leebart121

I would like to know if anyone has upgraded the IR keyless entry in there Jeep.

I have a 1995 Cherokee Sport and hate the IR limitations. I want to find a upgrade keyless entry that will allow for up to 200 feet range and if possible plug and play type systems or close too!

If anyone has experience or advice please let me know.

thanks,

Lee

FrankGRUN

I have a 1996 Country with the IR Keyless Remote System. Unfortunately, I just bought this Cherokee and no remotes came with the purchase! I checked into the price of replacements and found the ~$130 price per remote ridiculous, particularly for such obsolete technology. I purchased the ebay proffered pdf copy of the shop manual, removed the gray plastic carrier and studied the wiring diagram.

The primary leads needed to support an aftermarket RF Keyless System are all there. I then purchased a new Viper 211HV Keyless Entry system from Amazon.com ($45) - cheaper than ebay with free shipping. I then studied the wiring diagram for the Viper and found everything could be readily wired into the connector on the Jeep supporting the original receiver. This includes all power connections, operation of the Jeep door locks and the Jeep dome light. Looking at the headliner and other discussions on this forum about CB radio mounts. I decided to scale up the modification.

I added a an additional wire for triggering the Jeep horn when the Keyless system is energized. I also added a Gentex GNTX-221 autodimming mirror with compass and LED Map Lights (eBay purchase for $45 with shipping), and a Cobra 18 WX ST II CB radio to be mounted in the headliner/ceiling. I had to snake the CB antenna lead to the hole in the headliner from my rear taillight side mount antenna. At the same time, I brought a lead from the back-up light in the rear along with the antenna cable to trigger the release of the auto-dimming feature of the mirror when in reverse. All other necessary wiring for the radio, mirror and keyless entry were already in place with the original IR receiver module.

The Viper package is a bit large, so I removed the essential circuit board from the plastic case, insulated the exposed PC board solder trace underside with a few layers of 3M electrical tape. The Viper board fits nicely in the headliner cutout. I mounted the CB holder to the previous plastic carrier after opening a port for the additional wires for the CB and mirror. I spliced the Viper connector and harness into the original wiring with my additions and replaced the modified plastic carrier sans the black half dome IR sensor. I brought the Viper antenna out and along the front (not viewing) surface of the mirror. Pickup is excellent, although I haven't tested it beyond 150 feet. I also bought a CB microphone extension cable and snaked the cable across the headliner (hidden) and down the trim for mounting on the center console, close to hand. Didn't like the idea of a dangling microphone cable distracting the forward view. It all looks clean to my taste! All in all, I'm into this $230 including the Viper, two remotes, the auto-dimming mirror, extension cable, CB radio, antenna, custom mount and connecting cable. Plus my time! Don't count the Shop Manual as a cost. A bit less than the two used IR remotes. Seems a better value to me.

Sir Sam

It is possible to take an already paired 97-01 RKE and RKE receiver and install them into a 96- cherokee.

Or go aftermarket.

96jeepxj

Is there anyway you could post-up exactly what you did or pm me some instructions so I could copy you. please

FrankGRUN

I'll take a few pictures and try to post the various wire colors I observed on the 1996 Cherokee XJ. I'm not certain as to whether the wiring harness colors for the IR receiver have changed over the years since I only have access to the wiring diagrams for the 95-96 XJ. In the previous post I gave a full description of the process, so one should be able to reproduce it for the Viper 211BV kit. Other RF Keyless aftermarket systems should be similar, but you will have to carefully study the installation diagram. I chose Viper by DEI because for over 30 years with a variety of their products from Keyless Entry to full security, I've never had a single problem with quality or longevity. Can't get to pictures and such 'till Wednesday.

96jeepxj

Hey thanks man. The wiring is all I am really looking for.

Battlelore

Wow...I am on my 3rd remote for my 96....I wish I had seen this years ago. When this one bites it, I will be copying your build.

DustinTinsley

Ok I know this post is some 5 years old, but trying to install the 211HV in my son's 1996 Cherokee. Does anyone have the wiring that was used for this install?

Gildo

Hi, guys just wondering if anyone has the pinouts or wiring colours for the factory RKE ?
I want to replace my IR remote entry with a better radio system.
Any ideas?
Cheers
Michael.

94zj318

From what I've heard it CAN be done, but how, I'm not sure.

nujeepguy

my haynes manual covers 1984 to 2001 cherokee. its been very helpful with all wiring ive done. colors, wire size. get at autozone for < 20 bucks

btw i just installed a rke in my 00 for $18 from amazon. works great.

FrankGRUN

Gentlemen, Sorry that I have been off on other projects and not watching this thread. I really felt all the necessary details were there in the original post but hadn't appreciated the inability to access the Factor Service Manual detail. I have both the print edition and the ebay sourced CD copy. I strongly suggest you have at least the ebay CD when working with the wiring harness. I picked up my CD version for less than $10 and use it constantly. I'm adding .pdf copies of the section on power locks and remote entry to this post. All the appropriate wires are present in the ceiling under the headliner if you don't have the overhead console, or under the console if present. The 211HV manual gives all the wire functions to map over to the diagram. No comment on RKE. The remote wiring starts on page 5. Good Luck!