An easy "how to" on getting into your xj with no keys
#1
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 4
From: Northfield MN
Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.2 v8
An easy "how to" on getting into your xj with no keys
So....tonight as I know some of us have done, I ever so brightly managed to lock both sets of my keys in the xj......so that set me to pondering over how to get into it without screwing anything up or spending money I dont have for some guy to come get them out for me.
This is what I found out, I am assuming it will work on at least 97+ due to the fact mine is a 99, so if you have an earlier model, feel free to try it out and give some feedback.
What you will need is a pair of pliers or something of that sort to pull off your antenna, now go over to your driver side door, and look at your window where the glass starts to go into the door, see that black rubber type strip on the metal? Pull it up and off of your door, it just slips on there.
Now carefully pull the door metal outwards, it wont hurt it, just flex it out to take a look inside (you might need a flashlight, and may drool on the window a bit trying to get a decent look), aim your eyeballs towards the latch area and under the outer door handle, you should see a nice metal bar heading downwards with a plastic clip, mine happened to be a red clip, once you spot that little guy get your antenna in the door, put the part with the little ball in there and hold the screw side, and get it under that clip on that rod, hook the ball on there and pull up....your door should now be manually unlocked.
Push the button and open the door, and remember your keys next time, its not fun climbing into the second story window of your apartment to get tools, nor is it fun feeling like captain ********.
Reinstall all the stuff you took off of your rig, and call it a day.
Hope this helps someone out, it took about 30 seconds to do it once I figured it out, if you feel like testing it out, do so and leave some feedback.
Again I am assuming 97+ have the same setup, not sure on any years before this, as mine is a 99.
This is what I found out, I am assuming it will work on at least 97+ due to the fact mine is a 99, so if you have an earlier model, feel free to try it out and give some feedback.
What you will need is a pair of pliers or something of that sort to pull off your antenna, now go over to your driver side door, and look at your window where the glass starts to go into the door, see that black rubber type strip on the metal? Pull it up and off of your door, it just slips on there.
Now carefully pull the door metal outwards, it wont hurt it, just flex it out to take a look inside (you might need a flashlight, and may drool on the window a bit trying to get a decent look), aim your eyeballs towards the latch area and under the outer door handle, you should see a nice metal bar heading downwards with a plastic clip, mine happened to be a red clip, once you spot that little guy get your antenna in the door, put the part with the little ball in there and hold the screw side, and get it under that clip on that rod, hook the ball on there and pull up....your door should now be manually unlocked.
Push the button and open the door, and remember your keys next time, its not fun climbing into the second story window of your apartment to get tools, nor is it fun feeling like captain ********.
Reinstall all the stuff you took off of your rig, and call it a day.
Hope this helps someone out, it took about 30 seconds to do it once I figured it out, if you feel like testing it out, do so and leave some feedback.
Again I am assuming 97+ have the same setup, not sure on any years before this, as mine is a 99.
The following users liked this post:
buckadilla (07-14-2021)
#3
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Huntington, IN
Year: 1987
Model: Wagoneer
Engine: 4.0
Wish i would have knwn this a month ago. I ended up breaking the lock of of the fly window to get in. I even had a cop try to get in. He couldn't figure it out. That or he didn't feel like standing in the rain any longer....
#4
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,640
Likes: 0
From: Northeast CT
Year: 99
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
funny story, in pennsylvania earlier this summer for NAXJA's NAC-Fest there were a bunch of us in the campground BSing and what not. one lady went to go leave in her jeep and realized she locked her keys in it, another guy at the campground put his keys in her door and it unlocked it. both pre 97
#5
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 4
From: Northfield MN
Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.2 v8
yeah np, again if someone would do a retest it would be good feedback, I just wanted to share, I'm hoping it's also similar for the other years of these beasts
#6
Registered Users
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 633
Likes: 1
From: NW Oregon
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
If you have wing windows.. Pull on the rubber that surrounds the glass.. Pull it all the way out (takes 3 seconds) and the wing-window lock is accessable and its all down hill from there..
Done this three times.. Its almost quicker then dealing with keys..
another one is, Take a flathead Screwdriver to one of the three back windows, Peel it all the way out and hop in, Push the back window back in place and use the screw driver all the way around the seal to Pull it back into place when done!
Done this three times.. Its almost quicker then dealing with keys..
another one is, Take a flathead Screwdriver to one of the three back windows, Peel it all the way out and hop in, Push the back window back in place and use the screw driver all the way around the seal to Pull it back into place when done!
Trending Topics
#9
Oh yah, da UP (or Heaven for dose of ya who don't know what yur talkin' 'bout) is da land of milk, honey, sweet sap whiskey, and da biggest bucks dis side of God's own house! Man I miss living in Michigan!
Great write up though! I'm sure I'll be needing this one day!
Great write up though! I'm sure I'll be needing this one day!
#11
#12
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 889
Likes: 2
From: Detroit, MI
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
And the UP is like a whole other country. It's Michigan thru & thru but when you cross that bridge you leave the artificial world behind. I love it.
#13
Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Long Island
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 IL
funny story, in pennsylvania earlier this summer for NAXJA's NAC-Fest there were a bunch of us in the campground BSing and what not. one lady went to go leave in her jeep and realized she locked her keys in it, another guy at the campground put his keys in her door and it unlocked it. both pre 97
Thats funny as hell. And probably a bit scary for her.
I have that stupid key fob with the unlock crap on it, Ironically though, my sister has a 98 XJ and her fob is on the same frequency as mine. Easy ins and out. Never locked my keys in my car yet so knock on wood.
Great plan though I can totally see how this works.
#14
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 4
From: Northfield MN
Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.2 v8
haha yeah yoopers can be crafty...and I don't condone spare keys but if you saw the roads and snow in the winters here, spares don't seem to have a good hiding spot...lol can't wait to see some feedback and just for general knowledge I am fin lol last name is Aho for crying out loud, I just like to talk and type in real english haha.
as far as the area goes yes it's alot different from most areas, lots of wilderness and animals....fairly quiet and beautiful....good grounds for an xj also....good place for a vacation!
as far as the area goes yes it's alot different from most areas, lots of wilderness and animals....fairly quiet and beautiful....good grounds for an xj also....good place for a vacation!
#15
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 0
From: St. Clair Shores, MI
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Inline 6
I love the UP... been up there a buncha times to iron head for hockey... the scenery is amazing.... thats why i have a cottage within 30 min of the up