My 97 Jeep Gnd Cher 5,2 is periodically acting as the battery is dead (lights go out ,engine wont turnover,wireless entry fob dont work) and a clicking noise starts i n the pass side fuse box and with

thats how key entry works as to fob -dead battery--failure

is it freezing there? (ice happens)
car drives perfectly day and night? (tells me battery not dead or weak)

does outside metal key work, does inside lock lever work?
if not its frozen inside.
ill assume the 2 mech, ways work and solenoid is dead.
get car serviced?
do you have tools, and skills?
yes/no?

this, its a solenoid. seen below. inside the door.
5003 378AA - 97 keyless entry (electronics,only for 1997)
ZJ jeep
The FOB battery weak can cause this, try both fobs yet.
one door RKE receiver (hidden below) can be weaker or stronger.
and may fail if the RKE (fob) is weak. Rem.key entry=RKE
so a new battery in the fob is a now thing.
22year old FBO battery? hopeless if ever.
ok if the manual doors work ok and only a good fob fails (both)
(car came with 2 so...)
then the problems is below.
here is an example of how complex it can be. and real solutions.
93-97 location. reciever.
Just pry up the defroster grille panel and it will be on the passenger side, held in by 2 screws.
scan the PCM first. looking for RKE errors, BCM errors>?
if 12vdc does not reach the solenoid,
then the Door controller failed or the BCm fail to sen the command or the remote receiver (entry) module never sent it.
my guess is the RER is ok, as it opened other doors.
so that leaves, BCM mess up. or soldenoid bad.



here is the receiver. that is failing, if 2 fresh fobs fail.
fresh batteries.
some green PCB below are in overhead lamp module
others are in door, (sun roof?)

i think this is 1999.


this found on some 97s. RER
remote entry receiver. module.

what dont work?
the door alarms?
or car wont start? or dies in 3 seconds.
or radio/nav dead?

thee are 3 or 4 things, all called antithieft.

the FOB battery only effects door locks and not RF ID side.

Take the fob off the key ring and leave at home. Does it still do funky things? If not - it is the fob and first vote is to replace the battery inside - typically a lithium cell. Or the fob itself. If still acting up with the fob away, pull the fuse for the keyless entry, count to 30 and put back. Another less likely cause is the relay - under the hood - marked Keyless entry. If you need to replace the fob, there are instructions for Nissan on numerous sites including below, I have replaced a 2003 and reprogrammed the car to recognize. 2006 Nissan Altima Keyless Entry Remote Programming Instructions...

Immobiliser fob battery dead? Battery flat? Corroded battery or earth terminals? Dead starter motor or relay? Engine seized (will it bump start if manual?)?

You need to describe what happens when you turn the key.

I do not know if this is the problem but in my 97 Cher. Classic there was a fuse for the AC behind the glove box. Jeep must had a brain fart on that day. You have to take the box out to get at it. Good Luck ED

it's possible the battery clip has "Fractured" from the connection to the PC board in the fob. find an Electronics tech and have him check it out. a simple resolder may cure the problem at a cost FAR LESS than the cost of a new FOB

Check the connections at the battery. Be sure they're clean and tight.

I HAD the same problem with 95 Cherokee for over a month, Turned out all I needed to do was Clean Battery Terms and Replace the Ground Clamp on Batt Cable.

It is a ground problem.

buy a repair manual if you dont already have one look in the wiring section and check all fusable links it is possible that one or more have blown.