The Jeep Renegade is a massive computerized unit that allows you to enjoy lots of cool automated features. With this automation comes several feedback systems such as the indicator and warnings on Uconnect display.
Some of these warnings may be quite simple to understand but others such as the Service Passive Entry System can boggle the mind.
In this article, I breakdown all of the possible reasons why your Jeep Renegade says Service Passive Entry System, and provide you with solutions to clear this warning.
Why Does My Renegade Say Service Passive Entry System?
To understand this warning or indication, it is important that you first understand what the Passive Entry System on your Jeep Renegade is.
Passive Entry System is the automated security system that allows your key fob to perform functions such as unlocking the door when you are in close proximity to the car or when you pull the door handle even if the car is locked.
It also allows you to automatically lock the car when you walk away from it or when you touch the car after exiting it.
Essentially, this means that you don’t need to press any buttons on the key fob or turn any keys in order to perform the functions described above. This is why it is called a Passive Entry System.
Now that you understand what a Passive Entry System is, let’s go ahead and explain all the possible reasons why you may get the Service Passive Entry System warning on your Jeep Renegade.
1. Broken Connection Between Key Fob and The Car Computer System
The most common cause of the Service Passive Entry System warning on Jeep Renegade is that the connection between the key fob and the jeep’s computer system is broken.
As we explained earlier, the Passive Entry System allows the key to remotely perform security functions such as locking and unlocking the car without you having to press any buttons or turn any keys.
For this to work, there has to be an electronic connection between the key fob and the car’s computer system. When you come in close proximity to the car with the key on you, the car’s computer system receives signals from the key and then activates the doors so that they can receive the signals being sent out by the key fob.
Sometimes, this connection and automatic response can be broken, leading to the Service Passive Entry System warning that you are experiencing.
The good news is that to resolve this, you don’t need to take your car to the dealership or perform any complex software updates.
Fix – Reset the connection between the key fob and the car’s computer system
If the connection between the key fob and the jeep’s computer system is broken, the best way to fix this is to reset the connection. Follow the steps below to reset the connection between the key fob and the Jeep Renegade computer system, and clear the error:
- Get into the car and make sure that all the doors are closed and locked.
- Press the start button on the key to turn on the car but do not start the engine. That is, push the start button on the key fob without pushing your foot on the brake
- Wait one full and then turn the car off again
- Now, start the car fully by pressing the start button and pushing the brake
- Now check to see if the error clears
2. Broken electric circuit
The next most common reason why you may see the Service Passive Entry System on your Jeep Renegade is that electrical circuit in the car’s battery, or the battery’s integration with the car’s computer system is broken.
The computer system in your Jeep Renegade is powered by the car battery. The battery is integrated with all the electronic and electrical components in the car to make the computerised features that you enjoy possible.
On occasion, the circuit in the battery or the integration between the battery and the other components of the car may break. When this happens, you would need to reset the battery circuit to get it working properly again.
Fix – Reset car battery circuit
To reset the circuit in the car battery and get the Passive Entry System working properly again, follow the steps below carefully:
- Make sure that all electronic and electrical connections in the car are turned off. This includes stereo, lights, chargers (disconnect), and so on
- Turn off the car completely
- Disconnect the negative terminal on the car battery
- Wait 15 minutes
- Reconnect the negative terminal firmly
- Start the car and see if the error clears
3. Low Battery on Car Key Fob
Another common reason why the Service Passive Entry System shows up on your Jeep Renegade is that the battery on the key fob is weak.
Some users complain that they get this warning even when the car is only a few months or at most a year old. The fact is that there may not be consistency in the quality of batteries installed by manufacturers. So, no matter how long you’ve used your car for, you need to check whether a weak battery on the key fob is the culprit.
Another thing to bear in mind is that, even if the battery is weak, the key fob may still work for functions such as when you press the start button to turn on the car. This is because it takes a lot more battery power for the key to communicate with the Passive Entry System than for it to send signals when you press a button on it.
So, even if the buttons still work when the battery is weak, the Passive Entry System may not work.
Fix – Change the key battery
To fix this problem, you would have to change the battery on the key fob. You could take the key to your dealer to have them change the battery for you.
However, if you’re interested in a bit of DIY, then follow the steps below to change the key for battery by yourself:
- First, you need to check for the battery type on the plastic casing of the key fob. Many manufacturers display the battery type on the plastic casing.
- Once you find the battery type, go ahead and purchase a replacement from a reliable source. Make sure you are buying the same type and size as the current one on the key fob.
- Next, you need to open the key fob. Check for the intersection of the 2 seams of the key fob. Some manufacturers include a notch that you can press and easily separate the seams of the key fob.
- Whether there is a notch or not, make sure that you take apart the key at the seams gently. You can do this using a sturdy fingernail, a flat screwdriver, or any other flat, blunt tool.
- Once you have opened the key casing, examine the battery and ascertain the positive and negative terminals. These are easy to find as they are always represented by + and – signs.
- Take note of this, then remove the old battery and then insert the new one in exactly the same way as the old one. That is, make sure the positive and negative ends are placed in the same positions as with the old battery.
- Finally, put the key fob back together, making sure that the 2 halves snap firmly back together.
- Start the car and see if the error has cleared
NOTE: Before you perform the steps above, ensure that the car is completely turned off and you are not in it.
Fix 2 – Change the key fob
If, for some reason, you are unable to get the key fob battery changed either by yourself or by your car dealer, then the other option is to change the key fob entirely.
Many users have resorted to this option when changing the key fob battery is not feasible for whatever reason, and it has worked for them.
When getting a replacement key, ensure that you go to a trusted and reliable dealer to have the key fob changed. Avoid purchasing such accessories from online dealers. It is best to go to a physical dealer shop where you can test and confirm that the key is able to perform all the functions that your old key fob normally would.
4. Interference from another key
Key fobs use Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) to send signals to the car. When you have another key fob in close proximity to your Jeep Renegade key fob, the frequencies from both key fobs will clash and cause issues on the Passive Entry System of your car. We have found that this is another common reason for the Service Passive Entry System warning on Jeep renegade.
Fix – Remove interference
Check around to see if there is any other key fob that may be interfering with the frequency from your Jeep Renegade key fob.
Also, check if there is any other object around that uses RFID frequency to communicate, and remove it. Then check to see if the warning clears.