# Jeep won't start unless I disconnect and reconnect the battery

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/jeep-wont-start-unless-i-disconnect-and-reconnect-the-battery/111237>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** jeep, wranglerunlimited\
**Created:** [January 12, 2018, 10:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/jeep-wont-start-unless-i-disconnect-and-reconnect-the-battery/111237 "2018-01-12T22:52:17Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![gcljeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8491ac/32.png) [@gcljeep](https://community.cartalk.com/u/gcljeep)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2018, 10:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/jeep-wont-start-unless-i-disconnect-and-reconnect-the-battery/111237/1 "2018-01-12T22:52:17Z")

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Hi. I started having issues with my Jeep Wrangler after I noticed the door lock has been tampered with (looks like someone tried to open it with a screw driver). My jeep will start fine, but I cannot take it out of PARK. It’s only when I disconnect and reconnect the battery that the car will start and change gears properly. Any input will be greatly appreciated.  
Thanks

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**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2018, 11:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/jeep-wont-start-unless-i-disconnect-and-reconnect-the-battery/111237/2 "2018-01-12T23:35:54Z")

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If you have full coverage insurance talk to your agent. It is possible that your deductible might be less that the repair charge.

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**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [January 13, 2018, 1:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/jeep-wont-start-unless-i-disconnect-and-reconnect-the-battery/111237/3 "2018-01-13T01:16:59Z")

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Do you have electric door locks and/or an anti-car-theft system? If so then it may be more difficult to solve.

Not being able to shift out of P makes me think you’ve got a problem with the brake interlock safety system. You know, where you have to press on the brake pedal to get it out of P normally? Check to make sure your brake lights are coming on when you step on the brakes, that often provides a clue what the problem is for that.

The relationship with the battery disconnection, that’s a weird one. Seems like there’s a computer reset that’s needed, maybe to clear a problem with an electric door latch. Sometimes those use a servo gadget that gets into an unknown state that confuses the door circuitry, and needs to be homed to the initial position, during a reset. If so, the lock diddling may have damaged that device. You’d have to remove the door panel for a look-see.