How Do I Know If My Jeep Has An Alarm System? (Let’s See)

Jeep vehicles are unique for their elegance and gorgeous design. As a result, it catches the fancy and attraction of many automobile lovers.

This list includes potential customers, admirers, car enthusiasts, and sometimes potential thieves.

Hence, there is a need to have an alarm system in your favorite Jeep. It is one of your best ways to secure and continually enjoy the features of your car.

But how do you ascertain that you have a security alarm system for your Jeep?

The owner’s manual, VIN, and the key fob are ways to check if your Jeep has the factory alarm system. The good news is that there is more than one way to confirm this feature. What’s more? There are a lot of benefits to having this knowledge. First, you get to pick the one available and convenient for you.

How Do I Know If My Jeep Has an Alarm System?

For many cars in the different Jeep series, the key fob is the fastest way to know this feature is available. If your Jeep has a key fob, it should have a security lock system.

Once you lock your car, it makes a chirping sound to confirm the lock. This sound shows that the car has a factory alarm system. 

Sometimes, you do not have a key fob, but your car still has an alarm system. The next option here is to check out your owner’s manual.

If your Jeep has an alarm system, you should see how to configure the system. That is only necessary if there is a need for configuration.

Your vehicle VIN is another way to check the features of your car. You can search for your car features at the Jeep VIN search website. 

There are several reasons why you should know the features of your Jeep. One apparent reason is security from theft and vandalism.

Knowing if you have an alarm system also prevents tripping it off or on accidentally.

Imagine a scenario where your Jeep has an alarm system, but you have disabled them. This setting leaves your vehicle defenseless against theft.

You can lock yourself out of your car if you accidentally trip on the alarm system. 

Hence, the need to know about your Jeep alarm system is essential.

How Can I Confirm My Jeep Alarms System is Active?

Now that you know about your Jeep alarm system, it is essential to confirm it is active. An inactive alarm system is as good as not having the system.

There are tricks and tips to ensure confirmation of the factory alarm system. Many vehicle owners use two crucial tips to ascertain the alarm system’s activeness.

They are:

#1. The Red Light Blink

A red light button beneath the windshield on the driver’s side. This small light is an indicator of your vehicle alarm system.

This light starts blinking when you lock your Jeep. This blinking is to show that your system is active. 

The alarm light is on the instrument cluster for a typical Jeep Grand Cherokee. 

Lock the Jeep on the driver’s side to activate this blinking, using the electric lock switch. Generally, after locking, you should wait for about 30 seconds for the security system to become active.

Note that the red light has to start blinking for the alarm system to become active. If there is no blink, your car does have an alarm system, but it is not active for some reason.

#2. Lock the Door with Open Window

This step is another tip to help confirm your car’s alarm system. This tip puts your Jeep into a situation that resembles a theft situation.

Next, you examine what will happen if your vehicle is in a theft situation. 

Lock your door with the door open and wait for seconds for the alarm system to activate. This lock should not just be a simple shut; lock the door using the car key or key fob.

Next, try to open the door from the inside. The car response gives you the answer you seek.

If the car activates the alarm sound when you attempt to open the door from the inside, the system is active. If there is no sound, there is something wrong with the alarm system.

How Does the Jeep Alarm System Work?

The factory alarm system in your car uses sensors to detect vibrations, movements, and break-ins. You have these sensors on different parts of the vehicle.

One example is the Jeep Grand Cherokee with the hood latch sensor. Another type of sensor in the car is the door lock sensor. 

Most factory alarm systems are basic in their functions– detect vibrations or opening of doors and activate the sirens.

The siren makes noise to draw attention and prevent theft. There are two ways to activate this alarm system. 

• Some vehicles use remote locks to activate the alarm while some distance away from the car.
• The second way is alarm activation when you lock the door on the driver’s side using the key. 

The alarm system does more than make sounds to deter thefts. The Jeep Wrangler series, for example, has an immobilizer system that prevents car movement.

This immobilizer system turns off the ignition switch, and the engine doesn’t start. This feature reduces the chances of theft significantly. 

Alarm System Replacement

You can replace or repair your alarm system if there is an issue. Local auto mechanics can help you install a new module.

You also have the factory experts option if you have a warranty plan. 

Note that several factors can make your Jeep alarm system malfunction. While some connect directly to the alarm system, some do not.

For example, a faulty door or critical fob can affect the alarm system activation. 

However, you can go for a check to ascertain the cause of the malfunction.

The cost of replacing a typical Jeep Wrangler alarm system is between $330 and $350. This cost covers both the parts purchase and labor fee.

The price might vary based on the Jeep series and year model. 

Related: How Do I Know If My Jeep Needs A Software Update?

Can I install an Aftermarket Alarm System on My Jeep?

There are various and more advanced aftermarket alarm systems out there. You can install any one of them if there is an issue with the factory alarm system.

Some vehicle owners also install a third-party security alarm system because of its features.

Contact your local mechanic for the different brands of alarm security systems available. Then, you can install this system to increase the security of your car.

The aftermarket alarm system has many advanced features.

Some of them include sensors that detect more than movements; they also detect noise and heavy vibrations around the car.

In addition, some systems make use of an app that alerts you through your smartphone.

So even if you are not in the vicinity of your vehicle, you get alerts of intrusion or theft. 

The siren sound the car produces is always louder in the aftermarket alarm system. This is because the factory has to follow regulations relating to noise and disturbance based on local laws.

Aftermarket versions do not have such rules. So a louder warning makes for greater security. 

Summary

There are several ways to know if your car has an alarm system. If it does and it’s active, you can rest assured of your Jeep security.

If it doesn’t, aftermarkets are available as options. Enjoy your Jeep for many years of security. Knowledge is power, or dare I say, knowledge is security.