Most of us have enough trouble getting the power door locks to just work in these old rigs, but I recently performed a simple upgrade to get a functioning keyless entry system.
I'd like to mention that I came across the original idea from a post on JeepForum.com. The author of the post upgraded his ZJ's IR keyless entry system to a more modern RF version using Chrysler LH sedan parts. My conversion is very similar, but there are a few FSJ nuances. I suggest reading the JeepForum.com post for the background information, as it contains a wiring diagram for the LH keyless entry module and programming instructions.
The following procedure is for FSJs originally equipped with keyless entry systems. There is a wiring harness in the roof behind the overhead console, as well as two relays behind the dashboard that activate the door lock actuators.
One word of caution, if a bit obvious: I would not bother with keyless entry in a FSJ if your power door locks don't work properly to begin with. Mine didn't -- the door lock actuators were only seeing about 8 V when energized. I wired a pair of relays in each front door, along with a dedicated power wire, to reduce the voltage drop and provide a full 12 V to the actuators. I left the rear actuators alone because they worked properly.
My remote keyless entry (RKE) module came from a 1995 Chrysler Concorde. I made an adapter harness by cutting the connector off of the IR module and splicing into the Concorde wiring. The wiring conversion is as follows:
B+: PK (FSJ) -- PK (LH)
Ground: BK (FSJ) -- BK (LH)
Lock: GY/VT (FSJ) -- PK/BK (LH)
Unlock*: PK/GN (FSJ) -- PK/VT (LH)
* Using Driver's Door Unlock function
The RKE module is designed to open the driver's door with the first press of the Unlock remote button, and the rest of the doors with a subsequent press. I didn't want to wire my driver's door separately, so I used the Driver's Door Unlock output to perform the unlocking function. This ensures that all of the doors will unlock on the first press of the Unlock remote button. (Note: in the JeepForum.com article, the author suggested installing a diode if wiring the RKE unlock function in this manner. The concern is that the door lock switches can back-feed a voltage to the RKE module and short it out. Fortunately, a diode isn't necessary on a FSJ because the keyless entry relays are not energized when the door lock switches are used.)
Here is the wiring diagram for the factory FSJ keyless entry system, borrowed from Tom Collins' website. The red box shows the connector on the IR module that needs spliced into the RKE module.
Connecting the RKE module to the existing wiring provides a level of functionality equal to the stock FSJ IR system (though with better range). The RKE module also has outputs for a trunk release, horn, illuminated entry, and other things. I chose to wire the parking light circuit into the RKE module so the lights flash any time the vehicle is locked or unlocked. Luckily, the parking light circuit can be reached from the overhead console -- the compass and temperature display uses it as an input for its dimming feature. The wires are only AWG 20, but they're capable of handling the load (especially for such a short duration). The parking light circuit in my '89 GW draws about 3.5 A.
In the diagram below, The yellow wire supplies power to a pair of relays which are controlled by the lock and unlock outputs from the RKE module. For either a lock or unlock operation, the blue wire is switched to +12 V, which momentarily energizes the parking light circuit. In all other cases the blue wire is left floating.
After wiring everything up, I was able to fit the RKE module and relays into the overhead console without removing the old IR module. The little black dome is still there and it doesn't look any different than stock.
I was surprised by how well the system works. The range is pretty good too, about fifty feet. Grand Wagoneers may have been ahead of the curve with keyless entry in the late 1980s, but I think it's worth upgrading to something more reliable. For the cost of the RKE module and remote (about $25 total), it was cheaper than buying an aftermarket keyless entry system... and it just feels good using factory parts.
You can view a short video of the system here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NURPlMv9fUo
I'd like to mention that I came across the original idea from a post on JeepForum.com. The author of the post upgraded his ZJ's IR keyless entry system to a more modern RF version using Chrysler LH sedan parts. My conversion is very similar, but there are a few FSJ nuances. I suggest reading the JeepForum.com post for the background information, as it contains a wiring diagram for the LH keyless entry module and programming instructions.
The following procedure is for FSJs originally equipped with keyless entry systems. There is a wiring harness in the roof behind the overhead console, as well as two relays behind the dashboard that activate the door lock actuators.
One word of caution, if a bit obvious: I would not bother with keyless entry in a FSJ if your power door locks don't work properly to begin with. Mine didn't -- the door lock actuators were only seeing about 8 V when energized. I wired a pair of relays in each front door, along with a dedicated power wire, to reduce the voltage drop and provide a full 12 V to the actuators. I left the rear actuators alone because they worked properly.
My remote keyless entry (RKE) module came from a 1995 Chrysler Concorde. I made an adapter harness by cutting the connector off of the IR module and splicing into the Concorde wiring. The wiring conversion is as follows:
B+: PK (FSJ) -- PK (LH)
Ground: BK (FSJ) -- BK (LH)
Lock: GY/VT (FSJ) -- PK/BK (LH)
Unlock*: PK/GN (FSJ) -- PK/VT (LH)
* Using Driver's Door Unlock function
The RKE module is designed to open the driver's door with the first press of the Unlock remote button, and the rest of the doors with a subsequent press. I didn't want to wire my driver's door separately, so I used the Driver's Door Unlock output to perform the unlocking function. This ensures that all of the doors will unlock on the first press of the Unlock remote button. (Note: in the JeepForum.com article, the author suggested installing a diode if wiring the RKE unlock function in this manner. The concern is that the door lock switches can back-feed a voltage to the RKE module and short it out. Fortunately, a diode isn't necessary on a FSJ because the keyless entry relays are not energized when the door lock switches are used.)
Here is the wiring diagram for the factory FSJ keyless entry system, borrowed from Tom Collins' website. The red box shows the connector on the IR module that needs spliced into the RKE module.
Connecting the RKE module to the existing wiring provides a level of functionality equal to the stock FSJ IR system (though with better range). The RKE module also has outputs for a trunk release, horn, illuminated entry, and other things. I chose to wire the parking light circuit into the RKE module so the lights flash any time the vehicle is locked or unlocked. Luckily, the parking light circuit can be reached from the overhead console -- the compass and temperature display uses it as an input for its dimming feature. The wires are only AWG 20, but they're capable of handling the load (especially for such a short duration). The parking light circuit in my '89 GW draws about 3.5 A.
In the diagram below, The yellow wire supplies power to a pair of relays which are controlled by the lock and unlock outputs from the RKE module. For either a lock or unlock operation, the blue wire is switched to +12 V, which momentarily energizes the parking light circuit. In all other cases the blue wire is left floating.
After wiring everything up, I was able to fit the RKE module and relays into the overhead console without removing the old IR module. The little black dome is still there and it doesn't look any different than stock.
I was surprised by how well the system works. The range is pretty good too, about fifty feet. Grand Wagoneers may have been ahead of the curve with keyless entry in the late 1980s, but I think it's worth upgrading to something more reliable. For the cost of the RKE module and remote (about $25 total), it was cheaper than buying an aftermarket keyless entry system... and it just feels good using factory parts.
You can view a short video of the system here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NURPlMv9fUo
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