Jeep Liberty Problem Codes and TSBs

jcarv76

My Jeep check engine light started to blink, and the engine is running really rough. From the posts listed, I found the problem codes: P0300, P0301, P0302, P0455, and P1196. The first three codes I saw listed in this forum as plug misfire codes. This would explain the rough running. However, any idea what the other 2 codes mean? I'm also having an issue with coolant level. The engine seems to be consuming coolant. I don't see any pools or leaks from any hoses or clamp areas. :confuse:

Jeff

john81

Check for any maintenance-gram pertaining to 2003 engine mis-fires. The Hayes or Chilton manuals for the Jeep Liberty should include a listing of computer fault codes.
A good technician should only see fault codes as a troubleshooting guide, not the root cause. Misfires could be anything from faulty wiring through the firewall, fouled plugs, defective computer chip, bad distributor cap or rotor, faulty spark plug wiring, weak fuel pump or fouled fuel filter, etc.
If there is an internal antifreeze leak into the cylinders, I would be looking for white smoke. Blue smoke for oil, White smoke for antifreeze. This would indicate a bad head gasket or the head is warped. Warped heads will distort the alignment of valve guides and any associated mechanics.
I would tell the technician to get the car off the diagnostic machine and into a maintenance stall and do some real troubleshooting.
John

jcarv76

John,
I got those problem codes using the key trick on the ignition. It ends up I have two bad cylinders. Fortunately, I only have 69000 on the car so the 70000 warranty is covering this.

Jeff

john81

Wow, 2 bad cylinder. Good thing its just under 70,000 miles.
Half of me is curious why those 2 cylinders (bad rings, faulty piston rods, improper clearance between bearings on the crankshaft, etc). The other part of me would only settle for a new engine, NOT a rebuilt engine or either a partial repair of the two faulty cylinders.
Since it under warranty, the dealership service department (in an ideal world) will fix it like new. But we don't live in an ideal world, but I hope the dealership does what is RIGHT, and not they can get away with.
John

jcarv76

John,
I didn't get the total details on what went wrong, and what they're planning on fixing. Good point on the new engine idea. I brought the car to the dealer, and frankly I've had it with them. I'm going to call them in a few minutes to discuss options. :mad:

Jeff

disgruntled6

I also had a bad cylinder. The "spring broke". Cost $1.14 for the spring - $350 for the labor. that was two weeks ago. Now I have a "catch/hiccup" when I deaccelerate. It stopped on me with no notice again this week - in a dangerous intersection. Garage/dealer has had it two days "can't find anything wrong". I'm picking it up tonight and will probably sell asap. NOT what I wanted to do!!

bigwilliesjeep

P0203,P1281,P0320,P0325,P0205,P0330,P0700..... My buddies jeep has all those codes, and he is blessing me with figureing out what they mean. Does anyone have and idea or a website i can go to to figure them out??? Thankyou...

tidester

I came across this but I don't know how reliable it is.

tidester, host

rjc23

Could you let me know the trick to reading the codes.

I Have an 03 with the check engine light coming on. I had the code read and all it said was misfire on #5. The light is on steady.

karenthomps

I have a 2002 jeep liberty that is also comsuming coolant. I had my jeep pressure tested and checked out for leaks and nothing showed up. I had a new head gasket and manifold and I'm still consuming coolant. Has your coolant problem been resolved yet?

xkmail

Send in 4 ounces engine oil for an analysis. They will tell you if it has high sodium or other contaminants, which will point to head gasket leak or engine block crack.

mdamick

Here is what I have from my new code reader:
P0203 INJECTOR CKT OPEN CYL 3
P1281 NOT DEFINED
P0320 IGNITION/DISTRIBUTOR ENGINE SPEED INPUT CKT
P0325 KNOCK SENSOR 1 CKT BANK 1
P0205 INJECTOR CKT OPEN CYL 5
P0330 KNOCK SENSOR 2 CKT BANK 2
P0700 TRANSMISSION CONTROL SYS (MIL REQUEST)

Maybe a bad plug in the harness?

bobbyk1

My daughter owns a 2002 jeep liberty and the check engine light came on and the speedometer and odometer do not work. She is away at college and I want to have an idea as to what might be the problem and the approximate cost of repair. She is bringing it to a dealer today. Does anyone have a similar experience.

jcbux

i have an 02 KJ with 93k miles and has recently been giving me headaches. the extent of my mechanical ability stops at changing fluids and plugs. check engine light comes on and i lose power. i pull off the road, turn the key off for a while and start up down the road again. it seems to happen going uphill, when i'm on the throttle. my garage (not a jeep dealer) has had my rig 5 times over the past month. their computer diagnostic has been the same every time - misfire #3 cyl. they replaced the coil and plug, but the problem remains and is getting worse. the local dealer can't get me in for 2 weeks. i've read the similar postings and i understand now the problem could be many things. this is my only vehicle and i'm limping it to and from work every day. unfortunately the warranty expired after 5 yrs. any advice?

thank you in advance,
jc

deepsouth1

Same happened to me at 80k miles, you have to replace the computer, because if don't it'll keep burning your coils. I see in this forum is a common failure, and is common they don't get it at a first glance(i went to a jeep dealer's service), they spent almost 4 weeks working on that.

:mad:

cbeal22

I have had my 02 liberty in the local shop 4 different times. The codes have always indicated misfires. I believe on the number 4 cyclinder. After running through several tests by switching ignition coils, cleaning injecters, plugs etc. The shop owners believes it is a problem with a PCM and the dealer can fix it. When I took it to the dealer and talked about the PCM, he gave me the it might be covered it might not be covered under the 8/80,000 Federal Emissions Warranty. Currenty, I have 69,000. Are there really different scenarios for when a PCM is covered or not?
:sick:

dannywon

I have a 2002 Liberty also and all I could say is good luck with the speedometer and engine light. I spend 3000 on it so far and have given up. No one can fix it. They tell me i need a new transmission but the transmission runs fine and Im not about to put in a new transmission for another $2700.
This is the worst problem I've had with a vehicle ever.

There is a lawsuit in the future on this problem for sure.

grumpyjw

Had the same problem. Turns out its a speed sensor on the back wheel. There are 3 sensors but only one that effects the speedometer and odeometer. Easy to change out and not too expensive. Grumpy

gysgtsmith

This is a useful site for diagnosing trouble codes:

http://www.obd-codes.com/

There are others too. Google search OBD 2 CODES

wahnsinn

Hi everyone, about a year ago my check engine light came on with both of these problems (O2 sensor & radiator fan control circuit), had both of them repaired and things were fine for a while. Now the light came on again...for the exact same things, same codes and everything. It's in being repaired again, but I'm curious what could keep causing these same two problems?

FYI, the exact two codes are:

P1491 Radiator fan control circuit problem (may be solid state relays as well as other circuits).
P0153 HO2S Slow Response Bank 2 Sensor 1

Thanks for any help!

Tim

wahnsinn

Got her back from the dealer yesterday afternoon. They ended up replacing the O2 sensor, radiator fan relay, and radiator fan relay connector. I asked the guy if he could guess as to what would cause these things to go bad since I had just (a year doesn't seem like a long time) had them both fixed. He of course said, "I don't know". So I just have to wait and see if they go bad for a third time...

barrycordero

My wife's Jeep Liberty has the same problem What was the outcome of your problems? Did you have to replace the PCM?

barrycordero

My wife's Jeep has the same problem. Was the PCM covered by the Federal Emissions Warranty or did you have to pay for it? What was the different scenarios for coverage?

cbeal22

The dealer said the pcm was fine. They did want to do a combustion chamber clean, new plugs, clean the injectors....a bunch of services for about $800. I agreed to about half of them and now the jeep runs fine. just keep crossing my fingers

barrycordero

Would you mind telling me how long it's been since you had the repairs? Any other problems with your jeep?
We're thinking of fixing, selling and starting over with something else. It's a little frustrating to have major problems after only 74,000 miles.

Thanks

02jeepwoes

My o2 Liberty had misfires also. The first was two years ago. Repair was made to the tune of $1300. One month later another cylinder went along with another $1300. I just passed 107,000 miles 2 weeks ago when the head gaskets blew! Good luck everyone...anybody know what a good jeep liberty body goes for with no engine obviously. I've had interest but don't know the value.
Thanks,
02jeepwoes

mjf1123

I have a v6 3.7L 2003 jeep liberty and the other day the car would not start. I tried jumping the car but with no success. I figured that my battery had died, so I had it tested. The battery was dead so I got a brand new one. My jeep ran fine for 2 days and now the battery is dead again. So I figure it's the altenator. I had the altenator checked but it's fine. I put the altenator back in the jeep and that's when I noticed that even with the car off and not running, when I touch the neg. battery cable to the battery, I noticed that the fan in the front is trying to move. So what can cause the car to drain the battery without the car running? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

barrycordero

It may be the computer. The PCM on my wife's liberty was causing the battery to drain and they replaced it. It was actually covered by the federal warranty so we didn't get charged. This was one of the few times i was glad I took it to the dealer.

lkarr

I purchased my 05 liberty in may of 08..three days after purchase, the dealership towed it back due to the tranny light being on.. couldn't find a problem!!! here it is almost 1 year later and the same light is on and they are trying to tell me it is on because it is the "check engine light" and I may need a catalitic converter and or fuel sensor...since when does a converter or fuel sensor have anything to do with a tranny light? I also have a terrible squeel comming from the front end...all brakes, rotors, callipers, and ball joints as well as new tires have been replaced but still there and very loud after running for awhile...can anyone help a girl out? what are these problems and how do I get them fixed....?????????????

lostinflorida

I found the problem. It was the right rear "down stream" o2 sensor. The wiring came loose from the clip and one of the wires rubbed and broke. I put the wire back together. Will the computer reset or did that most likely short the sensor??
HELP
Thanks

lkarr

I appreciate your response..Im my case it ended up be 2 bad oxygen sensors. The one before the cadilitic converter and the one after the converter...passed inspection and light has stayed out with no problems ever since.

bigbuck4u2000

any1 know what that code means?

tidester

That would be:

LOOSE FUEL CAP MESSAGE OR MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATION FOR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0457 - EVAP SYSTEM - LOOSE FUEL CAP. ( NHTSA ITEM NUMBER - 10019243 )

See our Maintenance, Recalls and TSBs page.

tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

bigbuck4u2000

was thinking thats wut is was thanks for your help.. :shades:

bobsram93

my liberty runs good has engine check light on checked codes po442 did tune up- oil change- checked for vacumn leaks reset .light goes off comes back on after driving.

arenee44120

:sick: My libby is going crazy! My car keeps shutting completely down. I will run for all of about miles and then shuts off. There is no warning signs just the sterning wheel locks up and the the engine light flashing. The battery died so i replaced it and had the same issues. The Libby was placed on a machine and this code came up. I was a Engine Speed Sensor Circuit. I dont know how much this cost or where it is located at. Is this a easy fix? Do anyone know a very good mechainic in Ohio? :sick:

nelson33

Had a similar problem with my wife's 03 Liberty. Got a P0452 (medium evap leak). Good thing I have my Chilton Jeep manual. P0452, 0455, and 0456 are leaks in the evap system. It's located in the rear to the front left of the gas tank. Small black box is the EVAP container. Has a couple of hoses running to it from the gas tank. With a flashlight, noticed one of the hoses was pretty split. Ordered a new hose from the dealer which unfortunately comes with the entire line that runs from the back to the front along the bottom driver side. Tedious to replace but got it done. However, you don't have to do that. Simply remove the rubber portion from the new tubing and replace the damaged piece only. In my case, the entire line cost only $25. Reset the computer by removing the neg battery terminal and the code is gone.........so far. It's a week later and no code. Get under the car and confirm if any tubes are damaged.

bobsram93

Thank you for answering.I think I found my problem the problem you were right there is that hose and one on drivers side firewall spit as well.I found it when I decided to replace all the hoses.Thank you

red40

i have a 02 jeep liberty and i bought it with a #2 cyl misfire and after taking off the pas side head i found the piston and combustion chamber (#2) destroyed! but the jeep still ran and ran well! so i bought a new head ($350) not from the dealer and a new piston ($85) and it runs like a champ now. got 5000 miles plus on the new parts and everythings ok. what happened is the #2 valve seat (stainless steel) came dislodged from the head (possibly from over heating) and when the valve closed on it it shattered destroying everything it touched! but fixable!

02jeepwoes

Thanks so much for the reply...it's sitting in the driveway waiting for repairs. I hate to get rid of it, having been spoiled with the leather heated seats. The subaru I bought to replace it doesn't have that luxury...but it runs!

catchell1

Code P0300 misfire detected. What could it be other than $2000. Engine runs rough on cold start up, Then seems fine after it warms up. Thanks for your advice.

wenandchuck

i have a 07 liberty the engine light keep coming on i took to have code read and it says o2 sensor high voltage had them clear it and 2 days later it came back on same thing any ideas
thanx for the help

tater5

My wifes jeep liberty will go dead at stop lite .or when stopped.No codes or anything show . after a minute or two it will start back . so far anyway Any ideas?

grammaging

Does anyone know what computer code P0158 stands for in a 2003 Jeep Liberty? We were out shopping and the engine light came on. My husband was turning the key and pressing the accelerator and this code showed up on the odometer. We havn't any problem yet but I assume something is brewing. Thanks

tnewt

Help, I have a 2004 Jeep Liberty. Has been a beauty for me. I've replaced 02 sensors left & right bank. I keep getting intermittent engine light, #1 thought bad gas seemed to clear up. Of late driving and vehicle engine will race, kind of buck, stall & restart. Engine continues to rev rpm's whether driving or sitting in park. Friend suggested may be vacuum seal(s) or cracked block. Not cracked block.
but I did notice onset of symptoms, if tank was low 1/4 tank gas, would rev. Also noticed when acting "funny" interior windows would frost-condensation. So, I tried running heat, thinking low tank, window condensation vehicle, no engine light, seemed to run fine...
Tonight, 1/4 tank gas typical acting funny time- I ran heat continously-no problems.

Does anybody have any idea what is going on-when engine revs, It's like gas pedal sticks-dangerous situation. Please advise :confuse:

jeepon

I have a 2005 liberty with the 2.8 l diesel. I have 2 codes that have poped up. The code p1250 is for VACUUM RESERVOIR SOLENOID OPEN CKT and the p0299 is for BOOST IN RANGE LOW. i have had issues with the EGR ckt in the past . hose splits, egr valve sticking open. and have been able to deal with them myself, I would like to check the p1250 problem out. but dont know where the unit is located. could use some help with verbal discription or diagrams.

dasboot72

Hi, I have been a Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep mechanic for 15 years. I am also the only diesel mechanic at my dealer. The P0299 Boost pressure sensor positive deviation, is a common code in the Liberty diesel. TSB # 25-001-05 Rev. A describes this condition. Essentially your PCM needs to be flashed (Reprogrammed) and the EGR valve replaced. The P1250 Vacuum Reservoir Solonoid open circuit DTC is also a code I've seen in the past. You most likely need a new Vac Res solonoid. It is located on top of the Vac Reservoir which is on the passenger side of the engine compartment. It is a kind of stepped cylinder with 2 vacuum lines going to it and an electrical plug. Hope this helps.

jeepon

Thanks dasboot72

This helps a lot, will driving till I get the issues resolve cause any damage to the engine/car or can i drive with the issues this way? I am away from home for work and can probably get the vacuum issue dealt with. Is the part for the p1250 issue dealer or auto parts store.

dasboot72

I doubt you will find that solonoid in the aftermarket, and most likely a dealer would have to order it due to the small number of Liberty dielsels on the road. Also as far as driving it goes, you may experience performance issues when the EGR sticks but no damage will result.

jeepon

I talked to the dealer ship and they had no clue what part I was asking for. I talked to the service dept. and they did not recognize the P1250 code (I don’t know why). Is the vacuum reservoir part of the egr control ckt. or would you a source to find a part number?

Thanks

dasboot72

I looked up the part myself and the problem is that parts catalogs call things different names than service manuals. The best thing you could do is locate the solonoid as I described it to you and see if it has a part number on it. Aside from that it looks to me like the parts catalog is calling it a Vaccum electric modulator. The Part Number for that is 52109543AA. I am about 95% sure that is the Vac Solonoid. Like I said though, try to see if a part number is on the old one, if not go with my part number.