1996 Jeep Cherokee XJ Key-less Entry?
 

I recently bought a 2 door 5 speed manual 1996 Jeep Cherokee XJ Sport. On the headliner above the rear view mirror there is a little black sphere under a plastic bezel. I took the screws out and it looks like an RKE board too me. The previous owner didn't mention it had key-less entry or have any key fobs. This Jeep also has power windows and locks so I think it does have key-less entry. So my question is can I buy a comparable key fob and program it or do i need to have one working fob to program a new one? I'v searched on eBay for OEM key fobs and they are not too much (see link below). So if I bought one of those eBay key fobs would it be possible to program it to my Jeep, if indeed my Jeep does have key-less entry? Thanks, any input is appreciated.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fits-Chrysl...YAAOSwRNhboPEB

Its a reciever for the IR based keyless entry system. The remote you posted wont work. You'll need one pictured like the one below.

https://www.keylessremotewarehouse.c...xoC69sQAvD_BwE

Unfortunately they're getting hard to find and prices are skyhigh. I managed to scoop one up middle of last year for 70 dollars.

Some folks have converted to RF systems. I wanted to stick with the original stuff on mine.

So one of those ones you buy at autozone or someplace won't work?

my present '96 has both original keyfobs now working

on my previous '96, I fitted a $30 keyless remote, with 2 fobs, works a lot further away than the old style

if you want, I can link you to a thread that shows that

All of the aftermarket replacements i see are radio frequency units. The old IR units work like a TV remote. I dont know of anyone who makes aftermarket replacment IR remotes for our Jeeps.

as far as I am aware, a '96 will only take a '96 or prior key fob, they then must be "programmed". (by user) to work on that car (a fairly simple process)

if you install an aftermarket system, you will need to wire it into the existing harness.

I placed mine in the original position, after removing the old circuit board

Correct because in 97 they started using a Radio Frequency remote instead of an IR remote.

And what about a 87 wagoneer ?

Any advice on a ready to fit solution on eBay ?

Those are a bit more complex. Apparently 91 and older they used an IR system similar to the 92-96 but it was a different system. You couldn't just program a replacement remote like you could with the 92-96. The easiest way if you want to keep the IR system is to hope you can find a remote and receiver board that match online. Without a matching receiver board and remote it's impossible to reprogram the receiver board (requires knowing the right combination of wires and where they go on the back of the receiver board and that information is apparently lost to the ages) to a remote that doesn't match up with it.

Here's a good recent thread over on NAXJA on the early IR keyless entry on the XJ. It's a cool piece of Jeep history.

https://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1154028

You should be able to wire up nearly any keyless entry system you can find on ebay or amazon to work with your Jeep as long as it has power locks and whatnot already.

This shows how I wired up an Ebay system for a '96

cheaper & easier than mucking around trying to get some ancient thing working

http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/...ghlight=remote