My KJ .. the lemon. Someone plz help with current issues

[vesh1717]

Without going into too much detail, because quite honestly I can't remember all of the things that have gone wrong with my Jeep.... actually I will tell you what I can recall. It is an 06 Renegade model btw.

First, this is what is going on right now.
1. Malfunction light blicks on and off from time to time
2. Battery dies VERY quickly. If I leave music on at camp to listen to, it won't start after about 45 mins. Which is NOT how it used to be, or should be. It will just make a bunch of clicking noises, and then I need to get it jumped. Then it is ok until I use the battery for more than 30 minutes. I know you will say, just don't do that, but come on. It obviously isn't charging properly or something. Any ideas??
3. Rear window latch would not close for about 3 days. The latch was stuck in the closed position, but the window was open. I had it tied closed, but I finally got it closed and I have left it like that ever since. It is clearly on its way out too.
4. Air conditioner/blower motor issues. This one is really weird. It has been doing this for about 1.5 yrs now. I will try my best to explain. From time to time this happens. The blower motor will be on (you can hear it going full), but no air will be coming out of the vents. It sounds like a plugged hose, or unplugged hose, but then it will work after maybe 30 mins. Then go on/off like that for awhile. Also, when no air is coming out of the vents you can hear the air blowing under the passenger side dash, and the metal under there gets very cold. SO obviously it is blowing under there. I just don't get why it works sometimes, and not others. I have had it into the dealerships 3 times for this issue, without any success obviously. FRIGGIN ANNOYING.


Someone please help me out if you have any ideas. This is also to vent, because I have had nothing but problems with this jeep. Here is the list, from what I can remember. I have had this for 2 years keep in mind. Brand new... only 35K kms on it right now... still a baby.

the list
- rear window rattling
- steering wheel clicking
- stalling out of nowhere when RPMs went under 1k (it was a pain in the *** to drive around downtown Toronto like this LOL)
- 3 broken automatic windows
- moaning/creaking from the brakes? (i think it is the brakes)
- cruise control was broken for about 6 months.. in and out of the dealership to keep getting it fixed

I think there are 2 more, but I forget. I contacted Jeep and pled my case to no avail. All I want is a bit of extra warranty because this is gonna cost me about 5k once the warranty is up. Is there anything I can do??? I love my Jeep, but it might be time to cuts my losses and sell it.
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[ms5490renegade]

ok that shtuff happened to me. the rear latch had a recall. the air problem may be the cords not being plugged in all the way. on my way to kings island the a/c stopped coming out. it was trying but wasnt. i too the middle panel out and the plug to the back of the selector wasn't all the way in

 

[vesh1717]

ok that shtuff happened to me. the rear latch had a recall. the air problem may be the cords not being plugged in all the way. on my way to kings island the a/c stopped coming out. it was trying but wasnt. i too the middle panel out and the plug to the back of the selector wasn't all the way in

Well then you would think the dealership could fix mine then right? WRONG... been there 3 times, not kidding one bit. Going in for a fourth in a week. That's why I am asking these questions. People here know more then the mechanics at the dealerships. Thanks.

 

[moparman]

The battery terminals should be cleaned ASAP. With a terminal cleaner brush made for the job. Just a few $$$ at any parts store. After that, the battery should be checked. Let it charge it fully and check each cell with a hydrometer. You can get a battery testing hydrometer for a few $$$ at a parts store, too. Sometimes batteries will fail regardless of age but your clicking noise could be dirty terminals. The alternator can be checked easy enough with a multi-meter. Measure at the battery terminals with engine running, should be about 13.5 volts. It's not the most thorough test but good enough. IMO most "lemons" are made by a bad dealership.

 

[tjkj2002]

rear window rattling
- steering wheel clicking
- stalling out of nowhere when RPMs went under 1k (it was a pain in the *** to drive around downtown Toronto like this LOL)
- 3 broken automatic windows
- moaning/creaking from the brakes? (i think it is the brakes)
- cruise control was broken for about 6 months.. in and out of the dealership to keep getting it fixed

-rear window---just needs to be adjusted
-steering wheel clicking---ethier the turn signal cancel tang or the SRS clock spring is bad
-broken window regulators---common on '05+ KJ's,get used to it
-moaning brakes--normal,get used to it
-cruise---luxury item,don't need it
-stalling--could be a number of things,what kind of maintance do you do and are you buying the cheapest gas out there? Need more info.
-malfuction light flickering---big problem there,might be related to your stalling problem
-battery dying---get a new battery,simple as that
-blower problems---vacuum supply problem,might be related to your cruise problem also


Some problems are not easy to diagnose or fix if they do not act up when a tech is testing it,if it doesn't do what you are complaining of a tech can not fix it since there is not a problem present.You can't figure these issues out yourself,how should a tech if it isn't acting up when they have it? I know these complaints all to good as being a tech for 12 years.Don't blame them,intermitant problems are a *****.

 

[2003KJ]

On the stalling, have the dealer check for a TSB on this issue. I had a similar problem with my 03...it would stall sometimes when coming to a stop, but more so when changing from reverse to drive (didn't matter if I was sitting still or still creeping along in reverse). Brought it to the dealer, they found a TSB on the issue, flashed the computer, and it's been problem free ever since.

Rear window latch...there was a recall on this. I know for a fact that the late 2003's and a good number of 2004's were covered under this....not sure if it continued on the later years or not. The problem is water would get inside the latch, short out the lock, and cause the glass to open randomly. I'd walk out to the garage in the morning to go to work and find the glass open. In your case, I would have to wonder if maybe some water got in there and caused the lock to short out and "lock up" in the lock position.

CEL---next time it blinks or comes on, go to Autozone and have them scan it (they will do it for free). See if they can pull a code off it, if they can, it will tell you what's wrong.

Vents - Like TJKJ mentioned, more than likely a vacuum issue, and may just be why your cruise control isn't working either.

Get a new battery. Average life for the stock batteries on KJ's is about 3-3.5 years....if you get much more than that, consider yourself very lucky. I got about 4 years out of mine, and replaced it one day after it almost didn't crank up in the middle of winter.

 

[VTNomad]

Battery

Your battery not charging could also be a prolem with the alternator. I'd swap out the battery first, and if that didn't fix things, I'd have the alternator tested.

 

[cdh1125]

Drive it to autozone or advance and have them check the battery and the alternator

 

[vesh1717]

Thanks for all of the answers... I am bringing it into the dealership next week, and this way I can explain things a bit further. It is just frustrating b/c they never seem to be able to fix everything. Maybe 1 out of 3. If anyone else has more ideas, please keep em coming. More info the better.

 

[KJ04]

Try taking it to a different dealership.

 

[ShafferNY]

Engine stalling......cruise control not working......HVAC selector not working correctly.....sounds like there is a vacuum leak somewhere. This could explain all these symptoms.

 

[vesh1717]

I have to revive this thread because something new is happening now. This is even weirder.

The A/C is stuck on even when the A/C button isn't pressed, BUT.....
ONLY when it is blowing out of the windshield (defrost) blower. (the front one). When it blows at feet, or towards you, it is off. I hope this makes sense. Basically, I have to leave the blower completely off to keep the A/C off sometimes. No wonder my mileage has been so low lately. Keep in mind this is an 06... what a pile of junk it is becoming. lol


Any ideas? It is going to the dealership Wednesday, but I don't expect any fixes. Thanks guys.