March 20, 2005

Curious George- Jeep Clicker Can I myself replace the battery in a clicker for a Jeep ?

I did not buy the Jeep from a dealer, so I am not sure how much a dealer would charge me to replace the clicker or the clicker battery (clicker= lock/unlock keychain remote). I have a 1998 Cherokee, and both clickers are nonfunctional. Can I pop them open myself and replace a battery, or do I really need to go through a dealer?

posted by oflinkey 19 years ago
  • there's a chain in my area (battery specialists) that will do this for you, so you definitely don't have to go through the dealer. I can't recall what they charged, though I think it was around $15 us. If you can identify the battery type and get a new replacement, I don't see why you can't do it yourself.
  • I don't have any experience (my vehicle has manual locks!) but there are a lot of posts on newgroups about making it work after changing the battery. If there's a screw on it, open 'er up!
  • Hey, don't ask me, but if you've got a Jeep to give away I sure as hell have a clicker i'll give you for it. Oh, I see, you mean replace the _Jeep's_ clicker...
  • The alternative is to take out the chip that makes the clickers necessary. You'd have to actually unlock your door, but starting up is quicker - takes just you and the key.
  • Why not try a jeweller's, since they have the tools to take the clicker apart and (probably) the range of batteries that will fit. I usually get my watch battery replaced for around $5. Some locksmiths do it also.
  • The Toyota ones are real easy to do and the instructions are in the manual. Just pop the case apart with a coin and change the battery. They use a CR2032 coin cell which you can get just about anywhere that sells batteries. Does Jeep do something wierd with theirs?
  • Thank you all...ShawnD, patita, and tracicle, it seems you have the answer. I will try your suggestions on one and see what happens...I always have the other one to experiment on. path, there is no chip, it is too primitive for that. This is sheer lazy "unlock the doors remotely for me". calimehtar, :PPPPP
  • oflinkey: they activate the unlocker by putting in what's called a "chip." If you have it removed, as I did from a '93 Pontiac, you go back to even more primitive access methods.
  • When I bought my new (used) car, the dealer guy told me that I should always try a new battery in the remote before replacing it. Apparently, the battery is cheap, but the remote is not? So, yeah, you can replace the battery.
  • tracicle's suggestion is correct. A jeweler will almost certainly have the battery you want and will install it cheaply enough. DO NOT let those idiots at Wal-Mart touch it. I can't tell you how many customers I used to have who saw $3 Wal-Mart battery changes turn into $60 watch movement repairs. They can fry a circuit board faster than you can say Jack Robinson.