These instructions apply to the Jeep Grand Cherokee Mk5 (WL) 2022-Present.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
The fifth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee (WL, 2022–present) — including the two-row WL, the three-row Grand Cherokee L, and the plug-in-hybrid 4xe — ships with a single style of key: a modern Stellantis proximity (passive-entry) smart fob with a hidden mechanical emergency blade. There is no fold-out flip key on this generation; every WL uses the keyless fob that lets you unlock and push-button start without taking it out of your pocket. When the range collapses, the buttons go intermittent, or the cluster warns the key is weak, the coin cell inside is almost always the culprit. Here is exactly how to open the WL fob, the cell it takes, the correct polarity, and how to start the Jeep even if the battery is stone dead.
How to Tell the Fob Battery Is Dying
- Shrinking range. You have to be right next to the Grand Cherokee — or press the fob against the door handle — before it locks or unlocks. This is the first and most reliable sign.
- Passive entry stops working. The door no longer unlocks when you grab the handle with the fob in your pocket, and you find yourself pressing the button instead.
- A cluster warning. The WL’s driver display shows a Key Fob Battery Low message when the cell is getting weak — treat it as a heads-up, not an emergency.
- “Key Fob Not Detected.” If the Jeep can’t see the fob to start, a near-flat cell is a common cause — though on early WLs this message has also been linked to remote-start and antenna quirks, so try a fresh cell first.
- Cold-weather dropouts. A cell that’s fine at noon but fails on a frosty morning is on its way out; lithium coin cells lose voltage in the cold.
A coin cell in a WL fob typically lasts two to three years. If yours is around that age and showing any of the above, fit a fresh cell before you suspect the receiver, antenna, or immobiliser.
The Battery You Need
The Grand Cherokee WL proximity fob takes a single CR2032 3-volt lithium coin cell — the same cell across the WL, Grand Cherokee L, and 4xe. It’s the most common fob battery made, sold in any supermarket, hardware shop, or petrol station. Buy a good-quality branded cell: cheap coin cells sag under the brief high current the transmitter draws and can give poor range even straight out of the packet. Avoid rechargeable coin cells — they read below 3 volts and the fob may not wake reliably.
How to Open the Fob and Change the Cell
- Release the emergency key blade first. Slide the small mechanical latch at the top of the fob sideways with your thumb and pull the metal emergency key straight out with your other hand. On the WL the blade must come out before the case will separate cleanly.
- Find the pry slot. With the blade removed you’ll see a slot in the top of the fob where it sat. Insert the tip of the emergency key itself, or a small flat-blade (№2) screwdriver, into that slot.
- Split the two halves. Gently twist to pop the seam and separate the front and back of the case. It parts with a light click — you don’t need force, and forcing it risks snapping the plastic tabs.
- Swap the cell. Note which way the old CR2032 sits, then lift it out. On the WL fob the new cell seats positive (+) side facing up — the flat, printed face toward the front (button) half of the case. Try not to touch the flat contact faces or the circuit board with bare fingers.
- Close it up. Line the two halves and press them together until the seam clicks shut all the way round, then slide the emergency key blade back in until it latches. Test every button.
⚠️ Get the polarity right. A CR2032 fitted upside down won’t power the fob and, left in place, can slowly discharge against the contacts. If you’re unsure which way is up, copy the exact orientation of the cell you removed — that’s always correct for your fob.
Make Sure It Took
Step back several metres and lock, then unlock, the Grand Cherokee with the buttons; full range should return at once. Walk up with the fob in your pocket and pull a door handle to confirm passive entry works again. Any Key Fob Battery Low message clears once the car reads a healthy fob — sometimes instantly, sometimes after a short drive.
If a Fresh Cell Doesn’t Fix It
- Re-check polarity and seating. The single most common mistake is an upside-down or loosely seated cell. It must sit flat under its clip against clean contacts.
- Wipe the contacts. Finger grease or light corrosion on the terminals is enough to cause dropouts; wipe them with a clean, dry cloth.
- Suspect a sync issue. If the fob went dead suddenly right after a remote-start attempt or a 12 V battery event — a known early-WL quirk — disconnecting and reconnecting the vehicle battery has reset the keyless system for some owners.
- Rule out the 12 V battery. A weak vehicle battery can mimic key faults; if the Jeep is slow to wake or the electronics act up, have the main battery load-tested.
Can I Start the Jeep With a Completely Dead Fob?
Yes — the WL is designed for it. Use the emergency blade hidden in the fob to unlock the driver’s door (the lock cylinder is behind a small cover on the door handle). To start with a flat fob battery, press the brake and hold the fob flat against the ENGINE START/STOP button, then press the button with the fob. The transponder chip inside needs no battery — it draws power from the antenna in the button at close range — so a dead cell won’t strand you. The same trick starts the 4xe.
New Key or Spare — Why It’s a Dealer Job
Changing the cell keeps the fob’s existing coding, so nothing needs reprogramming afterwards. Adding a new fob is a different matter: the WL’s Stellantis security system pairs each fob to the car electronically, and a blank proximity key has to be cut to the emergency-blade code and programmed against the vehicle’s VIN with a dealer-level tool. That makes a spare or a lost-key replacement a job for a Jeep dealer or a properly equipped auto-locksmith — so keep the battery in your spare fresh too, and you’re never down to one working key.
Frequently Asked Questions
What battery does a Jeep Grand Cherokee WL key fob take?
One CR2032 3-volt lithium coin cell. It’s the same battery for the standard WL, the Grand Cherokee L, and the 4xe plug-in hybrid.
Which way up does the battery go?
Positive (+) side up — the flat, printed face toward the button half of the case. If in doubt, match the orientation of the cell you took out.
Do I have to remove the emergency key before opening the fob?
Yes. Slide the latch and pull the metal blade out first; the pry slot it leaves is where you separate the two halves. Trying to prise the case without removing the blade risks cracking the plastic.
Do I need to reprogram the fob after a battery change?
No. A battery swap doesn’t touch the coding, so the fob works straight away. Only a brand-new key needs programming to the car.
How long should a Grand Cherokee key battery last?
Usually two to three years. Leaving the fob sitting close to the car, where the passive-entry system keeps waking it, shortens that.
Can I still drive if the fob battery dies while I’m out?
Yes. Unlock the door with the emergency blade, then hold the fob against the START/STOP button and press it to start. The chip inside works without battery power at close range.
If the Grand Cherokee logged a keyless-system or immobiliser fault around the time the fob started playing up — rather than the range simply fading — the cause is more likely the pairing or a module than the coin cell. You can look up what a stored code means on autodtcs.com.
Independent guide — not affiliated with Jeep. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.