dei 556cw, can't program.

I'm trying to program the 556CW for a '04 Jeep liberty. I'm using 2 separate key per the instructions. No luck. I have the red wire to 12v+ constant , and the blue to the 200ma status output from remote start. I also tried to ground it directly. Is there another method for programming? Should I replace the unit with something else? Any suggestions? Thanks.

First question :  Will the Jeep remote start if a working key is help up against the ignition cylinder?   This will verify the R/S is wired properly.

Next question :  Does the Jeep's Sentry light start to flash and you get a chime tone after the second working key is inserted and turned to ON for 10 seconds?  If it doesn't, then maybe you don't have two unique transponder keys ( one is a clone of the other ).

Another way to do it is get a plain $1.99 hardware store key made and use that with the 556CW chip held together with the plain key on the final step.

Soldering is fun!

1: Yes, the R/S works correctly with the key next to the ignition cylinder. 2: Sentry light looks like a yellow key with a "no circle", correct? Yes it blinks with a tone. Although, one of the keys is grey and one is black. Maybe you're right about one being a clone. "Another way to do it is get a plain $1.99 hardware store key made and use that with the 556CW chip held together with the plain key on the final step." Are you implying I did not have the chip in the right position? I must have tried it a dozen times.

Not really that, but using a plain key and chip without the R/S is the same as programming another transponder key.  Once the 556CW chip is accepted by the Jeep, you can continue with the R/S install.  Think the guide suggests holding the chip about 1/2 inch away from the key slot.

Personally, I like the Data style bypasses better.  Something like the Fortin INT-SL+, plus you only need one working key to program.

Look closely at the Black key to see if it's an aftermarket key.

Soldering is fun!

Any opinions on the "universal" type bypass?

Still prefer the Data style bypass.  Antenna placement,cold  temperatures and a lost / hidden key inside the box are the negatives for a Universal type bypass.  That being said, I remember doing an '06 Caravan ( work van ) with a $8 blank aftermarket  transponder key and a $15 "key in the box" that worked perfectly for many years ( probably still working but I sold the mini-van at 116,000 miles ).Soldering is fun!

If one key is a clone of the other, your only option might be a data-style bypass. Also, those "pellet" style bypasses (I hate them) are very hard to position correctly. Do you have yours already installed against the side of the key cylinder? If so, take it out from there for now. Try to program it by holding it right in front of the ignition keyhole. Only after you've got it programmed and working while holding it there, then play with placement. Also, I had something weird on the last 2004 Liberty I worked on. It had older-style Chrysler keys. Chrysler has two types of transponder. The first generation you'd see in the 300M, Intrepid, and so forth. Then around 2004 or so, they switched over to a different style. Key looks the exact same, but it has a letter S stamped on the metal blade near the head. 556CW is for the newer, S-chip keys. Would even work right up today, on a 2013 Wranger, for example. 555CW is for the non-S-chip keys.