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[Widjeeper62]

Hi guys,

An old mate of mine called me earlier to tell me that he cannot use the keyfob to unlock the central locking of his 1998 XJ anymore despite that that he recently replaced the battery. He then said that once he opened the door with the key and put the key in the ignition everything is completely dead as if the battery was disconnected. He told me that he checked the battery and it is still good so I take it this is an issue with the immobiliser.
I read few posts about this issue on XJ forums but I haven't found a solution to the problem yet.

Has this problem happened to any of you Birties?

 Is there a way round this as his Jeep is not worth much so I don't think he fancies taking it on the back of a trailor to the Jeep Dealer.

[gazjeep]

Which fob has he got ?

One like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-CHRYSLER-CHEROKEE-DODGE-JEEP-ETC-2-BUTTON-REMOTE-ALARM-FLIP-KEY-FOB-/132022798701?hash=item1ebd2c096d:g:6awAAOSwZQxW5JRK

Think this is the old May & Scofield type imobiliser that was fitted at the point of entry to the UK.

Been so long since I had my XJ I cant remember 100%

The knowledgable ones & google will be able to sus it I'm sure

[JamesH]

1998 should have the round grey key with SKIS immobiliser but they can vary between models sometimes. If it is the immobiliser then everything on the dash should light up as usual and it should even fire up then kill itself after 3 secs. If it turns over but won't fire then it may be a crank sensor or cam sensor fault. Scanning for fault codes is a good idea and only needs a basic scanner and not a dealer.

Immobiliser and ECU are often blamed but lots of the time it is a sensor that has gone, quite often the crank sensor.

[Widjeeper62]

Thanks Gents I will carry out a scan in the morning and I will keep you posted!

[Jonny Jeep]

Completely dead might also be a broken ignition switch actuator pin. Removing the ignition switch lets you see the end that breaks, and the ignition switch can also be turned with a screwdriver to test it whilst it's off. The ignition switch is held on by a security torx T10 I think but the pin can be knocked out and a normal torx driver used.

[Widjeeper62]

I went to see the old boy this morning and at my surprise he said that he put his battery to recharge overnight despite that he told me on the phone yesterday he tested it and it was ok. 

So I reconnected his battery and Alleluia the engine started as if it was a Miracle ! Lucky he is 75 ! 

Sorry about this ! 

[gazjeep]

Its sorted so that's he best result 

You never know, if the battery was disconnected to charge it, that could also have reset stuff that wasn't quite as it should be & needed the old disconnect the battery trick anyway 

[Widjeeper62]

Thanks Gaz , who knows ?   

[Jonny Jeep]

Free fixes are best. Nice to know it was something simple.