Replacing a Wrangler fob

[JZK]

I went through this a few months ago (OK, maybe it was last year).

I ordered a key FOB from the dealer. Due to the VIN, the key came pre-cut. They were not able to get the FOB programmed. Claimed the new FOB was defective and ordered a new one. New one came in the they were able to program it. Note both orders took 6-8 weeks each.

In the meantime, I ordered a fob from https://www.carandtruckremotes.com/ . Came in nice and timely. Key was not cut as expected but I wanted more just the FOB anyway. Tried a number of places to get it programmed with no success. Finally found a place in Lincoln Nebraska (Husker Lock and Key) that actually knew what they were doing and were able to program the Car and Trucks remote plus the one from the dealer that they said was defective. Husker Lock and Key highly recommended.

I now have 5 key fobs. Two originals. Two from the dealer with cut key of which one was purchased. One from Car/Truck remote without cut key. All FOBs working. I only wanted one extra.

I don’t recall all the pricing so don’t quote me. Dealer FOB on the order of just below $200. Car/Truck: $50. Programming: $80 2 FOBs.

Note that Husker Lock connected to the Rubi behind the glove compartment. They did not use the OBD connected like everyone else tried.

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[Rhinebeck01]

@JeepGeezer

By the way....

Key fobs are considered personal property and they aren't typically covered by your auto insurance in regard to loss or theft.

BUT........ If a key fob is stolen.... personal property coverage under homeowners or renter's insurance will cover them. Yes, a deductible will apply.

But.... since replacement of a key fob today can be quite expensive... say, $200-400, a guy or gal should check with their homeowners or renters insurance carrier before paying out of pocket the $200-400 for fob replacement.

 

[JeepGeezer]

Well, a way to go for you would be to buy an OEM remote start kit for JL.

The OEM remote start kit, comes with 2 new factory key fobs and all else needed for your JL.
Comes with 2 cut keys..

The cost of the remote start kit is approx. $325 (depends where you buy the OEM kit) and install of kit is an hrs. labor at the dealership.

You can also have your single, 3 button fob left in the mix so you have it to use.... no, that fob will not have the remote start button but will still work.

Anyway, for close to the same amount of $ you will be paying to get 2 working / reprogrammed 3 button fobs again, you can get remote start with it's 2 fobs and end up with a 3rd fob.

Yes, I know a couple of people that did this. They figured the $ difference in the end to have remote start was worth it. Lots depends on if you would like to have remote start...

Where do you get this remote start kit? The dealer made no mention of it and only talked about buying a new fob for $300. 2 fobs for $325 seems like a bargain comparatively speaking.

 

[Rhinebeck01]

Where do you get this remote start kit? The dealer made no mention of it and only talked about buying a new fob for $300. 2 fobs for $325 seems like a bargain comparatively speaking.

It's an OEM / Mopar Remote Start Kit. Shop around for best price. Comes with 2 fobs with keys cut based on your vehicle's Vin#. You buy the kit and most dealerships charge an hour labor to install..

Here is a link to one vendor selling the kit. Again, shop around for better/best price.
https://store.mopar.com/oem-parts/mopar-remote-start-kit-82216342ab

 

[JeepGeezer]

@JeepGeezer

By the way....

Key fobs are considered personal property and they aren't typically covered by your auto insurance in regard to loss or theft.

BUT........ If a key fob is stolen.... personal property coverage under homeowners or renter's insurance will cover them. Yes, a deductible will apply.

But.... since replacement of a key fob today can be quite expensive... say, $200-400, a guy or gal should check with their homeowners or renters insurance carrier before paying out of pocket the $200-400 for fob replacement.

Checked on that yesterday, but it turns out that the deductible on my policy is $1000 and I was told that if I made a claim there would be an increase in my policy premium. Given that the cost of all of this (rekeying all of the locks in the house and replacing the fob is less than that I am assuming I will have to eat the cost.

 

[JeepGeezer]

So far this has been a real pain.

I checked with local locksmiths and most of them either can not do all of the work (some can cut the key but not program, some can program but not cut the key, and some can do neither), or want to charge the same amount as the dealer. Spoke with one this morning and he could do all of it, but wanted $370, which is exactly the same as the dealer ($280 + $90 for key and programming).

I can order the key from Amazon for $50 but none of the locksmiths seem to want to do what they can if they don't provide the key (and make the money on the price of the key).

 

[nositting]

if buying a mopar product, you may want to check with benny. benny is a mopar vendor often on this site and i believe sometimes can offer forum members a discount. i’m not sure of a specific email but a search would bring up his contact. worth inquiring.

 

[autotragic]

So far this has been a real pain.

I checked with local locksmiths and most of them either can not do all of the work (some can cut the key but not program, some can program but not cut the key, and some can do neither), or want to charge the same amount as the dealer. Spoke with one this morning and he could do all of it, but wanted $370, which is exactly the same as the dealer ($280 + $90 for key and programming).

I can order the key from Amazon for $50 but none of the locksmiths seem to want to do what they can if they don't provide the key (and make the money on the price of the key).

A consequence of overly complicated key fobs and keys. Everybody was happy with a little fob with the key separate and then everybody decided they wanted to be all posh and look what we ended up with.

 

[JeepGeezer]

A consequence of overly complicated key fobs and keys. Everybody was happy with a little fob with the key separate and then everybody decided they wanted to be all posh and look what we ended up with.

Yes, but that seems to be the way things work here. Find something good, improve it until it is very good, and then continue to "improve" it until it becomes a pain.

At least they have not done too much to the Wrangler and in most respects it is still a very good off-road and utility vehicle.

 

[autotragic]

Yes, but that seems to be the way things work here. Find something good, improve it until it is very good, and then continue to "improve" it until it becomes a pain.

At least they have not done too much to the Wrangler and in most respects it is still a very good off-road and utility vehicle.

No doubt but not for lack of trying.
I think the JK fob was peak fob. A normal integrated key with your fob at the top. They should have kept that exact same design for the JL.

 

[Petvet92]

As long as you have one you can take pics of,
https://tomskey.com/
fob, cut and programmer for a fraction of dealer. used for my JKU, worked great and also was able to reprogram an older fob that stopped working

 

[morph860]

If going with the remote start kit option with 2 new keys, do the 2 old keys still work? Any way to "disable" the old keys? Whoever stole the wallet has the key and most likely the home address too.

 

[JeepGeezer]

As long as you have one you can take pics of,
https://tomskey.com/
fob, cut and programmer for a fraction of dealer. used for my JKU, worked great and also was able to reprogram an older fob that stopped working

Their website says that they only have fobs for Wranglers up to 2019 and this Jeep is 2022. Seems odd that they only have fobs for older models, but perhaps Chrysler-Fiat stopped making the information or the keys available.

 

[Petvet92]

Their website says that they only have fobs for Wranglers up to 2019 and this Jeep is 2022. Seems odd that they only have fobs for older models, but perhaps Chrysler-Fiat stopped making the information or the keys available.

Well crap. Sorry I didn’t notice that.

 

[JeepGeezer]

Well crap. Sorry I didn’t notice that.

They directed me to a different website that does carry the 2022 fobs, but that website was exactly the same price as the dealer, so no discount.

I may have to end up going to the dealer and just swallowing the high price but this morning I have an appointment with one locksmith who said that he could do the key and the programming, but not the key cutting. Since the key cutting only gives me a key to open the door if the car battery is dead I will let him try and then go to one of the places that does key cutting and see if they can do that. Otherwise it is back to the dealer.

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