How to Reset the Anti Theft on a Jeep Cherokee

The Cherokee is among the many Jeep vehicles that offer keyless entry and anti-theft systems. The Jeep's remotes allow you to control your panic alarm, your door locks and your trunk release, and can be programmed completely from your driver's seat. The programming sequence will also allow you to reset the remote systems, and you can have them ready to use in minutes using just the ignition key.

1. Enter your Jeep and press the Lock button on your keyless remote

Enter your Jeep and press the Lock button on your keyless remote five times in 10 seconds.

2. Insert your key into the car's ignition

Insert your key into the car's ignition, turn it to the "Run" position and wait for the car's chimes to stop.

3. Press and hold the "Unlock" button on your remote, and then press and hold the "Panic" button

Press and hold the "Unlock" button on your remote, and then press and hold the "Panic" button while still holding "Unlock." Hold both buttons together for one second and release.

4. Wait for a chime to sound and press and release the "Lock" and "Unlock" buttons

Wait for a chime to sound and press and release the "Lock" and "Unlock" buttons on your remote.

5. Press and release the "Lock" button by itself and wait for the car's chimes to sound again

Press and release the "Lock" button by itself and wait for the car's chimes to sound again to indicate successful resetting. Remove the key from the ignition when you are done to finish the procedure.

Video: How to reset your anti-theft device on a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Helpful comments on this video:

• If you're having issues with the key symbol, causing the car to stop running, crack that Key Immobilizer Module open; it's within your steering column. There are two large solder points to the board inside that connect the wire that runs through the key hoop. If you get a magnifying glass and take a close look, you'll see a hairline crack at the solder points. Simply solder them again, and problem solved. You might also consider taking a dremel and cutting away the side of the steering column boss where the single screw goes that holds the column cover to your steering column. For that thing impacts the module every time you tilt your steering wheel; thus, the cracks. And if your Cherokee is breaking blend doors, you have to turn the key on, disconnect the battery, further attach the battery to reset the computer that adjust the travel settings. Otherwise, you'll keep breaking them...
• Had to swap out the ignition key lock for an aftermarket unit. Different key without a chip so came up against the anti-theft feature. Got around that by holding key with chip against the ring surrounding the silver ignition key lock to start ip up. Starts right up after the key symbol goes away. Problem was that I had triggered the anti-theft system so no radio volume, door lock switches didn't work, and constant dinging whenever door was opened with key in or not. Did what Robert suggested in a roundabout way -- drove it three times. On the fourth trip the dinging was gone and the other electronics worked again. So, there's another option you might try.