Start the Car With a Dead Key Fob Battery

If the remote on your Jeep Cherokee (KL, 2014–2023) has stopped locking the doors and the dash reads “Key Fob Not Detected,” the coin cell in the fob is nearly always the cause. The KL’s Keyless Enter-N-Go system was built for this: the starting function of the fob doesn’t actually need a battery, so a flat fob still gets you in and gets the engine running. Here is the full procedure, then how to fit a fresh cell.

Start the Cherokee with a dead fob battery

A backup antenna behind the start button reads the fob’s passive chip from close range, with no power needed on the fob side:

1. Sit in the driver’s seat, close the door and press the brake pedal firmly.
2. Turn the fob so the nose end — opposite the emergency key blade — faces the dashboard.
3. Hold that nose flat against the ENGINE START/STOP button.
4. With the fob touching the button, push the button through it. The Cherokee reads the chip and cranks.
5. Once running, the fob can go in the cupholder for the rest of the drive.

The owner’s manual lists exactly this step for when the button won’t respond to a low fob battery — there’s no need to remove the button cap.

Unlock the doors with the emergency key

The radio lock/unlock won’t answer a dead fob, so use the hidden blade:

1. Slide the release latch on the fob and pull the emergency key blade free.
2. On the driver’s door handle, lift off the small lock-cylinder cap if fitted.
3. Insert the blade and turn to unlock the door.
4. Slide the blade back into the fob afterward.

Will the alarm sound?

If the security alarm is armed, opening with the blade can set it off. Get in and complete the dead-fob start — recognising a valid key clears the alarm.

Replace the key fob battery

The Cherokee KL fob runs on one CR2032 3-volt coin cell:

1. Remove the emergency blade first; the slot it leaves is the leverage point.
2. Separate the two fob halves with a coin or a small flat screwdriver.
3. Lift out the old CR2032 and fit the replacement positive (+) side the same way up.
4. Press the halves back together, refit the blade, and test from a few steps away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Cherokee really start without a fob battery? Yes. The starting function uses a passive transponder that the car powers; only the remote lock, unlock and remote-start features need the coin cell.

Do I have to keep holding the fob after it starts? No. The read happens once at start; afterward you can put the fob away.

The dash is completely dead — now what? That’s the car’s 12V battery, not the fob. Jump start the Cherokee, then the start button will respond again.

Where is the door keyhole? On the driver’s door handle, often under a small cap that pops off with the emergency blade.

Why is the fob flat after only a year or two? Storing it near the parked car keeps it awake. Keep it away from the vehicle overnight and the CR2032 lasts longer.

If a warning light remained on after the episode, look the code up on our sister site autodtcs.com.