FIXED: jeep wrangler remote start not working

Why Your Jeep Wrangler Remote Start Isn't Working

If you pressed the button twice on your key fob and your Jeep just honked at you without starting, here is the short answer: Your Jeep's computer has detected a safety issue.

The most common reasons are a Check Engine Light (even if it's just a loose gas cap), low fuel level, a door that isn't shut tight, or a weak battery in your key fob. The system is designed to disable remote start so you don't accidentally damage the engine or cause a safety hazard.

Below, I’m going to walk you through exactly how to troubleshoot this. I've dealt with this on my own rig and helped plenty of friends with theirs, so we'll get down to the bottom of it.

1. The Check Engine Light (The Usual Suspect)

This is honestly the number one reason I see. According to the Jeep owner's manual, the remote start system is hard-coded to fail if there is an active fault code in the car's computer (OBDII system).

The car is basically thinking, "I'm sick, don't run me without a driver present."

The Loose Gas Cap: weirdly enough, this is the most frequent cause. If your gas cap is loose, cracked, or the rubber seal is dried out, the Jeep detects an evaporative leak. This triggers a Check Engine Light. Once that light is on, remote start dies.

The Fix:

• Look at your dash. Is the yellow engine outline lit up?
• If yes, tighten your gas cap. You might have to drive it for a few cycles (start, drive, stop) for the light to clear itself.
• If the cap is tight but the light stays on, go to an auto parts store like AutoZone. They will scan the code for free. If the code is serious, you need to fix the engine issue before remote start will work again.

2. The "Hood Ajar" Switch

This one is specific to Jeeps and it drives people crazy. There is a safety switch located under the hood (usually near the radiator or along the fender wall) that tells the computer if the hood is open.

The logic is simple: The car doesn't want to remote start if a mechanic has their hands inside the engine bay. That would be dangerous.

However, because we drive Wranglers, we tend to get things dusty, muddy, or rattled around. The switch often gets dirty or bent slightly, so the Jeep thinks the hood is open even when its latched tight. If you have a dashboard message saying "Hood Ajar" or if your alarm goes off randomly at night, this is your culprit.

The Fix: Pop the hood and look for the plunger switch. Clean it off. Sometimes you just need to bend the mounting bracket up slightly so it makes better contact with the hood when it closes.

3. The Low Fuel Cut-Off

I’ve done this myself. I parked the Jeep with the gas light on, thinking I'd fill up in the morning. Woke up, tried to warm up the car, and nothing.

To prevent the vehicle from sucking the lines dry and stranding you in your own driveway (or burning out the fuel pump), Jeep disables remote start if the fuel level is critically low. usually, this happens when the "Low Fuel" warning light is active.

The Fix: Go put gas in it. Once the light is off, the remote start will function again immediately.

4. The Auxiliary Battery Issue (Start/Stop System)

If you have a newer Jeep Wrangler (JL model, 2018 and newer), you technically have two batteries. You have the big main one, and a smaller "auxiliary" battery buried underneath it. This little battery runs the Electronic Stop/Start (ESS) system.

Here is the problem: When that little battery starts to die, it leeches power from the main battery. The Jeep's computer is very sensitive to voltage. If the system voltage drops below a certain threshold while the car is off, remote start is one of the first features to get disabled to save power for a manual start.

I have seen dozens of forum posts where people swear their battery is fine because the car starts with the key, but the remote start fails. It is almost always that sneaky aux battery failing.

The Fix: If your auto start/stop feature hasn't been working lately either, test your batteries. You might need to replace both. It's an expensive fix, but it solves a lot of electrical gremlins in the JL Wranglers.

5. User Error and Simple Checks

Sometimes it's not the car, it's just the situation. The system has a checklist it runs through in a split second before firing the engine. If any of these aren't right, it cancels the command.

Check these quick things:

• Gear Selector: The Jeep must be in PARK. If the shifter cable is a little loose and it's not fully registering as being in Park, it won't start. Try wiggling the shifter and trying again.
• Doors and Gate: If one of your kids didn't slam the back swing gate hard enough, the system sees it as "open."
• Hazard Lights: If your hazard flashers are on, remote start is disabled.
• Brake Pedal: Is something pressing on the brake pedal? If the brake switch is active, the car won't remote start.
• Key in Car: If you left a spare key fob inside the cupholder, the car usually wont remote start to prevent theft (depending on the model year).

Troubleshooting the Key Fob

If you aren't even getting a horn honk or light flash when you press the button, the issue might just be the remote itself.

Battery Replacement

Most Jeep key fobs use a CR2032 or CR2450 battery. They last about 3-5 years. When they get weak, the range drops drastically. You might be standing just out of range.

Try holding the remote against your chin (I know, it sounds stupid, but the liquid in your head acts as an antenna) and press the button. If it works, your battery is weak. Swap it out; it costs like five bucks.

The Antenna Receiver

If you recently got your windows tinted, specifically with metallic tint, it can interfere with the RF signal. Also, if you have installed accessories like dash cams or CB radios near the rearview mirror, they can sometimes create interference with the remote start receiver module.

Advanced: Resetting the Uconnect System

Sometimes computers just get confused. The Uconnect system controls a lot of the vehicle's "comfort" electronics. If the system is glitching, a hard reset might fix it.

How to do a "Soft" Reset: Some owners have luck by simply disconnecting the negative (black) battery terminal for about 15 minutes. This forces all the modules in the Jeep to shut down and reboot.

Note: When you reconnect it, you might lose your radio presets and the compass might need to be driven in a circle to recalibrate. But often, this clears out the temporary "logic lock" that was preventing the start.

Aftermarket vs. Factory Remote Start

Everything I wrote above applies to the OEM (Factory) remote start. If you bought your Jeep used and it has an aftermarket starter (like Viper, Compustar, or a plug-and-play kit), the rules are different.

Aftermarket systems usually have a "Valet Mode." If you accidentally pressed a combination of buttons, you might have put the system to sleep. Usually, this involves turning the key on and off a certain amount of times or holding a button on the antenna. You'll need to look up the manual for your specific brand.

Also, many aftermarket kits for the Wrangler JK (2007-2018) use a "3x Lock" start method. Instead of a dedicated start button, you press Lock-Lock-Lock. If you are trying to use a dedicated button on a remote that isn't programmed, it wont work.

The "Maximum Run" Limit

Did you know there is a limit to how many times you can use it? According to Jeep, you can only remote start the vehicle two consecutive times.

So, if you start it, let it run for the 15-minute cycle, and it shuts off. Then you start it again, and let it run another 15 minutes. It will shut off again. If you try a third time, it will not work.

You must physically go out to the Jeep, unlock it, insert the key (or push the start button), and turn the ignition to "ON/RUN" to reset the counter. This is to prevent you from accidentally starting it in your garage and letting it run until it runs out of gas or poisons the house with carbon monoxide.

When to see a Pro

If you have checked the engine light (no codes), the gas is full, the doors are shut, the hood pin is clean, and the battery is new... you might have a deeper electrical issue.

It could be a bad Neutral Safety Switch or a failing TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module). The TIPM is basically the brain box for the fuses, and Jeeps are notorious for having TIPM issues. If your wipers are acting possessed or your power locks are firing randomly along with the remote start failure, it's probably the TIPM. That is a job for a mechanic or a dealership.

Conclusion

Look, 90% of the time, this issue is a safety feature doing exactly what it's supposed to do. It’s annoying when it's freezing outside and you want a warm seat, but the car is trying to protect itself. Start with the Check Engine Light and the gas cap-thats usually the winner.

Hopefully, this gets you back on the road (and warm) quickly. Jeep on!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add remote start to my Jeep Wrangler if it didn't come with it?

Yes! There are two main ways. You can buy a Mopar kit from the dealer, which keeps your warranty intact but is pricey because they have to flash the computer. Or, you can buy a "plug-and-play" kit (like from Start-X) that plugs into the OBDII port or behind the glove box. These use your existing key fob (usually pressing Lock 3 times) to start the car.

Does the remote start turn on the heat or AC?

Yes. On models with Automatic Climate Control, the Jeep will try to get the cabin to a comfortable temperature. If it's cold outside, it should turn on the heat and the heated seats/steering wheel (if you enabled that in the Uconnect settings). If it's hot, it blasts the AC. On manual climate control models, it just blasts whatever you left the dials set to when you turned the car off.

Why does my Jeep shut off as soon as I open the door?

This is actually a security feature on some aftermarket systems, but on the factory Jeep system, the engine should stay running when you open the door. However, it will shut off if you touch the brake pedal before inserting the key or pressing the push-to-start button.

My remote start works but the range is terrible. Why?

First, change the battery in the fob. If that doesn't help, check for interference. LED headlights, phone chargers, and metallic window tint can all reduce range. Also, holding the remote higher up in the air actually helps the signal travel further.

Will remote start work if my doors are off?

This is a tricky one. If you unplug the wiring harness for the doors (to take them off), the computer knows the doors are disconnected. Usually, the system is smart enough to bypass the "door ajar" check if the harness is unplugged properly, allowing remote start to work. However, you must make sure the hood is definitely latched.