What did you do to your jeep today?

[Deb'nKJ]

Finally, got that exhaust clamp back on as it should be, still louder than I expected - but at least it's coming from the tailpipe. Hasn't put out the CEL though, so, in a sense I'm no further forward.

Thought I'd try the spare ABS sensor on the other side - but it means taking the battery tray out again, & I really can't be bothered; it'd be different if I knew that'd knock that dash light.

Yesterday, I found the missing front brake pad, so with an hour or so to spare, I set about fettling the ends so it would comfortably fit.

So with all that work done, it's a shame the scrap yard gates are looming ever closer. I do know someone who'll do the diagnostics at mates' rates, but I can't imagine when - unless I can leave it at his place one weekend for him to look at in his own time.

 

[Doing10to20]

It's always hurry up and wait

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[Erskine]

Today my new 74 AH battery is arriving, the one that came with the truck was the wrong one, only 50 AH and although it made it through the first batches of sub zero temps, the mini cold snap this week finally killed it off. I've still got the intermittent (bush?) squeak from the front left, I'm sure it is linked to driving through all our flooding.

 

[Will_K]

So I think it was last weekend I started on some tune-up stuff. The plan was replace spark plugs, pcv valves, and 2 Oxygen seonsors that had been giving codes. That was the plan.

In practice, I replaced the spark plugs and then I unboxed the PCV valve, and then I learned there's a newer stule with a big metal threaded thing that needs a 34 mm socket, and that's what I have, along with a hose where the rubber elbow likes to tear, which I also have. By this time it was dark and the parts stores were closed - and it was a Sunday, so I wouldn't have gotten one anyway until I could get to the dealership.

I did that at lunch time Tuesday and the hose was a quick swap, that's all I had time for until today.

So, today I wanted to check if it was the left or right bank of O2 sensors that needed replacing. I cleared codes and ran the engine, only to find no O2 codes. What I did have was an air temperature sensor plug. I had pulled the intake and forgot to plug it in.

So what I did today was plug in the air temperature sensor, and now - no check engine light!

 

[Deb'nKJ]

Today my new 74 AH battery is arriving, the one that came with the truck was the wrong one, only 50 AH and although it made it through the first batches of sub zero temps, the mini cold snap this week finally killed it off. I've still got the intermittent (bush?) squeak from the front left, I'm sure it is linked to driving through all our flooding.

I'm surprised that toy battery ever turned the engine over fast enough to start it - just goes to show what you can get away with.

Squeaks from the front are often anti-roll (sway) bar bushes, although if it's one side that seems less likely, still worth a shot (e.g. WD40 - or silicone furniture polish) though.

Now, yesterday I started on diagnostics for the errant CEL & ABS lights. CEL light seems to be due to an O2 sensor which the SnapOn scanner only identifies as "1" - which is where? Not overly helpful! There was then a wild goose chase looking for a fuse which the heater circuit might have - but doesn't! What's odd about this is all the sensors appear to be relatively new & I didn't have a problem 'til I re-fitted them after having the exhaust welded.

Similarly, the ABS light has only been on since fitting a new one (to replace the one I destroyed, trying to remove it).

Oh, how I hate modern cars with all these gimmicks no one needs (except legislators & accountants) - if only CJ's were affordable (sigh!).

 

[Johnny O]

A big ol' mess of parts and materials were just delivered...
Weather finally warmed up.
Field season starts in just 13 days.

First stop: the cretaceous period limestone of Kansas for aquatic megafauna fossils, gear testing, and solitude.

Gonna have fun with a portable DNA sequencing lab too.

 

[lfhoward]

Sounds good Johnny. Do you have any new mods for your Liberator before the field season this year, or is it just maintenance this time?

 

[Deb'nKJ]

So another £20 diagnostic session, but can't complain as didn't text the guy 'til gone 7 o' clock Wednesday & he phoned yesterday morning to say come round 10:00-10:30 today, given he's semi-retired so doesn't work Fridays normally - never mind Good Friday.
This time the O2 sensor was positively identified, but my research told me bank 1 was on the right - & now I know it's not, which means it's the hybrid XJ/KJ one that's bad (s'pose shouln't be surprised really, although it tested OK with a meter). What this means is, of course, I've changed the wrong one - with another D-i-Y lash-up, which I'll try & undo tomorrow. I've just ordered another one, but it won't be here 'til May 3, presumably from China. Could've got a universal one for a ridiculous £13.50 - but I've had enough of splicing wires, thanks very much.

Also identified the ABS problem: it's the other front sensor! Now why that should've failed while not being used is another mystery but, seems my luck's changed with this. Having done all the dismantling to get to the connector I plugged in the spare, which some may remember, in the event, only cost me £4.00-odd, hooked up the battery with jumper cables, turned the key, the ABS light flashed on - & went out! Compared the 2 & the new one (originally bought for the other side) is only about 1" shorter, so should be in business (although plugging it in might be a bit of a struggle), just need to finish drilling out the remains of the sensor.

 

[wheeee32]

should only of been one end

Which end? Top or bottom?

 

[Will_K]

So I think it was last weekend I started on some tune-up stuff. The plan was replace spark plugs, pcv valves, and 2 Oxygen seonsors that had been giving codes. That was the plan.

In practice, I replaced the spark plugs and then I unboxed the PCV valve, and then I learned there's a newer stule with a big metal threaded thing that needs a 34 mm socket, and that's what I have, along with a hose where the rubber elbow likes to tear, which I also have. By this time it was dark and the parts stores were closed - and it was a Sunday, so I wouldn't have gotten one anyway until I could get to the dealership.

I did that at lunch time Tuesday and the hose was a quick swap, that's all I had time for until today.

So, today I wanted to check if it was the left or right bank of O2 sensors that needed replacing. I cleared codes and ran the engine, only to find no O2 codes. What I did have was an air temperature sensor plug. I had pulled the intake and forgot to plug it in.

So what I did today was plug in the air temperature sensor, and now - no check engine light!

Well that didn't last. LOL. CEL came back, I spent a little time looking at O2 sensor videos hoping there was some magic trick to reaching the plug for the left bank upstream O2 sensor because I started in thinking I'd have to replace both left O2 sensors and I can't get my hand up there. Having found no magic tricks, I decided to sit and look at live data with my harbor freight OBD2 tool and it was clear that it was getting data from all O2 sensors except the left bank downstream sensor. Thankfully the plug is easy to reach. Getting that bugger to turn was another story. With an O2 sensor socket, I just managed to turn corners.

So I plugged my new sensor in and confirmed I was getting a different result, so at this point I'm pretty sure the O2 sensor is bad. So I cut the plug so I could put a box wrench on, that did the job, and now I once again have no CEL and I feel reasonably confident I should be good now.

Oh yeah, I also replaced u-joints on the rear drive shaft. I had to get another used drive shaft from salvage because mine was a bit too screwed up. One of my caps blew out when I pressed it out and left a burr that I didn't want to risk that it'd damage the new u-joint. Just about every single retaining clip was rusty and broke trying to remove it. But what the heck, these are the things you get through only by persisting when you feel like giving up.

(To be honest I was wanting to run to the junkyard and get another drive shaft just so I could drive the libby until I got through the project - but I couldn't because the wife and daughter were out to the store with the other car, so I was stuck at home and got through it by the time they got back)

 

[duderz7]

Recently replaced all 4 of my o2 sensors. The one you replaced is the only easy one.

 

[tommudd]

Started up the 03 and went for a ride , checking fence line around the pasture fields. First time Ive been in for 3 months

 

[Deb'nKJ]

Recently replaced all 4 of my o2 sensors. The one you replaced is the only easy one.

Ain't it the truth? Had to replace the left upstream one on mine yesterday, must've spent well over an hour trying to unplug it; removing it was the easy bit, but it's probably only a couple of years old - & I only re-fitted it last weekend (or maybe the one before).

S'pose might as well make that the intro. to the post I was going to make.

Today? Not a lot, drove around a bit marveling at the continued absence of warning lights.

Saturday: finished replacing the left front ABS sensor (my drill batteries died too near the end of the "working" day to finish drilling out the old one after one was charged). Actually, that wasn't too bad & as it seems it is the right one that is longer (dunno why, but I was convinced it was the other way round) so routing & connecting it wasn't the performance I'd anticipated. By far the worst part was replacing the battery tray (must be the first time something that was more difficult the second time round), I finally took a hacksaw to it, thus making it a little smaller & significantly less awkward. Couldn't wait to turn the key & see it flash on - & go out.

Yesterday, the O2 sensor - see above - in the end, I unscrewed it, drew the wire forward & unplugged it in the wheelwell, where it was visible & just about possible to grip both halves of the conector. Then the real fun part, undo all the very professional splicing (of the XJ pre-cat sensor & KJ plug) & did my best to replicate the soldered joints to attach the sensor from the other side (I'd used but joints on that, mainly because I couldn't find my shrink wrap). Re-assembly was remarkably straight forward because I'd now learned that by encircling the axleshaft with my arms I could hold the socket with my right hand, so only had to get my left arm up alongside the cat to reach the plug &, now being familiar with the components connecting them by feel was no big deal.

At last, time to crawl out from under the Jeep, reach through the window, turn the key - & see that same blamed light glowering at me! Oh well, nothing to loose (tell the truth, I couldn't remember how it was s'posed to work, it's been so long - I never pay any attention in the XJ, as long as the lights go out, I don't notice when) fire it up - & it goes out like a light; as it were. 'course now I'm thinking, need I have gone through all this? Because I'm pretty sure I never started the engine after replacing the other pre-cat & assumed 'cos the light didn't go out (& the confusion over which was #1 bank) that I'd changed the wrong one. Oh well, it's done now, I (& the Jeep) have survived my period of despair, time to move on to preparation for inspection & issues that aren't even remotely connected to the CVJ & all that ensued - like the parking brake!

 

[Rasfetch]

Well it's starting to heat up here in Phoenix, so I fired up the A/C this weekend. It wasn't blowing nearly as cold as it should be, so I'm off to AutoZone to get some freon and will recharge it this evening.

 

[Rasfetch]

Got some Freon at the store and recharged the AC. It’s blowing icy cold now! Fingers crossed that I don’t wake up to find the Freon has leaked out by the morning

 

[Johnny O]

Sounds good Johnny. Do you have any new mods for your Liberator before the field season this year, or is it just maintenance this time?

I have a bunch of solar and batteries to install. Recently got the Bento Lab portable PCR unit to go with the MinIon portable sequencer. Also nearly finished with the Liberator bumpers and picked up a winch. Deleting the current roof rack set up and the swing gate spare mount. Adding amber flashers. Changing the color scheme to "Does not show Nebraska road dirt". Upgrading to Moab wheels I had powder coated to match the new scheme. New rear speakers. Reconfigured flat floor. Additional USB and accessory outlets. Remainder of the Skid row plates. Deleted rear body vents and installed new ones higher up the body. New rear Powerstop brakes. Installed Nissan Sentra 2.0L fresh air hose with breather box to better connect snorkle to Apollo. Have all the stuff to convert cabin air to proper replaceable filter. Wired CB and GRMS out puts direct to AUX in on new bluetooth stereo deck. Upgraded amp and replaced dual 10s to dual 22s. Upgraded previous dual battery system and have a higher output alternator to put in.

 

[wheeee32]

Finished installing the new bilstein rear shocks. They look great and the ride is good. Standard procedure from now on will be to PB Blast any nut/bolt that is going to be taken off. The job would have taken a lot less time had I done that before starting.

 

[Deb'nKJ]

Thought I'd better order some shoes if I'm gonna tackle the parking brake at the weekend.

1st set up (on EvilBay) - £50+! So, quickly moving on (i.e. scrolling down) endless choices, huge price range - & not a single brand mentioned. Found some at £19.87, then the same ones for £18.87 - & very shortly after that, £18.85. Still had several pages to go but didn't think I'd improve any further on price, & I'd spotted they were from CarPartsinMotion who (for the benefit of my compatriots who, I know, hang on every word I post with rapt attention) I've bought from before & happy to do so again. On a closer look, I saw they appeared to be Blueprint (for those same 2 guys, really) a leading pattern parts brand, well thought of in "the trade" (in fact my local factors carry their stuff - & it's not cheap!). To cap it all, "10% off with coupon" - & a link to it. So £16.96, free p&p, reputable brand, reliable source, delivery Friday. What's not to like?

 

[CherokeeLiberty]

Thought I'd better order some shoes if I'm gonna tackle the parking brake at the weekend.

1st set up (on EvilBay) - £50+! So, quickly moving on (i.e. scrolling down) endless choices, huge price range - & not a single brand mentioned. Found some at £19.87, then the same ones for £18.87 - & very shortly after that, £18.85. Still had several pages to go but didn't think I'd improve any further on price, & I'd spotted they were from CarPartsinMotion who (for the benefit of my compatriots who, I know, hang on every word I post with rapt attention) I've bought from before & happy to do so again. On a closer look, I saw they appeared to be Blueprint (for those same 2 guys, really) a leading pattern parts brand, well thought of in "the trade" (in fact my local factors carry their stuff - & it's not cheap!). To cap it all, "10% off with coupon" - & a link to it. So £16.96, free p&p, reputable brand, reliable source, delivery Friday. What's not to like?

Did you get the hardware kits, too?

 

[lfhoward]

Passed PA state inspection & emissions. 2008 KK, 206960 miles.