FIXED: 2014 jeep grand cherokee remote start not working

The Short Answer: Why It's Not Working

If your 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee won't remote start, look at your dashboard first. Is the Check Engine Light on? If yes, that is your problem. You have to fix the engine code and clear it before remote start works again.

If there are no warning lights, the problem is almost certainly the Hood Latch Switch. This is a small sensor inside the locking mechanism under the hood. It gets corroded or dirty and tells the computer the hood is "open." For safety reasons, the Jeep won't remote start if it thinks the hood is up. The fix is usually replacing that latch or cleaning the sensor.

Now that we got the quick answer out of the way, lets dive into the details so you can get your Jeep warm (or cool) again.

The "Hood Open" Sensor Issue (The Most Likely Fix)

I can't tell you how many times I’ve seen this on the forums and with friends' Jeeps. It is practically a plague for the 2014 model year. According to many discussions on sites like JeepGarage, this sensor is the weak link.

Here is what happens: You press the remote start button twice (x2). The lights might flash, the horn might honk once, but the engine stays silent. If you look at your dashboard screen (the EVIC display), you might even see a quick flash of a message saying "Hood Ajar" or "Hood Open," even though you know for a fact you slammed that hood shut.

Why does this happen?

The sensor is located inside the latch mechanism right at the front of the engine bay. It gets hit with water, road salt, dirt, and grime every time you drive. Eventually, the electrical contact gets dirty or the micro-switch fails. When it fails, it defaults to the "Open" position as a safety measure.

How to fix it

You have two options here. You can try to clean it, or you can replace it. Replacing it is the better long-term fix.

1. The Temporary Fix (Cleaning): Open the hood. Locate the latch in the center. Get a can of electrical contact cleaner or even WD-40 (though contact cleaner is better). Spray it liberally into the mechanism where the wires connect. Open and close the hood a few times to work it in. This works maybe 50% of the time.
2. The Permanent Fix (Replacement): You need to buy a new Hood Latch Assembly. You don't just buy the sensor; it usually comes as the whole latch unit. It's not super expensive. You remove the plastic cover over the radiator (pop out the plastic rivets), unbolt the old latch (usually two bolts), unplug the wire, and swap in the new one. It takes about 20 minutes with basic tools.

The Check Engine Light Safety Protocol

This catches a lot of people off guard. You might have a Check Engine Light (CEL) on for something totally minor. Maybe it's a loose gas cap or a small EVAP leak. The car drives fine, so you ignore it.

But then winter comes, and your remote start doesn't work.

Jeep programmed the computer (the ECU) to disable remote start whenever a fault code is stored. The logic is actually pretty sound according to the manufacturer. If the engine has a problem, they don't want it running unattended in your driveway where you can't see smoke or hear a weird noise.

The Fix: You have to scan the codes. Go to an auto parts store (most do this for free) and get the code read. Fix the issue, and clear the code. Once the dashboard light is off, your remote start should return to normal immediately.

The "Silly" Check: Doors, Hazards, and Gas

Before you go buying parts or tearing apart your engine bay, we need to check the simple stuff. The Jeep Grand Cherokee has a long list of "inhibitors" that prevent remote start. It's like a pre-flight checklist the car does in a split second.

Check these things first:

• Fuel Level: If your low fuel light is on, the remote start will not engage. The car assumes you don't want to burn your last drop of gas idling in the driveway. It usually cuts off if the needle is near the "E".
• Hazard Lights: Are your hazard flashers on? Remote start is disabled if they are blinking.
• Door/Liftgate Ajar: If a door isn't closed all the way, or the rear liftgate didn't latch completely, the system locks you out. Walk around the car and give every door a firm hip-check to make sure they are shut.
• Key Fob Panic Button: If you accidentally hit the panic button recently, the system might be in a lockout mode. Start the car manually with the key to reset it.
• Transmission: The car must be in PARK. I know, obvious right? But sometimes the shifter linkage can be a little sloppy. Make sure it's firmly in Park.

The Battery Issue (Voltage Drop)

The 2014 Grand Cherokee is basically a rolling computer network. It is very sensitive to voltage.

When you use remote start, the car puts a massive load on the battery to crank the engine without the benefit of you being inside to turn everything off. If the car's computer senses that the battery voltage is slightly low (even if it's strong enough to start the car with the button inside), it will abort the remote start.

I had a friend whose Jeep would start fine when he sat in it, but remote start failed every cold morning. We swapped the battery, and boom, remote start worked again. If your battery is more than 3 or 4 years old, have it load tested. Note that the 2014 model usually has an AGM battery located under the passenger seat, not under the hood.

Key Fob Problems

Sometimes the problem isn't the car, it's the thing in your hand. The key fob sends a radio signal to the Wireless Control Module (WCM). If that signal is weak, the car won't hear the "start" command.

Symptoms of a bad fob battery:

• You have to be standing really close to the car for it to work.
• You have to press the button incredibly hard.
• The door lock/unlock buttons are also hit-or-miss.

The Fix: Replace the battery. It’s usually a CR2032. You can pop the fob open with a small flathead screwdriver. It costs like $5 for a two-pack of batteries. Even if you think the battery is "okay," change it anyway. It's the cheapest troubleshooting step you can take.

Understanding the Feedback (The Horn Honk)

Your Jeep talks to you. You just have to know the language. When you attempt a remote start, listen closely to what the car does.

• One Honk: This usually means "I heard you, but I can't start." This indicates a safety lockout (Door open, Hood open, CEL on).
• Two Honks (and engine starts): This is success.
• No Honk, No Lights: The car didn't hear you. This is likely a dead key fob battery or a bad receiver in the car.

Deep Dive: Replacing the Hood Latch (DIY Guide)

Since the hood latch is the most common issue for the 2014 model specifically, lets walk through how to change it. You can save yourself about $200 in labor costs by doing this yourself. It is not hard, honestly.

What you need:

• New Hood Latch (Check Mopar part numbers, usually around $50-$80).
• 10mm socket and ratchet.
• Flathead screwdriver or trim removal tool.

The Steps:

1. Open the hood. Prop it up safely.

2. Remove the radiator cover. There is a black plastic shield covering the gap between the bumper and the radiator. It is held on by those annoying plastic push-pin rivets. Use your flathead screwdriver to pop the center of the pin up, then pull the whole rivet out. Don't lose them!

3. Locate the latch. It's right in the center. You will see an electrical connector plugging into the bottom or side of it. That is the evil sensor causing all your problems.

4. Disconnect the cable. There is a mechanical release cable (the one that connects to the handle inside the car). You need to unhook the ball end of the cable from the latch mechanism.

5. Unbolt it. There are usually two 10mm bolts holding the latch to the frame. Remove them.

6. Swap and Reassemble. Put the new latch in, tighten the bolts, reattach the release cable, and plug in the electrical connector. Snap the plastic cover back on.

Once you do this, you shouldn't even need to reset the computer. The car will simply realize the hood is "Closed" now and allow the remote start to function.

When to see a Professional

If you have changed the fob battery, ensured there is no Check Engine Light, verified the hood pin is working (or replaced it), and checked your gas level, and it still wont work? You might have a deeper electrical issue.

There is a module called the TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module). Jeep owners know this part well, and usually not for good reasons. It's the fuse box/computer brain. If the TIPM starts acting up, it can cause all sorts of weird electrical gremlins, including remote start failure. Replacing a TIPM is expensive and requires programming, so that is a job for the dealer or a specialized mechanic.

Also, if you have an aftermarket remote start (one that uses a separate fob or requires you to click 'Lock' 3 times), these troubleshooting steps might differ slightly. Aftermarket systems have their own "Valet Mode" switches that sometimes get bumped. Look under your dashboard for a small toggle switch if you have an aftermarket system.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee shut off when you open the door?

On the factory system, usually no. It should stay running. However, when you get in, you have to press the "Start/Stop" button (with your foot on the brake) to "take over" the car before you can put it in gear. If you touch the brake pedal before pressing the button, the engine will shut off.

Can I reset my remote start system?

There isn't a specific "reset button." However, you can try a hard reset of the vehicle's electronics. Disconnect the negative (black) terminal from your main battery (under the passenger seat) for about 15 minutes. Reconnect it. This forces the computer to reboot and re-check all sensors.

How long does the remote start run for?

The 2014 Grand Cherokee will run for 15 minutes. You can extend it one time by pressing the remote start button twice again, adding another 15 minutes to the timer. After two cycles, you have to physically start the car to reset the timer.

Will remote start work if my tire pressure light is on?

Generally, yes. A Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) light usually does not disable the remote start. However, a flashing TPMS light indicating a system error might in some rare software versions, but typically it's only the Check Engine Light that stops the show.

Why does my Jeep honk but not start?

As mentioned earlier, a single honk is the car rejecting your request. It received the signal but a safety parameter failed. Check: Hood latch, doors ajar, liftgate, or Check Engine Light.