Key FOB split open and lost chip?

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1256day

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Location
chino Hills CA
I was working on my new to us 2005 TJ. I was finishing up and went to start the jeep and noticed that the Key FOB was split open. I didn't even know they split open. Looking inside I didn't see any chip or anything. This is my 3rd 99-05 jeep and they all have the same looking key. So I just grabbed the spare Amazon key and nothing. I called the previous owner and they didn't know anything about the spare key or programing it and they can't recall if they even used it?
Ugh!

My other 2 Jeeps were WJ's and what was mentioned on WJ forums about this subject is I'm screwed.

Any Ideas?

Thanks
G
 
1256day said:
I was working on my new to us 2005 TJ. I was finishing up and went to start the jeep and noticed that the Key FOB was split open. I didn't even know they split open.
Click to expand...

Do you have a picture of said fob? My factory immobilizer or SKIM uses a grey chipped key not a fob.
MOPAR:
20231118_184914.jpg
Ilco aftermarket:
20231118_185029.jpg
 
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It is like the top grey key. Same with my 2 WJ's. I snapped my TJ's grey immobilizer back together and you couldn't even tell it would split open. I can get a key, but I don't have anything they can program from.
 
Here’s a picture of my Fob. It was a dealer add on. Mine is falling apart too and I only have one. I plan on removing the whole system because I can’t find a replacement.

IMG_2069.jpeg


IMG_2070.jpeg
 
Look for the FCC ID on the remote, then search the net for that number. There’s likely a replacement remote available.
 
Hey, Thank You everybody for all the reply's. I sure hope there isn't any SKIM. I found another Key underneath in a magnetic case. I couldn't believe it. The 1 on the left is how I found it on the ground. I assumed it had a SKIM chip in it. The 1 in the middle is the spare key the previous owner gave me with the Jeep. The 1 on the right is the 1 I found in the little magnetic key case. attached underneath. It didn't work either. Last 2 pics are of TJ and 1 of my WJ's.

You know this is leading me to believe there might be a different issue.

1. I assumed there was a skim chip in the original key. With my WJ's the WJ forums were always talking about this.

2. The previous owners are friends of the family and were 90 years old. The Husband was a Electrical Eng. I have to admit it is a beautiful Mall Crawler. It's period correct vintage 80's everything.

3. it developed (IMHO) a power drain. if its not hooked up to battery tender it'll go dead.

4. D/S retractable slider isn't working properly. Doesn't retact

5. 1 of the 2 added on kill switch's doesn't feel like its working correctly. real mushy feel.

I started working on the slider when this issue came up, I finished removing the slider today and found the little key box.

I'm gonna buy a new battery, Call up the local jeep shop and see what they can do?

Keep the anwers comming

Thanks G

all 3 jeep keys.jpg


all 3 jeep keys.jpg


TJ.jpg


jeep.jpg
 
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L J said:
Do you have a picture of said fob? My factory immobilizer or SKIM uses a grey chipped key not a fob.
MOPAR:
View attachment 475263
Ilco aftermarket:
View attachment 475264
Click to expand...

I included a picture of the key and how I found it on the ground "Open". No chip of SKIM anywhere to be found. Since yesterday, I found a "Jeep Key in a magnetic case attached to the retractable slider that I was working on. The jeep still wont turn over or start. everything else works.
 
1256day said:
I sure hope not. I just assumed it had a Chip. On the WJ forums they are always talking about "Don't Loose the Key" etc etc.
Click to expand...

Grey keys are SKIM keys with the chip embedded inside. Black keys do not have a chip. Your grey key is not a factory key. Factory keys do not split open. They are molded over the brass key. Your Jeep does not have SKIM.
 
If it will not even crank, it most likely is not the key itself. It might be the ignition actuator.

When you try to start it and you move the key past "on", how much further can you turn the key? Just a bit? Compare the movement to your WJ.

Also, if the spare hidden key was not a SKIM key, it would be worthless to the driver if it was needed. Therefore I think that you do not have SKIM.

The only other thought then is, maybe the chip was removed from the key and taped in place near the ignition switch. So that the jeep woukd always sense it. Then a non-SKIM spare would work.
 
OldBuzzard said:
I believe a SKIM system will let the Jeep crank, and even start, and then will kill it after 2 seconds. Or something like that.
Click to expand...

Correct. There will also be a flashing light on the gauge cluster in the upper left corner. It will flash if the engine is started without a SKIM key. Then the engine shuts off seconds later. Do this too many times and the PCM will lock up and a dealer needs to unlock it.
Screenshot_20231119_162311_Google.jpg
 
dbbd1 said:
If it will not even crank, it most likely is not the key itself. It might be the ignition actuator.
Click to expand...

Or that dealer installed system not only has electric door locks but an ignition kill, the same as most aftermarket alarm systems. The FCC code on the fob may provide information on what type of system it is.
 
dbbd1 said:
Yes. Looks like I just beat you to it by a bit.
Click to expand...

I remember reading about that in the WJ forums. The electrical turns on. the Starter doesn'
OldBuzzard said:
I believe a SKIM system will let the Jeep crank, and even start, and then will kill it after 2 seconds. Or something like that.
Click to expand...

I remember I read something about that on the WJ forum.
jjvw said:
Correct. There will also be a flashing light on the gauge cluster in the upper left corner. It will flash if the engine is started without a SKIM key. Then the engine shuts off seconds later. Do this too many times and the PCM will lock up and a dealer needs to unlock it.
View attachment 475456
Click to expand...

There is no little light. Hmmmm. Thanks for the info.
t turn over.
 
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