Electronic key on 2008 jeep cherokee says key damaged or key not programmed. car won't start. some things work but radio won't come on. etc..

With a voltage meter see how many volts are at the starter terminal. If not 12+ volts you have a bad connection. Check connection at the starter solenoid. Does it have 12+volts? Short the solenoid. Does it put voltage to the starter?

Possible solution - This happened to me and my battery was dead in my key fob and also I needed an ignition switch because a piece on it was broken which therefore wouldn't turn to start the engine.

The radio and BCM needs read for codes. No reason for the radio not to work after a FOB program. Just a guess, but if the battery power was to low, radio is locked out.

replace your idle air control valve located back of the throttle body.

did you replace the ECu with a used one or new. if it a used one did you match it to the old.why di you change the ECU.? when you turn the key in the start position does the fuel pump turn on? does it crank? do you know if there is spark if you pull one spark plug wire?

sounds like maybe you need a starter... if you take it out you can take it to any auto parts store and they can test it for free.

when you state it wouldn't crank, do you mean the starter won't engage or that it just spins over and doesn't start? if no gauges or no starter engagement, then check the battery, battery connections,and the starter for excessive amperage draw. if the starter spins and the engine won't start, then check crankshaft position sensor first. the crank sensor is a more common failure than the distributor or any of the other things you mentioned.

Hi Hal,

Did you ever get this resolved? Looks like you didn't get any feedback here! I'm having the same issue sporadically. I turn the key and nothing. Usually if I keep trying it will eventually start cranking and start. Usually within 10 - 15 tries. happened last night. After it started, I got the "Service Security Key" message. I looked in the manual and it does say what that means. Don't know if it is programming (probably not because the fob works 97% of teh time) or maybe just a dying battery. If you can share anything you might have founf out I'd appreciate it! thanks!
Brian

it's highly unlikely, there are only two things that can make this happen, not getting fuel (fuel pump failure, fuel pump regulator) or not getting ignition (bad coils, ignition module failure, bad distributor, distributor cap, rotor)

This sounds like a bad chip in the key, try a spare key, if it starts with spare key then key is bad, if it doesnt start then you will need reprograming