Jeep wouldnt start. Here's the "KEY".
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 351
Likes: 5
From: Newcastle-upon-Tyne,UK
The WCM is sensitive to static discharge. A spark when you insert the key can make it so it will not recognize the key's transponder.
Pulling the IOD (Ignition Off Draw) fuse resets the WCM. Disconnecting the battery negative cable will do the same thing, but pulling the IOD fuse is easier to do.
There was a TSB about this back in 2008. It said to do the IOD fuse disconnect for 10 seconds. If it didn't work, or if it worked and the WCM had an early serial number, the technician was to replace the WCM.
Pulling the IOD (Ignition Off Draw) fuse resets the WCM. Disconnecting the battery negative cable will do the same thing, but pulling the IOD fuse is easier to do.
There was a TSB about this back in 2008. It said to do the IOD fuse disconnect for 10 seconds. If it didn't work, or if it worked and the WCM had an early serial number, the technician was to replace the WCM.
Happened to my CRD 4 yrs back Never since.
Read about the static issue & WCM later on and at that time I was staying in a trailer (as you Americans call them) for a few days which was decked out with hard wearing nylon seating which would generate plenty static.
Ever since I always ground the key to metal before inserting into ignition just in case.
Probably makes no difference but....
JK Freak
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 577
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
Lol crapy explanation sorry can't post any pics right now..
JK Freak
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 775
Likes: 31
From: Colorado
My 2013 Jeep Wrangler with 14,000 miles failed to start yesterday. This is an interesting problem that I've never encountered before. Here's what happened:
I turned the key and there seemed to be a slight hesitation, but the car started and ran for about 4 seconds and then shut off. I did this three more times with the same results. On the fourth try, the engine wouldn't turn over at all. The one light that was on the dash required a look-up in my manual. This turned out to be the "Security" light. It also reminded me of a few years ago when another car I had did the exact same thing, but for a legitimate reason: I had the wrong key in the ignition. It had no electronic chip, and so the car would start, then run a few seconds and die. When I got the correct key, it started and ran fine. So just for the heck of it, I got my spare Jeep key off the wall and tried it. Same thing. Nothing.
I had my Jeep towed to the dealership and the Tech there said he'd come across this issue recently. He simply removed the "IOD" fuse for 15 seconds and then put it back. That solved
the problem. Two days earlier I was in the deep country in snow with no cell-phone service. Can you imagine what might have happened if this issue had popped-up then? Especially the fact that there was an easy fix that I wasn't aware of.
So my car was gone for 24 hours, the tow and "fix" together probably cost Chrysler three or four hundred dollars, and it should have never happened to start with.
What is the theory on why this happened? The Tech thinks that static electricity (It's winter now) somehow zapped the computer into not being able to read the key code, and so shut down the engine.
To me, this is a really serious issue, as these vehicles were MADE to go out where even cell phones fail. This could get someone killed!
Have any of you experienced this yet?
Thanks!
I turned the key and there seemed to be a slight hesitation, but the car started and ran for about 4 seconds and then shut off. I did this three more times with the same results. On the fourth try, the engine wouldn't turn over at all. The one light that was on the dash required a look-up in my manual. This turned out to be the "Security" light. It also reminded me of a few years ago when another car I had did the exact same thing, but for a legitimate reason: I had the wrong key in the ignition. It had no electronic chip, and so the car would start, then run a few seconds and die. When I got the correct key, it started and ran fine. So just for the heck of it, I got my spare Jeep key off the wall and tried it. Same thing. Nothing.
I had my Jeep towed to the dealership and the Tech there said he'd come across this issue recently. He simply removed the "IOD" fuse for 15 seconds and then put it back. That solved
the problem. Two days earlier I was in the deep country in snow with no cell-phone service. Can you imagine what might have happened if this issue had popped-up then? Especially the fact that there was an easy fix that I wasn't aware of.
So my car was gone for 24 hours, the tow and "fix" together probably cost Chrysler three or four hundred dollars, and it should have never happened to start with.
What is the theory on why this happened? The Tech thinks that static electricity (It's winter now) somehow zapped the computer into not being able to read the key code, and so shut down the engine.
To me, this is a really serious issue, as these vehicles were MADE to go out where even cell phones fail. This could get someone killed!
Have any of you experienced this yet?
Thanks!
Super Moderator
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,981
Likes: 79
From: HB, So Cal
It's just the WCM that's the issue. There is a TSB that says something about static electricity but seriously then everyone would have the same issue. Replacing the WCM or sometimes even running the extra ground wire fixes this issue.
Super Moderator
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,981
Likes: 79
From: HB, So Cal
In all seriousness, that does suck though. Hope it doesn't happen again! Haven't had that on either of my Jeeps but every now and then one random thing happens and never happens again... so who knows. Its all computers and they occasionally just need a reboot.
