2012 Jeep Liberty - Starting Issues only when towing Uhaul Trailer
jeep12liberty
Member Posts: 3
I am having an intermittent starting issue with my 2012 Jeep Liberty Sport (4WD/6 cyl) that ONLY occurs when towing a Uhaul trailer (the 6x12 enclosed cargo variety). I tow a boat just fine.
When starting car warm (like after getting gas or stopping for a few mins) it would attempt to start but is very rough sounding, but not turn over, lots of lights on dash. It always eventually turns on (after repeated starting attempts, sometimes after waiting a few minutes).
It seems to help somewhat (but not always) if I pull the trailer adapter out prior to shutting the engine down, then plug it back in after it starts.
Strangely, this problem temporarily resolved itself (for about a year, with many towing trips) after I replaced the factory 4pin adapter with an aftermarket. It has now recurred with the aftermarket adapter (and even another new aftermarket adapter).
Please HELP!
When starting car warm (like after getting gas or stopping for a few mins) it would attempt to start but is very rough sounding, but not turn over, lots of lights on dash. It always eventually turns on (after repeated starting attempts, sometimes after waiting a few minutes).
It seems to help somewhat (but not always) if I pull the trailer adapter out prior to shutting the engine down, then plug it back in after it starts.
Strangely, this problem temporarily resolved itself (for about a year, with many towing trips) after I replaced the factory 4pin adapter with an aftermarket. It has now recurred with the aftermarket adapter (and even another new aftermarket adapter).
Please HELP!
0
Answers
I'm not sure why it would cause a starting issue, but shorts/bad connections can have some really odd consequences, and you have to start somewhere
When ever dealing with electrical problems, always look at the common denominator or the thing that causes the problem, if it isn't part of the vehicle.
The fact that your boat trailer doesn't cause this problem, but the Uhaul trailer does, tells us that it probably has a direct short in the system.
Next time this happens, disconnect the trailer plug and if it immediately cures the symptoms, then you know the trailer is the problem.
Is the Uhaul trailer yours?
If it is, then you need to double check the wiring on it. If it isn't, then inspect the wiring carefully. As was said, bad wiring can do some really weird things.
Do you know who wired up the trailer? Could be that the wiring is wrong or a bulb is shorting or a host of many other things.
The trouble spot sure seems to be the Uhaul trailer wiring. Since you say it's the same connector, and assuming the connector at least appears to be in normal condition ( no obvious corrosion or broken/bent bits), then it seems likely that something in the wiring is the culprit. Maybe a short, maybe a bad connection or wrongly wired connection. But start at the connector and work your way all the way to the end of the circuit. Heck, it could even be a screwy tail light or socket,
When this is hard to start, diagnose it the same as any other no-start. First, find out what is missing, ignition, fuel injector pulse, fuel pressure, or a combination of them. Pull data from the PCM to see what the critical sensor inputs for starting the engine are reporting. Then once you know what is missing, or incorrect work to prove why.