[Aloha JL]

I have a 2020 JL and I’m having really annoying key fob issues… they both go out at a frequency of 2-3x/ month!!! I don’t have a problem getting in and starting it when it’s dead, in fact I perfected the routine to minimize the time the alarm is sounding. But I’m tired of it and would like to solve this problem.
Last week I took it to the dealer for the 2nd time in 3 months last week, they kept it for 2 days and couldn’t find an issue. They replaced the battery. He did say that it could be that the batteries I’ve been buying from various stores like Ace Hardware and Amazon and Walmart, might not go through the batteries frequently enough so I could possibly be buying dead batteries. As often as I have had to buy them I don’t think that’s the problem.
I got it back a week ago today and the freaking low battery warning just came on AGAIN tonight. They lasted 1 week!

I do know that if you store the key too close to the vehicle it could drain faster bc they’re constantly signaling each other. I was curious if anyone knew the range/distance of the key. Mine is pretty far and can remote start. If that is the case I’m going to have to store my keys at the neighbors’ house. Thoughts?

 

[Targe]

The batteries you're buying almost certainly aren't the issue. You shouldn't even be on your second set yet for a 2020.

The issue is probably with the fob itself. A small trace across the board or something us draining the battery through a constant trickle of power. I think the only solution is a new key fob.

 

[Rohan Schloithe]

I have a 2020 JL and I’m having really annoying key fob issues… they both go out at a frequency of 2-3x/ month!!! I don’t have a problem getting in and starting it when it’s dead, in fact I perfected the routine to minimize the time the alarm is sounding. But I’m tired of it and would like to solve this problem.
Last week I took it to the dealer for the 2nd time in 3 months last week, they kept it for 2 days and couldn’t find an issue. They replaced the battery. He did say that it could be that the batteries I’ve been buying from various stores like Ace Hardware and Amazon and Walmart, might not go through the batteries frequently enough so I could possibly be buying dead batteries. As often as I have had to buy them I don’t think that’s the problem.
I got it back a week ago today and the freaking low battery warning just came on AGAIN tonight. They lasted 1 week!

I do know that if you store the key too close to the vehicle it could drain faster bc they’re constantly signaling each other. I was curious if anyone knew the range/distance of the key. Mine is pretty far and can remote start. If that is the case I’m going to have to store my keys at the neighbors’ house. Thoughts?

Check the voltage of the batteries when they are supposedly flat and see if they have actually dropped in voltage compared to new ones. Also scan for codes as something could be recorded in the ECM. Is the low battery warning for the fob or the car battery?

 

[aldo90731]

My 2018 JL key fobs still have the original batteries in them.

As already mentioned, something in the key fob(s) must be draining the batteries.

Is it happening to both fobs? Have you tried replacing the battery one fob at a time to see if it happens in both?

Good luck.

 

[onez st]

So many causes to look at. If the stored fobs are close to the parked vehicle the vehicle will constantly search out and consume the fob battery that responds back. Other comments I've read say storage close to a magnetic source will cause it. I would try storing the fobs somewhere else and see if that fixes the problem before buying replacements.

 

[Aloha JL]

Check the voltage of the batteries when they are supposedly flat and see if they have actually dropped in voltage compared to new ones. Also scan for codes as something could be recorded in the ECM. Is the low battery warning for the fob or the car battery?

Key fob

 

[Aloha JL]

Key fob

View attachment 4557279

 

[Aloha JL]

My 2018 JL key fobs still have the original batteries in them.

As already mentioned, something in the key fob(s) must be draining the batteries.

Is it happening to both fobs? Have you tried replacing the battery one fob at a time to see if it happens in both?

Good luck.

Yes I’ve tried 1 key at a time. 😞

 

[Aloha JL]

Check the voltage of the batteries when they are supposedly flat and see if they have actually dropped in voltage compared to new ones. Also scan for codes as something could be recorded in the ECM. Is the low battery warning for the fob or the car battery?

 

[T.G.]

.

Check the voltage of the batteries when they are supposedly flat and see if they have actually dropped in voltage compared to new ones

Was thinking same thing. Trust the technology. Jeep is telling you the fob battery is low. Pull the battery and put a volt meter on it and see if it is below 3V, and if so, by how much? Not sure what brand or point of purchase your batteries are, but it's not unheard of getting bad stock.

 

[KennethS]

If you verify the batteries are draining as recommended above, next try putting the key fobs into one of those RFID security pouches. That should stop any communications between the vehicle and the fob.

 

[xviper03]

I have a 2020 JL and I’m having really annoying key fob issues… they both go out at a frequency of 2-3x/ month!!! I don’t have a problem getting in and starting it when it’s dead, in fact I perfected the routine to minimize the time the alarm is sounding. But I’m tired of it and would like to solve this problem.
Last week I took it to the dealer for the 2nd time in 3 months last week, they kept it for 2 days and couldn’t find an issue. They replaced the battery. He did say that it could be that the batteries I’ve been buying from various stores like Ace Hardware and Amazon and Walmart, might not go through the batteries frequently enough so I could possibly be buying dead batteries. As often as I have had to buy them I don’t think that’s the problem.
I got it back a week ago today and the freaking low battery warning just came on AGAIN tonight. They lasted 1 week!

I do know that if you store the key too close to the vehicle it could drain faster bc they’re constantly signaling each other. I was curious if anyone knew the range/distance of the key. Mine is pretty far and can remote start. If that is the case I’m going to have to store my keys at the neighbors’ house. Thoughts?

Did you ever solve the problems? I have the same problem with my key fob. Same yearsamesame model jeep

I have a 2020 JL and I’m having really annoying key fob issues… they both go out at a frequency of 2-3x/ month!!! I don’t have a problem getting in and starting it when it’s dead, in fact I perfected the routine to minimize the time the alarm is sounding. But I’m tired of it and would like to solve this problem.
Last week I took it to the dealer for the 2nd time in 3 months last week, they kept it for 2 days and couldn’t find an issue. They replaced the battery. He did say that it could be that the batteries I’ve been buying from various stores like Ace Hardware and Amazon and Walmart, might not go through the batteries frequently enough so I could possibly be buying dead batteries. As often as I have had to buy them I don’t think that’s the problem.
I got it back a week ago today and the freaking low battery warning just came on AGAIN tonight. They lasted 1 week!

I do know that if you store the key too close to the vehicle it could drain faster bc they’re constantly signaling each other. I was curious if anyone knew the range/distance of the key. Mine is pretty far and can remote start. If that is the case I’m going to have to store my keys at the neighbors’ house. Thoughts?

 

[Old Dogger]

Did you ever solve the problems? I have the same problem with my key fob. Same yearsamesame model jeep

Welcome to the Forum!

 

[Aloha JL]

Faraday pouch helped for a long while AND bad batches also seem to be the culprit

solution seems to be: get a good batch of batteries (hit or miss) and keep fob in a faraday pouch!

 

[Gigabot]

How many people don't want to say that the FOB took a little swim with them? It does help others determine what the issue might be. I have two FOBs - my kid took one swimming. I dried it out - put in a new battery(Energizer -Don't buy crappy batteries -that doesn't help the post either)- Boom! back to life...for about a week. Dead. Brand new battery and one week later it is dead again. Other FOB is still fine. So I can conclude it was the water and likely now a short somewhere in the FOB.

 

[Old Dogger]

How many people don't want to say that the FOB took a little swim with them? It does help others determine what the issue might be. I have two FOBs - my kid took one swimming. I dried it out - put in a new battery(Energizer -Don't buy crappy batteries -that doesn't help the post either)- Boom! back to life...for about a week. Dead. Brand new battery and one week later it is dead again. Other FOB is still fine. So I can conclude it was the water and likely now a short somewhere in the FOB.

Welcome to our Family friendly Forum!

 

[Gigabot]

ok - opened the Wrangler FOB and removed the casing to to the circuit board. I can see that there is white water damage around some of the circuit board but not tons. But, one pin has corroded through and is gone on the chip(left side in picture below) likely causing the drain. I will keep the FOB around as it will still work if I need it with a new battery.