No Start!!

[PFranzese]

I am sitting at work waiting for a ride because my truck wont start so I figure this would be the best place to find an answer to my issue before I get it towed to the dealer.



Here is what happened:

Drove to work, totally un-eventfull ride in. I go out to my truck to leave and I unlock the truck with the remote unlock on the key. I put the key in the ignition and wait for the "wait to start" light to turn off, push in the clutch and I turn the key to start the truck. NOTHING, engine doesn't crank, dash lights don't dim, nothing at all, its like I am not even turning the key. I try several more times with the same result. When I got out of the truck to go inside work I tried to lock the doors with the remote on the key and that isn't working now! I can't lock or unlock my truck with the remote on the key! Whats going on?

 

[rbattelle]

Do you have the sentry-key immobilizer system? If so, I'd bet that's the problem. Seems I've heard the same story from others with the system.

I think the only fix is for the dealer to reprogram the key. Someone with the system will certainly chime in here.

-Ryan

 

[PFranzese]

Thanks for the reply Ryan, I do have the sentry key immobilizer system. I think you are right that had a serious role in the issue.

Here is some more:
My wife met me at work because I was going to have the ruck towed to the dealer, 2 miles from work which is nice at least. She set off the alarm(immobilizer system) while she was waiting for me to come out of the building and her key would not turn it off either. So I disconnected the batteries because the horn was just too much to handle. I realized I left a window open so I put the terminals back one battery and the horn honked twice then stopped. I rolled up the window and tried to start the truck, it worked! Truck started and ran fine. Key worked again including the remote locks. I dropped the truck off at the dealer anyway since its so close to work and I will stop by in the morning and talk to the service writer. I'll see if they can check all the software versions of god know how ever many computers are in this thing and see what he says.

I did notice that when the truck was having its little "glitch" the tire pressure monitor warning light would flash on the dashboard in comparison to it lighting up then going out before and after the glitch.

Technology, works great when it works, a nightmare when it doesn't. Love the truck and I guess I should be happy since this is the only issue I have had so far. Knock on wood!!!!

 

[BHiggins]

I just went through it a few months ago, no need to pay for a tow... Disconnect BOTH batteries for about 30 seconds. When you reconnect them the truck should start. NOTE: After this "reset" DO NOT use the button on the key fob until you get the truck's anti-theft reprogrammed, use the actual key to get in and out of the truck. If you do, you'll end up with the same no-start, and will have to disconnect the batteries again.

 

[JFought]

i had the same thing happen,
i replaced 1 battery with no change,

the problem was the starter! never gave one symptom of it crapping out. old timers will hit it with a hammer or ratchet to help the motor or solenoid get past a "bad spot, or winding"

i am in service work so i got towed and replaced the starter.

 

[PFranzese]

This morning I stopped at the dealer, truck still worked fine. When talking to the service writer a mechanic came over and the service writer asked him to listen to my story since he would be working on it. I told him what happened and he immediately said the Sentry Key Immobilizer was at fault. A second mechanic came up front and confirmed the same thing. I gave them both of my keys they said they would check it out. Later in the morning the service writer called said they would replace the SKIM. Not in stock as usual but he would have it Saturday morning and I would get the truck back by 12 noon.

The mechanic confirmed that disconnecting the batteries is the proper procedure for reseting the SKIM. I wonder if the truck would have been fine after I disconnected the batteries? Either way I get a new one under warranty.

Thanks to all the responded to my post.

 

[BHiggins]

Once you "reset" by disconnecting the batteries you will be able to start the truck, the underlying problem would still be present though. The next time you pressed "unlock" you would be back in the same boat, with a truck that won't start. I used my truck for months before I was able to get it fixed, I just got used to locking and unlocking with the key and not the button.

 

[PFranzese]

That was the strange part, everything worked after the reset. I was able to lock and unlock the truck without any issues. The dealer ended up changing the WIM module, Something to do with the wireless for the keys and the TPM. The SKIM module ended up being ok.



The question I have for any of the techs on the forum is if I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee key(exactly the same type of key as the Dodge and it also has the Sentry Key Imobilizer System) on the same keychain can this cause any issues? Should I seperate the keys?

 

[TCDiesel]

No it won't cause any Issues the WIM is a 1 time burn, No chance of ever corrupting the Module.