Possible reason the JL key fob is so big - waterproof

[grady2hig]

Why can't they fit a freeken proximity sensor in it...

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[Jebiruph]

We just bought a new Cherokee and I thought I would post a comparison of the key fob size and seal.

Size comparison. As small as the Cherokee fob looks, it feels even smaller. And yes it is a proximity key fob.

Picture of seal in JL key.

Seal in KL key. Looks way better, but I won't be testing it.

 

[snakevsplane]

With manual door locks? I have to doubt that... But, I'll go give it a try (while leaving a window rolled down so that I can still get the key off the seat)...

EDITED...

Just tried it... As I suspected, it is most definitely possible to lock the doors with the key/fob still in the vehicle.

Really? Did you use the manual door lock or the automatic door lock? Maybe your car is missing some option?

 

[RubenZ]

Really? Did you use the manual door lock or the automatic door lock? Maybe your car is missing some option?

Of course he's missing an option. Its the called the Power Locks Option LOL. He has a Manual locking jeep. That is why it doesn't work.

 

[NavyVet1959]

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/09/0...-after-son-got-locked-inside-hot-vehicle.html

A Michigan mom is warning parents who have keyless entry cars to be cautious after her young son became locked inside a hot vehicle while she was pumping gas.

Katie Corbin of Novi, Mich., stopped at a gas station in Northville Township to pump gas on Tuesday when her vehicle, a 2018 Chevy Malibu, locked, WXYZ reported. Her one-year-old son Joey was locked inside the car along with her two sets of car keys and cell phone.

“At this point I’m panicking,” Corbin told WXYZ. “It’s 92 degrees outside.”

Corbin said her car has keyless entry but she has used vehicles with similar systems in the past.

“I thought that having a keyless entry car meant that I could leave my key in my car while I went and pumped gas,” she said. “That was not the case.”

Corbin said bystanders came by to help and called 911, who came quickly and were able to safely remove her son from the car.

“He was just pouring sweat,” Corbin said. “I got him out. He stopped crying immediately — just laid his head on my chest, and I just squeezed him and held him.”

Corbin said she called the car dealership to alert them about the incident and was told fabric could cut off a signal from the key. Her two sets of keys were located in her purse and diaper bag.

About 37 children die each year after being trapped inside a hot car, according to KidsandCars.org.

Corbin said she would not leave her keys in the car again and asked other parents to heed her advice.

"Technology failed me and my child was or in harm’s way,” she said. “Be careful, don’t trust technology.”

Yeah, the keyless entry system is a problem, but so is stupidity like what is illustrated by this woman (and many women like her).

• You should not leave your keys in your car, otherwise someone can steal it.
• You should not leave your purse in your car, otherwise someone can snatch it and walk away while you are busy pumping gas.
• If you do choose to leave your purse in your car, it should not be in plain sight and the car should be locked.

These rules should be followed if you have a traditional key system or if you have one of the keyless ignition gimmicks that many cars are coming with these days.

 

[digitalbliss]

Thanks for the info @NavyVet1959

 

[NavyVet1959]

Thanks for the info @NavyVet1959

It's not a dead horse when you're trying to educate people on the stupidity of putting all these electronic gimmicks in vehicles.

And other things... The old electro-mechanical washer and dryers lasted for a LONG time and were cheap and easy to repair. Same goes for the older refrigerators and stoves. Not so much the case now that they are making them electronically controlled.

 

[Jebiruph]

The reason that the fob is so big, bigger than other FCA fobs, is because the Wrangler is available with manual locks. This required the fob to have a usable key as opposed to an emergency key like the smaller fobs. In this picture, you can see that the size is needed to accommodate the normal sized circuit board along with the flip out key.

 

[shacdaddy]

I'm not gonna read through 9 pages, but my opinion is that the key fob is larger than normal because the remote start range is INSANE.

It's easily 4-5x greater than my Denali. Everytime I think I'm too far to start it, it works.

 

[NavyVet1959]

I'm not gonna read through 9 pages, but my opinion is that the key fob is larger than normal because the remote start range is INSANE.

It's easily 4-5x greater than my Denali. Everytime I think I'm too far to start it, it works.

Didn't have remote start in my Ram, but the range on the remote control to lock the doors was pretty good. I once stood by the window in my 4th floor office and could see the light flash after I pressed the lock button (because I couldn't remember whether I had locked it or not). I was probably 100 yards away across the parking lot. I've also had cars where you needed to be maybe 20-30 ft from the car and aim the remote just right because the sensor apparently was near the rear view mirror.

 

[RussJeep1]

... I once stood by the window in my 4th floor office and could see the light flash after I pressed the lock button (because I couldn't remember whether I had locked it or not). I was probably 100 yards away across the parking lot....

This is a fair anecdote, but one also somewhat necessary to take into context given you were transmitting from a point of height.

I'm not trashing your story; I'm not saying other key fobs could do this (I just don't know.) I'm simply making the analogy of your position when you actuated the fob and that of a highly perched radio antenna.

 

[flipper]

My very first Jeep modification. Hook to hold my fob. Really....I did this!!!

 

[HeavyMetal]

Word to the wise. Don't put too much faith in the water proofing. Got a rental JL this evening, they must have soaked the key when washing. They gave it to me a little wet, didn't think much of it. Got to my destination and tried to lock the Jeep and the remote got a mind of its own. The buttons either didn't work or did the opposite of what I was pressing. It also was triggering the door locks when just sitting on the counter. Even got a bonus car alarm trigger out of the deal. Took the fob apart and removed the battery, water was coming out of where the buttons are. Letting it dry overnight. So yeah. Avoid this experience. Jeep is locked until morning because I can't risk another middle of the night car alarm trying to get in it...

 

[Yeeper]

Word to the wise. Don't put too much faith in the water proofing. Got a rental JL this evening, they must have soaked the key when washing. They gave it to me a little wet, didn't think much of it. Got to my destination and tried to lock the Jeep and the remote got a mind of its own. The buttons either didn't work or did the opposite of what I was pressing. It also was triggering the door locks when just sitting on the counter. Even got a bonus car alarm trigger out of the deal. Took the fob apart and removed the battery, water was coming out of where the buttons are. Letting it dry overnight. So yeah. Avoid this experience. Jeep is locked until morning because I can't risk another middle of the night car alarm trying to get in it...

I recall a member of this forum had his wife put his in the washing machine and it never worked correctly afterwards. Water RESISTANT maybe, but I don’t think it’s meant to be submerged into full water for long periods of time.

Also, I used to leave my FOB in my suv at night when it was in my garage with the proximity. What ended up happening is my suv never fully went into “sleep mode” because the key was still being recognized. Soon later I had a dead battery and the dealer said that was the culprit. Just an FYI with my experience.

 

[smuddy]

waterproof definitely doesn't mean it can last through half a wash cycle in high efficiency washing machine! Ooops!
I put it in rice for a couple of days after opening it and taking the battery out. Then, put in a new battery. Now the only thing it will do is turn the alarm on and off, but when I do, I can't turn it off with the working remote!

Anyone know the best/cheapest way to get it fixed or replaced other than the dealer?

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