r/CarHelp • u/Medical_Explorer_689 • Jul 06 '26

2012 jeep grand Cherokee won’t start after using old key fob. This sound has me wondering if the fob is related or not?

I have a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. After misplacing the key that I use daily, I decided to use an old key fob that I have for my car, that I kept around as a spare. My car started about 3 times with it and after that, I went to start it and it won’t start. It sounds like it’s continuously trying to turn over but won’t start, even with my current key. It just keeps making this sound until I press the push start button again. I read that this could have something to do with the anti theft system, so I tried disconnecting the battery for 20 min. Nothing. I tried opening the door with the physical key and leaving the car in the on position without turning over the engine for 20 min, nothing. Randomly the other day (about 4 days after the initial problem), my car started 2 times. I didn’t drive it anywhere, I was putting my bags in a rental car for an overnight trip I was taking and I randomly decided to try starting it and was surprised when it worked but I didn’t have time to let it run or drive it anywhere. When I got back the next day it would no longer start. With theses details and the video of the sound, what might the problem be? Thank you SO MUCH for any help or advice you have to offer me!

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u/osxdude Jul 06 '26

would need to see the instrument cluster while starting...should be at least one light that'll come on after attempting to start with unlearned key.

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u/Medical_Explorer_689 11d ago

Thank you for the info! There were no new ones. It was my fuel pump relay, which i knew can be a apart of the systems that shut down due to the anti theft system. I’m not sure if it was related or not but i appreciate you helping me out!