DODGE JOURNEY Key fob not detected

[yyz]

7 hours ago, Sparkzitup said:

I am having the same issue, so I called a few friends and one suggested putting the fob in the cup holder, that is now the only way my car will start. Worth a shot for anyone having this issue 

Sure!

[yyz]

On 9/27/2024 at 8:30 PM, Gypsy said:

So I had this problem and I fixed it!

 

First sit in your car, take key fob and without pressing on the breaks, push button with key fob and press twice. This won't start the car but will turn it to run mode.

Then take your key fob and place in door handle. Push the breaks and start your car! This reprogram your fob!  

 

Hope this helps!!!

Ok,I can't wait to try this!

[thejeepdriver]

On 2/2/2025 at 10:50 AM, Sparkzitup said:

I am having the same issue, so I called a few friends and one suggested putting the fob in the cup holder, that is now the only way my car will start. Worth a shot for anyone having this issue 

👍 I'm so grateful that you posted this, and also shocked that it actually worked!  This saved me from being stranded.  Like you, this is the only way the Journey will start with one of the key fobs, the other fob works fine.  I did try the reprogramming method Gypsy posted, but I didn't have any success.  

[tdottrucker]

Coming into provide an update: it’s a bit long but read it through. Fob might be the issue after all.

 

So the only way I could get my Fob to start my car was to either place it in the cup holder, or in the driver side pocket of the Center console. Mechanic said that my fob should work 6 feet away from the vehicle, but it is only working 6 inches away. This includes unlocking the car where you have to put the fob directly on the rear door in order to use your hand to unlock the driver’s door. Mechanic said RFhub not throwing any error codes, RF Sensors working properly. After a while I gave up and just kept using the buttons and my cupholder until….

 

I lost my keys in a snowbank for a couple of weeks and had to spend about $300 for a locksmith to come with a new fob. He had to program it without me having any working fob to give him. It was an aftermarket fob as well, not an authentic Dodge one. Well guess what, it has been since February, and knock on wood. This new fob works 6 feet away properly as it should. I have had no issues with it. 
 

TLDR: A locksmith reprogramming a New fob WITHOUT using the old ones as a source to copy from seemed to fix the problem for me. 

[Dean H]

When you have one key fob working.

 

You can buy this programming kit below.

 

Do it yourself. It's very easy to do.

 

I have a 16 DJ.

 

The programmer becomes locked to your vehicle. So do the fobs.

 

https://tomskey.com/products/chrysler-dodge-jeep-and-ram-simple-key-programmer-for-smart-key-fob-cdsk-e3z0sk-kit

Edited August 23, 2025 by Dean H

[Dean H]

This the location and the operation specs of the antennas on the 2016 DJ.

 

 

 

 

Edited August 23, 2025 by Dean H

[Matt9988]

On 2/2/2025 at 7:50 AM, Sparkzitup said:

I am having the same issue, so I called a few friends and one suggested putting the fob in the cup holder, that is now the only way my car will start. Worth a shot for anyone having this issue 

Mine used to work this way, now it's not working in the cup holder either.  Anyone have a solution?

[tdottrucker]

Ok, I am going to provide my experience for everyone in the hopes it helps because between my dealer in Ontario, and FCA Canada / Stellantis. Customer service was useless and I waisted money I should not have had to spend. 

 

Same issue as most of you. Key Not Detected. I find out from my dealer that it only works with the fob in the cup holder.... as he stated directly "your LF antennas should read the FOB from 6ft away, they are only reading it from 6 inches or less away." 

Fixes tried at that point:

• changed the push button start module - no change
• swapped around several LF antennas from the doors, under the console - no change
• replaced the RFHub that's under the headliner at the rear of the Journey - no change and old RFHub was producing no error codes. Electrical mechanic told me request a refund. (Here's where FCA Stellantis FAILED and refuse to help)
• Had them reprogram a new fob USING one of my old fobs - worked for a week, then new fob also behaved like the others - Remember this part for how I fixed it

Flash forward 6 months to a very heavy snow fall. I loose my keys in the snowbank. Called a locksmith who was forced to program a new fob WITHOUT having any of my fobs available. He had to use my VIN and the computer to do it. Sure enough, new fob works perfectly, 6ft or more away and has been working for almost 2 years without issue while my factory fobs still won't work unless within 6 inches. One of my factory fobs actually has fully died since. 

 

So my TDLR opinion:

Having a fob reprogrammed using a current fob seems to copy over any issues that the current fobs are having (frequency issues or other technical issues) 

BUT programming a new fob and saying you don't have the old fobs to do it with so they are forced to do it through the VIN using the original software information seems to have worked. 

 

FCA won't admit there is a problem with this fob model, but users in Chargers, Rams and Caravans using the same fob model have also reported similar problems.