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Jeep Grand Cherokee Maintenance and Repair

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Comments

  • mellis1mellis1 Member Posts: 12
    It sounds like you have a dead spot on your starter. It maybe that when the engine is shut off on this spot the magnetic filed does not make contact. A cheap trick would be to tap the starter with a hammer next time it won't start. Then retry starting it again. If this does a quick fix, it's your starter. Other than that it could very well be an electrical problem, from your ignition wire. Hope it's the starter, that's cheaper then searching for an electrical problem. Good luck.
  • loudjeeploudjeep Member Posts: 2
    my 96 limited does the exact same thing , did u ever find out how or what to fix?
  • loudjeeploudjeep Member Posts: 2
    my 96 limited interior lights come on after the vehicle is shut off ,all doors are shut and the factory alarm wont arm, lights stay on .....forced to pull fuse ......sucks real bad ........can anyone help?
  • ky_jeep_ladyky_jeep_lady Member Posts: 8
    thank u for that tip. i will try it the next time and hopefully thats it. i hope its not an electrical problem. i have already spent so much money on it. i was thinking the starter but i wanted 2 hear from some other people first before i go buy a new one. thank you if u think of anything else please let me know
  • carantcarant Member Posts: 1
    Are you sure the crankshaft position sensor was changed??? I had the exact same problem(it is common). the part is $50 from Autozone. It is in a tricky spot. If this sensor doesn't think the crankshaft is turning, it assumes the engine is not running and therfore no fuel, spark, etc is required. I would change it again myself, or watch somebody do it!!!
  • 2ejohnson2ejohnson Member Posts: 2
    THANK! I was afraid you would say that. My wife told me to do this several hundred dollars ago. :(
  • paulepaule Member Posts: 382
    Also check your battery. Buy a battery terminal cleaner and pull off the cables and clean the terminals and the cable ends really well.
  • bobbyvee007bobbyvee007 Member Posts: 5
    im looking into the factory alarm mod i herad its behind the glove box i cant arm my factory alarm either im on vacation wont get to it till end of july if if you figure yours out get back to this thread unplug the plug or cut the yellow wire this goes to the light mod
  • bobbyvee007bobbyvee007 Member Posts: 5
    i found this on the security
    1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Security Information
    Constant 12V+ Pink/Black Ignition Switch Harness
    Starter Yellow/Blue or Yellow Ignition Switch Harness
    Ignition Dark Blue/Gray Ignition Switch Harness
    Ignition 2 Red/Black Ignition Switch Harness (for AC)
    Accessory Black/Orange Ignition Switch Harness
    Tach Gray/White Coil
    Brake Switch White/Tan Brake Switch
    Trunk Pin n/a Works with Dome Light
    Parking Lights Blue/Red (+) Left of Steering Column or Light Switch
    Head Lamp Tan/Black Light Switch
    Factory Disarm Purple/Yellow (-) Driver's Kick Panel Black Connector at ECM
    Door Trigger Yellow (-) Driver's Kick Panel see notes
    Door Lock 5/Wire in Driver's Inside Driver's Door Orange/Purple Lock Pink/Black Unlock
    Door Unlock and Passenger's Doors Inside Passenger's Door Black/White L Pink/Black Unlock
    Horn Wire Gray/Orange (-) Steering Column
    Windows Up LF=Light Blue, RF=Brown/White, LR=Blue/White, RR=Gray/Black Doors
    Windows Down LF=White, RF=Purple/White, LR=Red/Black, RR=Green/White
  • rtidwellrtidwell Member Posts: 2
    Well, we got the Jeep back and it is better, but I am still feeling the hesitation and some stammering. We only drove it a short distance, but are leaving on vacation today. Pray we make it there and back.
    This was our third attempt at repair and according to AL lemon law we now have to contact the manufacturer for a final attempt at repair before we can start a lemon law file.


    R Tidwell
  • davismandavisman Member Posts: 1
    i had similar problem with my 99 jeep.... ended up being electrical... the electric fan was not coming on (mechanic said something about a relay or modulator or something like that)... check your electric fan to be sure it comes on as the engine temp goes up...
  • smiley3smiley3 Member Posts: 3
    Can anyone tell me how to get statistics on 2005 Grand Cherokee Jeeps that have had a gas petal stick causing the car to leap, increase speed and go out of control? The accelerator stuck on my 2005 grand Cherokee while I was in reverse, I was propelled over a hill and down a ravine nearly rolling 3 times, all while going backwards. Has anyone had problems with the accelerator sticking? Who do I contact about this defefct? Thank you for your response.
  • mstoverinkmstoverink Member Posts: 22
    I know a lot of people have had a problem with this and this is the most common/best fix I've heard of. There is a picture attached (hopefully it works)...sorry I can't remember who sent me the picture, I've gotten so many emails about this. Anyway, good luck.

    Pull back the top of the carpet under/behind the glove box of the front passenger floor board. You should not need to remove any molding for this. You should find a black/grey plastic piece with a circular shape at the bottom with a V shape coming out of the top (as shown in the picture). Drill a hole through the center of the lower circle part and you will be looking straight out the front (through the firewall) where the drain ends. You should be able to run a wire of some sort up through the drain hose to try to dislodge any blockage. Once any blockages have been removed, repair the hole that you drilled with some type of moldable rubber, plummers putty, or silicone, but make sure your make-shift plug doesn't block the inside of the drain tube.

    I hope this helps. Good Luck. -Mark.

    image
  • paulepaule Member Posts: 382
    Did it get caught on the floor mat?
    You can report the problem at www.nhtsa.dot.gov
    I will caution you on this however. There was a huge deal with Audi several years back and it was determined that people were pressing the gas pedal and brake pedal simultaneouly resulting in "unintended acceleration".
    This problem has been reported on numerous different vehicles since then and no vehicle has ever been found to have a problem.
  • ky_jeep_ladyky_jeep_lady Member Posts: 8
    we already checked the battery and its good. i dunno what it is i'm thinking the starter but i maybe wrong but thank you 4 the advice. hopefully i will find out soon. its driving me crazy.
  • mdaymday Member Posts: 5
    it is not the oil changes, or maintainance causing this problem i have had the oil changed at the dealer every 3000 miles, i even did it myself once with bottled dealer oil, i used to work at the dealer, and the mechanics said this is probably a computer program issue, and to wait until they fix it, i now have 13,000 miles the missing,surging is always there under even the slightest load just driving, one thing is i cant seem to get it to do it at all in first or second gear in all the 13,000 miles, and it only seems to get worse when its hot or when it rains dont ask me why just what i seem to have noticed.
    there is a different air sensing system on the 05 i dont know if this has something to do with it its not a mass air flow sensor its something else thanks for your input, although the people that do have this problem have already been through the oil issue thanks, mark
  • smiley3smiley3 Member Posts: 3
    Thank you Paule, I will keep your comments in mind. Thank you for the email address of where to send my complaint.
  • paulepaule Member Posts: 382
    You're welcome. I hope everything turns out ok for you.
  • paulepaule Member Posts: 382
    It could be the starter. The reason I mentioned the battery is that it is not uncommon to put a meter on the battery terminals or do a cell check on the battery and it will appear fine but you could have corrosion between the terminals and the cables and it will cause problems even though they look fine.

    Man, how's that for a runon sentence. :P
  • ky_jeep_ladyky_jeep_lady Member Posts: 8
    yea we did that its all clean. i dunno what it is. all i know is that when i leave home 2 go 2 a store i'm always praying that it will start back. thank u again. i apperciate the help :P
  • mellis1mellis1 Member Posts: 12
    I have a 2002 Jeep Cherokee, select-a matic. The issue I have with my jeep is that when after starting the engine and letting it idle. I shift it in reverse and I hear a clunk. I am not sure but it sounds like a bushing or a mount. Because it only does it in reverse, and not when I put it in drive. The trans, shifts good on the road, so I am reluctent to believe it's a bushing, that could be weak when the engine torque is in reverse. Has anyone ever experienced this with there jeep, and what was the cause. Because I am going to take it to the dealer and ask them, about it. I would appreciate it very much if someone could give me some insight to this issue. :confuse:
  • 97gjcowner97gjcowner Member Posts: 5
    no, scoppus5, we have not found a fix. we purchased an ecm from a salvage yard off another 97 jeep gc, but when we installed it the jeep started and immediately stalled. it wouldn't run with it. the numbers were almost the same but we were told the single letter that was different was irrelevant. o'reilly's auto parts said a new one will be $270 and take 10 days to order, but won't need to be flashed. the dealer says it does need to be flashed. o'reilly's says the other computer may work if we reset it after it's installed, but disconnecting the negative wire from the battery did not reset it. not to make it work, that is. we've replaced the crank and cam sensors twice, the o2 sensor twice, the iginition coil, the fuel pump and all the other things i mentioned originally. we can't imagine there is anything left other than the ecm, but we hate to drop yet another $300 on a part that isn't faulty.

    i can find several sites on the internet where people are asking the same question and not one person has ever supplied an answer. our jeep has 175,000 miles and retiring it is not an option right now. we've just come to accept that we will stall while driving 65 down the interstate in downtown houston. we lose complete power and don't always make it to the shoulder if traffic is thick and houston has a tow law. if we leave it, they take it.
  • 97gjcowner97gjcowner Member Posts: 5
    my crank sensor was replaced twice. no luck. jeep still stalls while driving down the interstate. we've noticed, though, that it takes about 15 miles. we're thinking it's an engine temperature thing.
  • mborinmborin Member Posts: 1
    I have a 95 JGC that is taking in water on the front and back floorboards(Passenger Side). It can't be from the A/C though, it only happens when it rains. I took it to the dealership and they said there was no problem and the rubber seal on the doors were fine. Anyone have a problem like this?
  • mstoverinkmstoverink Member Posts: 22
    Check out the picture in message 1550. Find that circle/V shaped thing and see if there are any cracks around it. I know you say it can't be from your A/C, but that thing goes right through the firewall and has been known to be cracked and to leak. It is a drain from the A/C, and it may be connected to the vents infront of the windshield which could explain why your floorboards get wet when it rains. To be honest, I really don't know, but others had wet floors and fixed a crack there and no longer had wet floors. Use silicone caulk or something similar if there is a crack...good luck.
  • steve279steve279 Member Posts: 7
    Fan failure on 99 - 00 Jeeps is common. Disconnect your battery cables and carefully bypass the relay with leads from the battery to the fan. You can access the fan leads at a connector on the passenger side of the radiator. Chances are the fan will start slowly, if at all. If it doesn't start, remove the shroud and fan and manually spin the fan. When you spin the fan, it probably will not spin freely and if that is the case it should be replaced. A new motor is about $100 wholesale.

    Note that the relay is bolted to the passenger side inner fender low on the inside of the fender. Access to the relay involves either removing the headlight assembly and/or the battery and battery tray. It is fairly difficult to get to the relay.

    I completed this repair just three weeks ago. The fan has started normally since then. The repair was complete at 115K miles on a 2000 JGC.
  • steve279steve279 Member Posts: 7
    I have this as well on my 2000 JGC with 115k miles. When new, the noise was not as audible but then developed over time. The noise is probably due to the driveline taking up the lash in components when you change gears. (Components wear over time introducing some additional clearance in gears and other parts)

    Back in the days when most cars were rear drive, it was not uncommon to hear such noises. Unless you start hearing some grinding or howling from the back end, it's not likely that you will need repairs.
  • wdg01wdg01 Member Posts: 2
    Whoever replied that it may be the crankshaft sensor is dead on! Sounds exactly
    like what was happening to my jeep.YES it was intermittant,YES my jeep did the same thing. I did the test that the Haynes manual suggested and my sensor failed miserably. It can be done at home if you are mechanically inclined, but as the other reply didn't tell you was that you have to do this under the car. It is located
    above the transmission bell housing on the left side of the BACK of the block
    (as you are sitting in the drivers seat). A swivel socket on a very long 1/4 inch drive ratchet would have made the job a whole lot easier!
  • wdg01wdg01 Member Posts: 2
    If your Jeep has over 100,000 miles, YES it is a good idea to replace the radiator if it is plastic. A plastic radiator will always leak about this age. This goes for other vehicles as well (Honda cars) If you want to get it replaced, make sure the one you get has METAL tanks on the side (or top.) They, (in my experience) seem to last longer. When you replace the radiator DO flush the system first. DO use DISTILLED water only! (it has zero metals/contaminates) it will make your cooling system last longer. I own a 94 Cherokee.(just plain Cherokee) I will never trade this vehicle. 106,000 miles and still strong! I'm also particular, as I am a mechanic, no one touches my Jeep other than the guys who align my front end, or change and rotate and balance my tires. Timing belt or no? A quick glance in my Haynes manual tells me I have a timing chain. I have a in-line (or straight) six cylinder 4.0
  • mellis1mellis1 Member Posts: 12
    Thanks for the information. I went to the dealer today 7/8/05, and he tells me it is common to hear that from a jeep. He also told that his liberty jeep does the same thing. I don't get it, it confuses me. That this squeak or clunk is normal. I did some research, on another web site W.J jeeps.com, and found out the (squeak or squawk as they call it) noise is probably from the front or back stabilizer bushings. On this web site they also give TS . They mention in one of their suggestions is to lubricate the bushing, it seems that jeeps between the year 1999 thru 2003 only need lubrication. But 2004 need to be replaced. I am going to try and spray some lubrication lube on the bushing and see if that fixes the squeak or clunk. Because it's a little hard for me to believe that a 2002 jeep with 57 K would give a wear problem in the trans. I will let you know the out come.
  • denbedenbe Member Posts: 1
    We have a 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee that I believe has a part time shimmy in the front end caused by the all time four wheel drive hardware in the transmission locking up. Since the rest of the car is in excellent shape, is normally only driven a few thousand miles a year, and four wheel drive is not needed, does anyone know if removing and driving the car minus the front drive shaft is possible, or is the yoke assembly in the transfer case removable (thereby letting the gear oil run out?) Thanks for any help. <:)
  • mtomassimtomassi Member Posts: 2
    i have a 99 jgc 45000 miles,never a problem with the exeption that last week i did not drive the car for 2 days and when i tried it would not start,i got a boost from a neighbor since i knew that the baterry was only 3 months old and it started right away BUT now my speedometer,tachimeter and left back breaking light does not work,the rest is perfect.
    checked the fuses they are ok.
    any ideea?
    or if anybody had the same kind of problem what is the cost aprox.
    i just service the car after the manual,the rest is all foreign for me.
    thank you,
  • pmf65pmf65 Member Posts: 2
    I know this may seem like a stupid question, but I am new to the jeep world and have never had this problem. I have a 96 grand cherokee laredo and I can't remove my rear tire. I have never had a 4 wheel drive before, and this one has select-a-trak, I don't know if there is anything I need to do to be able to remove the tire, or if there is some kind of lock that I am not aware of, or if it is just so rusted on that I can't get it loose? I told you it was a stupid question, but mean while I am stuck with a flat tire.
  • pmf65pmf65 Member Posts: 2
    mine was doing that for a while, off and on, and finally it just wouldn't start at all, unfortunatly it ended up being my fuel pump, hopefully yours is something easier
  • div2div2 Member Posts: 2,580
    I know first hand that BMWs with alloy wheels have a similar problem; the dissimilar metals of the wheel and hub interact which fuses them together. If you can pump up the tire I'd try installing the lug nuts finger tight and driving the GC in several figure eights. That will usually break the wheel loose. If you can't inflate the tire you will have to loosen the wheel by whacking on the back side with a big hammer-use a block of wood to cushion the wheel and prevent any dents or gouges. That said, I'd be very hesitant to try this procedure if the truck is only held up by the emergency jack; I'd want the car on a good pair of jack stands. In any event, once the wheel is off you can prevent future problems by cleaning the mating surfaces of the hub and wheel with a wire brush followed by the application of a thin coating of anti-seize paste.
  • ggibsonggibson Member Posts: 2
    I have a '94 GC with 74K miles on it. My engine is overheating, and I can't figure out what the cause might be. No emergency lights have come on on the dash, but the temperature gauge is going all the way up to 270 deg after a short time of running it (even just idling). The odd part is that the heater is putting out cool air (not hot at all), and the radiator cap is not hot to the touch. The engine is also running a bit rough--not idling well and sometimes accelerates hesitantly.

    I checked the fluids and all seemed to be within acceptable range. The engine coolant was maybe a little low, so I added some new coolant but it still overheats. Any insights into what the problem might be, and if I need to take it in to the shop?
  • xscoutxscout Member Posts: 141
    Sounds like your thermostat is not opening. If the hot engine water can not get to the radiator it would stay cool and the heater also would not put out heat do to the lack of coolant circulation. This is an inexpensive and easy repair, just do it after the engine is cool.
  • crookstercrookster Member Posts: 40
    About 2 days ago all of my windows wouldnt roll up or down this is when the car was on. I took out the key and put it back in and it still wouldnt work. So i left the car in the parking garage. The next day i put in the key and the car wouldnt start up. It took me 5 trys to start up the car. I just had the 15k service done at the jeep dealership for $650. :mad: , but I understand that you must take care of the car so that was not a problem. Can somebody please tell me what is wrong. Also i have taken in the car for a/c problems (twice), rotor problems (twice), and electrical problems (once) can this car classifiy as a lemon in NY? The truck only has 16k on it. plz help
  • huffologyhuffology Member Posts: 1
    I have an intermittent problem with the marker lights on my 1996 Jeep GCL. When I turn on the lights, the fuse blows immediately. I've checked bulbs, wires and replaced the headlight switch. After the fuse blows, braking or activating the turn signal will make the dash lights illuminate intermittently. Does anyone understand this problem or know of a way I can troubleshoot???
  • ky_jeep_ladyky_jeep_lady Member Posts: 8
    no its not my fuel pump i can hear it when i turn the key on even if it dont start. i'm pretty sure its the starter now. i'm gonna go buy 1 and i hope it fixes my problem. thank u 4 ur help.
  • deniseadenisea Member Posts: 2
    I own a 1999 jeep grand cherokee V8, I have to replace the CV Joints on this. I have the part on order, and am just wondering what it actually takes to replace this yourself. Since I have owned my jeep I have had to put over 5000 into it on problems I have had. I have no more money to put into it, and have to replace these myself. HELP ME PLEASE!
  • deniseadenisea Member Posts: 2
    Also I am wondering if there is such thing as an inner and outer CV Joint..... Someone I know mentioned this to me but it just doesnt sound right?
  • tokentoken Member Posts: 5
    Tell them to check the torque converter. I just had mine replaced and it was making the exact same sound.
  • tokentoken Member Posts: 5
    Hello. I just got my 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee back from the dealership. They had it for 2 weeks to replace the torque converter. I called Chrysler customer service and told them they lost two Jeep customers (between family members we have owned 6 Cherokees). The rep said "well that's your choice". Unbelievably rude.

    Lucy Samuels
  • keni76keni76 Member Posts: 3
    My car has been at the garage for almost a week now. When I brake, it seems to "pop" just before the car completely stops. And when I take my foot off the brake, it doesn't roll forward with the power that it should. Garage says it is starting out in 2nd gear, and not dropping into 1st when I stop like it should. But the garage and a transmission shop that they took it to have been unable to figure out why. No computer codes, etc. We decided to change the transmission fluid and filter to see if that helps. It's at 43000 miles. 2WD V6. I've never changed the fluid, but I bought it used 2 years ago and don't know what happened before that. Has anyone seen this before and have any ideas?

    I've already had the rotors resurfaced and had to replace a power window motor. Fuel pump needs to be replaced too but I don't have $500 right now. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
  • mstoverinkmstoverink Member Posts: 22
    Unfortunatelly I don't have much experience with Jeeps as I just bought my 97 JGC about 2 months ago. But on a vehicle I owned previously (little 4 banger import) I had to replace my CV joints also. I knew nothing about them or how to do it until I asked around on some forums, some parts stores, and also two local mechanics. The answer I got every time was to replace the axels. Keep in mind, this was a front wheel drive import, not a 4X4 SUV, but I think mechanically it's pretty much the same. Basicly, there is a right axel and a left axel. Both axels have two cv joints. On each axel, there is a cv joint near the wheel and there is also a cv joint near the front differential. If one joint is bad, it puts a more stress on the other joints and they may wear out soon also. If you just want to rebuild the CV joint it is *probably* the one near the wheel, but my suggestion would be to replace the axel.

    Check out your local parts stores and local mechanics. I found a parts store (AutoZone, I think) that had factory rebuilt axels for my car for about $60 each (I had to return the old axels so they could turn them back in) and they guaranteed the part. Most mechanics don't want to do the work unless you're buying the parts from them as well. But I found one that would do it and would still guarantee the maintenance. Anyway, to have both front axels replaced cost me about $220 for parts and maintenance, good as new. My suggestion would be to check out parts stores and mechanics and get some quotes. If you can't afford it, go spend $15 and get a Haynes Repair Manual from the auto parts store and check out the steps to replace or rebuild the axel or the joint or whatever. But looking at my manual, it looks pretty involved. Hope this helps. Good luck.
  • fifthfifth Member Posts: 6
    I have a 2005 Jeep GCL with the 5.7 Hemi. It has the NAG1 German 5 speed automatic in it. Shortly after I got it in Dec 2004, I noticed that at 60 MPH, sometimes the tac would read 2100 RPM and sometimes it would be at about 1750. I took it back to the dealer and after going for a ride with their diagnostic computed hooked up to it, I learned that the transmission does not shift into 5th gear until about 63MPH(100KM in metric). The torque converter also has lock up abilities in 3rd, 4th, and 5th. which made things a little harder to understand but the diagnostic computer clarified what was going on. I felt that it should be shifting into 5th gear at 45-50 like most vehicles do. The dealer was not sure and called Chrysler. They said that my transmissision is operating as designed. At 13MPG, it sure would be nice to have it shift sooner since the Hemi plays with the vehicle but it as it stands, it will spend most of its life in 4th gear. Has anyone else experienced this?
  • chellet66chellet66 Member Posts: 2
    I'm curious if you replaced the BCM and if it fixed the problem, and if not what did? I'm having the same problem, but it gets worse. My A/C isn't working either and the windows won't go down. It's 95 degrees here. HELP PLEASE!
  • stevezjstevezj Member Posts: 1
    Hello, I'm new to this forum, anyway I currantly own a 1998 5.9 grand Cherokee. I 'm having a minor electrical problem, and was wondering if any other fellow 5.9 owners had the same thing happen and what the solution was........My instument cluster quits at random, and when it does I lose all power options like the windows and locks....then at random it comes back on, the only thing I notice in common, is that my air bag idiot light came on and stays on........can anyone shed some light on this?
  • keni76keni76 Member Posts: 3
    I'm going to answer my own post in case it helps others. The garage changed the transmission fluid, gasket, and filter. This year model uses synthetic tranny fluid, so it was more expensive, but completely resolved the issue. It was crazy, but I'm happy to know it wasn't something more expensive than that!
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