Possible WCM issue.

Nic_dEntremont

Nic_dEntremont

JK Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 21, 2022
Messages
106
Location
West Pubnico, Nova Scotia
Hello everyone, a few months ago I had a problem with my 2015 JK where every possible warning light was on, my dash display was flashing randomly and I couldn't start the engine. After messing around with everything I could think of the problem just went away. I've been driving it as normal since then.

Anyway a couple weeks ago I turned my steering wheel and I heard a plastic cracking sound. My airbag light came right on. I figured something in my clockspring broke.

A couple days after that the dash lights all lit up again just like they had before. Thinking it was the clockspring I unplugged all the connectors behind it to see if anything would happen but nothing.

Then I unplugged the wires going to the Wireless Control Module and the dash goes back to normal. I plug it back in and the dash goes crazy. It seems like the original issue was with the WCM.

I've been looking around and can find a few people with WCM issues sometimes causing the old dash Christmas tree. Has anyone experienced this? Can the WCM be disassembled? I figure it may have got some moisture in there or something, maybe there's corrosion inside.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Speartip
BLACKJKU said:
This is the first time i've heard of the WCM.
Click to expand...
It's a little box in your steering column. It has a plastic ring that goes around your ignition key slot. I assume that's where the antenna for the sentry key system is. I guess it also handles the keyless entry and has the wireless receiver for the tire pressure monitoring system.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mrjp, Speartip, BigAL07 and 1 other person
Well isn‘t that interesting, might be a few peoples problems. Here is a link to the part, https://www.moparfactoryparts.com/oem-parts/mopar-sentry-key-immobilizer-module-receiver-68209837aa

And some pictures, in the Description you can see it is also referred to tire pressure monitoring system. Under the models it shows it goes all the way back to 2007 JK. I am not sure how to tell if it is the issue and whether it can be bypassed or not as if it has to do with the key and security system seems like the Jeep wouldn’t start.
212018A6-2EFB-4ADF-9B48-74CA45BC15AE.png
4E14199E-0C3E-48D4-99AD-2C8E6433C38E.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: mrjp, Nic_dEntremont, BLACKJKU and 2 others
You know I ordered a blank key about a year and a half ago. Had it cut and programmed it with JScan and worked fine. I gave my wife my original key and kept the new one on my ring. About every couple weeks I was getting a no start issue. 3 for four shots before it would start. I read a thread somewhere about the wcm not recognizing the chip in the key and causing issues with starting and other things. On a whim I started using my original key about 6 months ago and it has never happened since. Definitely not blaming JScan. I love my JScan. But I think from what I read the wcm was not recognizing that aftermarket key chip regularly. No expert by no means but the wcm I think can for sure cause you some issues. Just my experience and 2 cents. 🍺🍺
 
  • Like
Reactions: mrjp, Nic_dEntremont, Speartip and 2 others
BigAL07 said:
You know I ordered a blank key about a year and a half ago. Had it cut and programmed it with JScan and worked fine. I gave my wife my original key and kept the new one on my ring. About every couple weeks I was getting a no start issue. 3 for four shots before it would start. I read a thread somewhere about the wcm not recognizing the chip in the key and causing issues with starting and other things. On a whim I started using my original key about 6 months ago and it has never happened since. Definitely not blaming JScan. I love my JScan. But I think from what I read the wcm was not recognizing that aftermarket key chip regularly. No expert by no means but the wcm I think can for sure cause you some issues. Just my experience and 2 cents. 🍺🍺
Click to expand...
Maybe you need a new WCM. Since programming
my new key a few months ago when I first got
JSCAN not one hiccup from the new key.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mrjp and BigAL07
Nic_dEntremont said:
Hello everyone, a few months ago I had a problem with my 2015 JK where every possible warning light was on, my dash display was flashing randomly and I couldn't start the engine. After messing around with everything I could think of the problem just went away. I've been driving it as normal since then.

Anyway a couple weeks ago I turned my steering wheel and I heard a plastic cracking sound. My airbag light came right on. I figured something in my clockspring broke.

A couple days after that the dash lights all lit up again just like they had before. Thinking it was the clockspring I unplugged all the connectors behind it to see if anything would happen but nothing.

Then I unplugged the wires going to the Wireless Control Module and the dash goes back to normal. I plug it back in and the dash goes crazy. It seems like the original issue was with the WCM.

I've been looking around and can find a few people with WCM issues sometimes causing the old dash Christmas tree. Has anyone experienced this? Can the WCM be disassembled? I figure it may have got some moisture in there or something, maybe there's corrosion inside.
Click to expand...
It might be worth it just to replace WCM.
It may solve your problems .
 
  • Like
Reactions: mrjp and Nic_dEntremont
Kinda thinking it’s the chip in the newer key that’s just not quite right. Works fine 90 percent of the time while my old key is 100 percent. Go figure. Guess new isn’t always better lol. 10 bucks no biggie. Gonna get another one from a different vendor sometime just for sh##ts and giggles and try it🍺🍺
 
  • Like
Reactions: Speartip
BigAL07 said:
OP may want to replace. Could be it. You never know🍺🍺
Click to expand...
I may have to replace it. I've been going through hard times so I'll try to fix it or hack it first before spending too much monet. My Jeep starts and works after unplugging the battery. It must reset the computer and maybe it takes a while for it to notice that it's broken. I attached some screenshots from JScan.

There is a button for Wireless Control (TPMS) in JScan and when in there it's not showing the current VIN which I believe it should. Also there are no settings available in that module which I also believe there should. I remember seeing the words sentry key somewhere in JScan when I first got it but now there's none to be found

Also it says I have nothing installed when I go into the intrusion module which again I think there should be something there. I'll let you all know what I find in the WCM when I disassemble it. You have to take the steering wheel and clockspring out just to access the single screw that holds it on.

Also my clockspring is obviously broken, the only buttons on the steering wheel that work is the cruise control buttons.

Aren't electronics great?

Screenshot_20230222-084820.png


Screenshot_20230222-084844.png


Screenshot_20230222-084834.png


Screenshot_20230222-084859.png


Screenshot_20230222-084850.png


Screenshot_20230222-084911.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: Speartip, mrjp and BigAL07
BigAL07 said:
Kinda thinking it’s the chip in the newer key that’s just not quite right. Works fine 90 percent of the time while my old key is 100 percent. Go figure. Guess new isn’t always better lol. 10 bucks no biggie. Gonna get another one from a different vendor sometime just for sh##ts and giggles and try it🍺🍺
Click to expand...
Yeah if one key works 100 percent and the
other intermittent very well could be tha key.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mrjp, Danarch, BLACKJKU and 1 other person
Here's what a WCM looks like on the inside in case anyone wants to see. Looks like it's in mint condition.
PXL_20230226_175137853.jpg

PXL_20230226_175148435.jpg


I know my clockspring is damaged so I ordered a new one. If the problem keeps going I'll just have to get a new WCM. I think JScan can program replacement WCMs, I guess we'll see.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BigAL07
Lol so I took apart my clockspring. She's a mangled unit. Anyone ever see one do this?
PXL_20230226_183057023.jpg

here's the other side. that wheel with the gear teeth and those little sticks make up the steering wheel position sensor. I think it uses an optical sensor of some sort. Probably like an optical computer mouse?
PXL_20230226_183020351.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: mrjp and BigAL07
Nic_dEntremont said:
Lol so I took apart my clockspring. She's a mangled unit. Anyone ever see one do this?View attachment 123824
here's the other side. that wheel with the gear teeth and those little sticks make up the steering wheel position sensor. I think it uses an optical sensor of some sort. Probably like an optical computer mouse?
View attachment 123825
Click to expand...


Does it look like it has gotten wet?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nic_dEntremont and BigAL07
Ve
Nic_dEntremont said:
Lol so I took apart my clockspring. She's a mangled unit. Anyone ever see one do this?View attachment 123824
here's the other side. that wheel with the gear teeth and those little sticks make up the steering wheel position sensor. I think it uses an optical sensor of some sort. Probably like an optical computer mouse?
View attachment 123825
Click to expand...
Very interesting, thank you for sharing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mrjp, Nic_dEntremont and BigAL07
Here's some more info for you all about this (and maybe more) issue.

I sent my Jeep to another dealership. This place was highly recommended over the other one I went to. The tech traced a short circuit to a connector near the passenger side headlight. Apparently there was that green corrosion connecting battery voltage to two CAN C bus connectors. CAN C does the powertrain modules. He cleaned the connector and bypassed the wiring harness by splicing the wires together. Below are some images and scans of the reports they made. I hope it helps someone.
PXL_20230303_202000531~2.jpg
PXL_20230303_202008607.jpg

Results.jpg
They we're even nice enough to give me a wiring diagram of the CAN bus C system.
Wiring Diagram CAN Bus C.jpg

I will continue to run it as normal and will install the new clock spring when it arrives. Hopefully that's the end of electrical issues for now. I'm thinking of investing in some dielectric grease.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mrjp, MacGuyver, BigAL07 and 2 others
Top Bottom