Replacing a Wrangler fob

[JeepGeezer]

One of the local locksmiths that said that he could program the fob for our 2022 Wrangler just came out, gave me the fob and then told me that he did not have the equipment to program the newer Jeeps, but arranged for someone else to come and do the programming and key cutting.

When I looked at the new fob (which is a refurbished Jeep fob) it listed the frequency as 433 MHz which made me wonder if there are multiple frequencies for the 2022 Jeep Wranglers or if there is only one. If there are multiple fobs then it may be that this fob is the wrong frequency, and so useless to me. Anyone know what frequencies the 2022 Wranglers use for their fobs?

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[JeepGeezer]

Never mind.

I was able to verify that there is only one frequency used for the 2022 Jeep Wranglers for their fobs.

 

[saido]

Didn't realize this was a difficult process. I purchased my 2018 used and only had one key. So I called a local locksmith. He came out to me, provided another key (identical to my OEM), cut the key and programmed it in under 15 minutes. It was actually scary how he did it, considering I leave my top off every where I go. It only cost me $225.

 

[JeepGeezer]

Didn't realize this was a difficult process. I purchased my 2018 used and only had one key. So I called a local locksmith. He came out to me, provided another key (identical to my OEM), cut the key and programmed it in under 15 minutes. It was actually scary how he did it, considering I leave my top off every where I go. It only cost me $225.

To paraphrase Bob Dylan, the times, they hav a-changed.

So far I have bought a refurbished Jeep fob for $60 and had one locksmith come out to re-program the Jeep who told me he could not do it because he did not have the right programming tool. Had another locksmith come out who spent 2 1/2 hours only to tell me he could not do it because he (also) did not have the proper programming tool. And have another scheduled to come out and try later today. He said he does have the right programming tool, but we will see.

I have also contacted one dealer who told me to leave the Jeep for the day and they would do it, and another dealer who told me to leave the Jeep for half a day and they would do it. Since we only have one car and don't particularly want to sit in a waiting room for 4 or 6 or 8 hours waiting to have the reprogramming done I am getting a bit annoyed at the trouble.

 

[REWJeep]

In September, 2022 i arrived at my dealer's parts department on a Saturday morning at 7:00 am. By about 7:45 I had two new key fobs for $508.78. They were code-cut in-house based upon the VIN. I then drove around the corner to the service department and my Jeep was paired with the new keys by 9:30 am for another $228.14.

The most painful part of this whole process was that Family Guy was playing on the TV in the service department's waiting room.

 

[REGGAVEGGA]

Try Ace hardware see if they can do it..

 

[JeepGeezer]

Try Ace hardware see if they can do it..

That was one of the first things I did as I remembered seeing that they sold fobs when I was last in their store.. They do sell the fobs, but they don't cut the keys or programming the cars. And their price is about the same as the dealer.

 

[JeepGeezer]

In September, 2022 i arrived at my dealer's parts department on a Saturday morning at 7:00 am. By about 7:45 I had two new key fobs for $508.78. They were code-cut in-house based upon the VIN. I then drove around the corner to the service department and my Jeep was paired with the new keys by 9:30 am for another $228.14.

The most painful part of this whole process was that Family Guy was playing on the TV in the service department's waiting room.

Yeah. Like with most things, if you find someone who has the knowledge and the time you can get stuff done.

I have now had 3 or 4 locksmiths come out to try to fix this problem. The first one picked up a genuine Jeep fob (at least it has the Jeep logo on it and looks and feels like the genuine thing) that was refurbished and only charged me $60 for it.

He could not program the car or cut the key, but one of the others could cut the key. Since he could not program the car he did not charge me for the trip, and the last locksmith that came out seemed to know what he was doing. He erased the old settings and programmed the Jeep for both keys, and charged me $150 for the work, which only took him about 5-10 minutes. In any case both fobs are now working and hopefully the old fob will no longer work, and I ended up paying $210 for all of the work.

The new Jeep fobs from the dealer are about $300 but the dealer only wanted $85 to program both fobs, but could not take me until next week and wanted me to spend at least 4 hours waiting for the work to be done, so spending the extra money to get it done quickly at my house seemed worth the extra cost.

Of course my wife's purse also contained our house keys so I also had to have all of the locks at the house rekeyed, and that was a lot more.

 

[Snazzberry80th]

Yeah. Like with most things, if you find someone who has the knowledge and the time you can get stuff done.

I have now had 3 or 4 locksmiths come out to try to fix this problem. The first one picked up a genuine Jeep fob (at least it has the Jeep logo on it and looks and feels like the genuine thing) that was refurbished and only charged me $60 for it.

He could not program the car or cut the key, but one of the others could cut the key. Since he could not program the car he did not charge me for the trip, and the last locksmith that came out seemed to know what he was doing. He erased the old settings and programmed the Jeep for both keys, and charged me $150 for the work, which only took him about 5-10 minutes. In any case both fobs are now working and hopefully the old fob will no longer work, and I ended up paying $210 for all of the work.

The new Jeep fobs from the dealer are about $300 but the dealer only wanted $85 to program both fobs, but could not take me until next week and wanted me to spend at least 4 hours waiting for the work to be done, so spending the extra money to get it done quickly at my house seemed worth the extra cost.

Of course my wife's purse also contained our house keys so I also had to have all of the locks at the house rekeyed, and that was a lot more.

So I too recently lost my keys and I visited Rockland Jeep in Nanuet NY about ordering a new key fob. The parts department quoted me a new key fob, cut by Chrysler for roughly $200 plus tax. I was then quoted an additional $390 plus tax by the service department for programming. I can’t believe it cost almost $650 for a new key. There has got to be a cheaper option. Any recommendations?

 

[2nd 392]

So I too recently lost my keys and I visited Rockland Jeep in Nanuet NY about ordering a new key fob. The parts department quoted me a new key fob, cut by Chrysler for roughly $200 plus tax. I was then quoted an additional $390 plus tax by the service department for programming. I can’t believe it cost almost $650 for a new key. There has got to be a cheaper option. Any recommendations?

Only for the future, find a good writer and buddy up, use only him even for appointments. GC fob lost “programming is expensive, I work Saturday, no big shots, I’ll take care of it”. Recently, got a new ECM, brought in a No Limitz JL and had it installed with the ECM programming. No charge, even for the No Limitz, billed “Internal”….. he checked it and previously the Pedal Monster for codes or footprints in case they had to be unplugged for warranty work purposes , “If you want a tune, get another ECM and I will swap the stock one back for warranty repair”
I always give him great reviews by name on the post service satisfaction e-mail. Coincidental ?

 

[Snazzberry80th]

Only for the future, find a good writer and buddy up, use only him even for appointments. GC fob lost “programming is expensive, I work Saturday, no big shots, I’ll take care of it”. Recently, got a new ECM, brought in a No Limitz JL and had it installed with the ECM programming. No charge, even for the No Limitz, billed “Internal”….. he checked it and previously the Pedal Monster for codes or footprints in case they had to be unplugged for warranty work purposes , “If you want a tune, get another ECM and I will swap the stock one back for warranty repair”
I always give him great reviews by name on the post service satisfaction e-mail. Coincidental ?

If I’m being honest, I have no idea what you’re talking about or recommending.

 

[2nd 392]

If I’m being honest, I have no idea what you’re talking about or recommending.

If a service writer becomes a “buddy” he will take care of you when possible. As the mentioned examples. NC service when possible, even taking care of possible warranty issue aftermarket upgrades. He knows me by my Jeep and phone number, makes appointments asap when the tech he wants to work on it is available…. Positive reviews are deservedly so.

edit- when my GC’s battery took a dump and it barely started when I was running an errand at 4:45PM, I called and he had a battery and tech waiting after hours when I got there, I didn’t dare shut it off. Heck- he recommended the Pedal Monster that many and even Banks say to remove for dealer visits, then checked to see if it needed to be unplugged.

 

[Bluto]

I was in a Costco last week and they had one of those flash sale kiosks that had car fobs. They quoted me 300 for a 2024 fob and would have it in 15 minutes. I passed at the time and when I was leaving I saw they had a van outside with someone working inside. I’m guessing cutting/programming keys. Costco always has some interesting stuff but that was a first for me. May be worth checking out your local Costco and if they don’t have the kiosk maybe they can point out the company that does it for them.

 

[LAM]

Definitely a confusing subject. It seems like over the last 4-6 yeas the key programing has gotten more complicated - likely for security reasons. For older models OBD programs like Jscan seem able to do it.

I only have one fob, and, not the highest priority, but I am about ready to buy a $50 Amazon fob then look around for someone to cut and program the key. I’ll keep my eyes open at Costco but I’ve never noticed a locksmith kiosk that i can remember.

For stolen key issues you would need to change both the physical and wireless locks - most likely an exorbitant overkill since thieves can scan your wireless signals or just break a widow.

 

[MeefZah]

If it helps - for just the key alone, it is a model SIP22 "laser cut" key. I had a local locksmith cut just the key on a blank he had in stock for $50. He copied my existing key but he also read the code of the key and gave it to me so I could have other keys cut in the future using just that code without presenting a key to copy.

I didn't need new fob guts or fob programming so I can't speak to that, but since a few people mentioned the key... here you go.

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