing they didn't build a strong enough wireless transmitter to have it function at farther distances for you guys that are used to a much farther range. :smiledown:

As far as the faulty Keyfob and resetting clock go, I just pulled the fuse that controls both of those (M13) and reseated it. Hopefully that works and it opens without incident tomorrow morning. If not, I'm going right to the dealership and getting a new fuse under the warranty.
I'll let you guys know the outcome...

Thanks for all of your advice so far!

I know you guys get Top Gear over there, so I will pass on something they showed a couple of years ago.

In order to have your fob work at MUCH greater distances put the tip of the key up to your temple and press the open or lock which ever you want and bada bing it WILL work. I can get mine to open a good 60/80 feet away, maybe more.

True. :smileup:

 

[SeattleJoe]

.............put the tip of the key up to your temple and press the open or lock which ever you want and bada bing it WILL work.

Wow ... using Brain Power to supplement the power of the remote??? :smileup:

I'll try it, see if I can get the remote to work before I can actually TOUCH the Nitro!

 

[stealthmeister]

Wow ... using Brain Power to supplement the power of the remote??? :smileup:

I'll try it, see if I can get the remote to work before I can actually TOUCH the Nitro!

It only works of course if you have a brain in the correct place otherwise I guess you would have to put the tip of the key on your foot or where your brain is located. :chuckle:

 

[SeattleJoe]

It only works of course if you have a brain in the correct place otherwise I guess you would have to put the tip of the key on your foot or where your brain is located. :chuckle:

And THAT could look a little curious considering where SOME people's brains are located! (Y'know, the slow drivers in the fast lane, those that don't signal their turns or lane changes, the ones making left turns from the right lane...............)

 

[RtNitroDarts]

Hi JG and welcome

I just got my RT last week and have noticed intermitent problems with my RKE (Key Fob) locking and unlocking the doors as well. In my case, it appears that distance makes a difference. On my Dodge Magnum, I could lock/unlock/hit panic button in parking lots from 500 feet away but on my Nitro, I'm lucky if it works within 50 feet. I haven't payed attention to the cold because its been cold in Michigan since November LOL so I'm not sure if thats the problem. I've tried both Key fobs and it seems to happen with both of them. It does seem to work well within 10 to 20 feet of the truck, but from inside the house it doesn't work hardly ever (maybe once or twice in the last week and a half).

I took the key fob apart like I was going to replace the battery (which is the next step as soon as I get to a store) and noticed that its a slightly different design than my 05 Magnum had. In this design, the battery makes a connection to the circuit board through little tabs and on the magnum the battery and holder were a part of the circuit board. I bent the tabs up at all the connection points and it does seem to work a little better but I haven't tested it long enough to confirm it to be the "Big Fix". When I replace the battery I'll post back to this thread to see if that helps. But for now, bending the connection tabs up slightly does seem to help a little, but still no 500 feet like the magnum.

As for JG's post above about 23 foot distance, I assume this is for vehicles withour Remote Starting because of you read further in the manual, the fob should start a vehicle up to 300 feet away. It doesn't make sense that you could start it that far and not operate the doors that far as well. Since I can't be certain of that logic, I'll assume that 23 feet is only for vehicles with RKE only.

As promised, I went to the store and got a new battery (CR2032) and replaced it. It does seem to work a little better with more distance. I can be sitting in my recliner in the house and the key in my pocket and activate the door lock and hear the horn sound when locked. So with a new battery and the bending up of battery contacts, it seems to have gained me at least 50 feet of distance.

 

[NitroTech]

Remote Keyless Entry functions of the power locks has a range of 10-23ft. This doesn't change if the vehicle is equipped with/without Factory Remote Start.

The antenna for the RKE fob is integrated with the Wireless Control Module (WCM). There is an external antenna connected to the WCM for greater range when operating the remote start system.

 

[SeattleJoe]

Remote Keyless Entry functions of the power locks has a range of 10-23ft. This doesn't change if the vehicle is equipped with/without Factory Remote Start.

The antenna for the RKE fob is integrated with the Wireless Control Module (WCM). There is an external antenna connected to the WCM for greater range when operating the remote start system.

Is it possible to get this external antenna if you DON'T have the remote start system?

 

[NitroTech]

The external antenna is dedicated to the remote start function. If I'm thinking what you're thinking it wouldn't increase the range of RKE functions.

Although if you did want the external antenna it would require the replacement of the WCM that accepts this antenna, reprogramming and of course the antenna.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Problem solved...FINALLY!
After viewing the posts on this forum and doing a little more web research, I figured out the problem was the Wireless Control Module (WCM). Chrysler issued a service bulletin this month for problems with no crank/no start (and failure of the remote keyless entry) due to electrostatic discharge buildup in the WCM. The solution was the replacement of that part.

It took 4-5 days for the part to be ordered and arrive, but the fix was fast and easy. Waited maybe 45 minutes at the dealership. Must bring all your extra key fobs for them to be reprogrammed to the new WCM.

Hope this helps anyone else experiencing the same or similar problems.

 

[Waldorf]

great news! thanks for sharing your result with all of us! :rep:

 

[Quiet Lunatic]

Did that fix increase the range or is that still the same?

 

[KenCary]

Problem solved...FINALLY!
After viewing the posts on this forum and doing a little more web research, I figured out the problem was the Wireless Control Module (WCM). Chrysler issued a service bulletin this month for problems with no crank/no start (and failure of the remote keyless entry) due to electrostatic discharge buildup in the WCM. The solution was the replacement of that part.

It took 4-5 days for the part to be ordered and arrive, but the fix was fast and easy. Waited maybe 45 minutes at the dealership. Must bring all your extra key fobs for them to be reprogrammed to the new WCM.

Hope this helps anyone else experiencing the same or similar problems.

I am experiencing problems with my '06 Liberty.

Can anybody help me find the TSB on this issue?

Here is what happened today:

For no reason, both key transmitters stopped working on my '06 CRD Liberty.

I checked the batteries on both with a DVM, they were good, but I replaced one anyway and that did not help.

I tried to train the keys per the instructions in the manual but that did not work either.

At one point, an odd thing happened, when I pressed lock or unlock on BOTH keys, the doors sometimes worked. I disconnected the battery for 10 min to clear any faults--- nothing worked.

Both keys are recognized by the ignition but the keyless entry does not work.

Has anybody else had this issue?

Any ideas?

Ken

 

[Scar0]

I am experiencing problems with my '06 Liberty.

Can anybody help me find the TSB on this issue?

Ken

Ask and you shall receive, right here on this great forum, or on the net.

 

[KenCary]

Thanks for the link to the TSB.

To my surprise, the key transmitters started working today. This is starting to sound like the same problem that started this tread.

BTW. Sorry about the URL, I did not even know that I posted a link to another forum. I cut and pasted my post on the other forum and there must have been a hidden link that I did not see.


Ken

 

[Scar0]

There is also a similar TSB for the 04 Libby. I don't have the # right now, but I saw it on the net.