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Jeep Wrangler Maintenance and Repair Questions (1997 - 2006)

1886 messages,  Last post on Mar 12, 2013 at 1:19 PM

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What is this discussion about? Jeep Wrangler, Scheduled Maintenance, Steering, Suspension, Tires, SUV

    
 
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Messages Page 4 of 189

#30 of 1886 2002 Jeep Wrangler SE issues before 36k miles by raider_jeep

Jan 14, 2006 (2:28 pm)

I had a Dodge Raider / Montero that had less problems from 33k to 36k miles. The Raider with its design flaws lasted 18 years. I've had the following problems with the Jeep Wrangler SE 2002. It took three different California dealerships to replace a broken thermostat and to remove the codes. It was fixed correctly by a San Jose Jeep Dealership. Also, there were crank sensor codes that appeared while the running cold too long code appeared. That took three weeks to replace. Also, the neutral safety switch for the clutch failed before 36K 5hrs away from home during a vacation the next week and was replaced. Also, the front shocks were leaking! All of these things were replaced under the basic warranty. Some of the california jeep dealership techs are over worked because of the poor quality of jeep parts or they are under experienced. I'm glad that the demo was purchased $7k under mrsp new. The cheap wrangler rt-s tires were replaced with bf goodrich tires at about 25k miles. The stock tires are horrible in the rain.

#31 of 1886 Jeep wrangler by brian461

Jan 19, 2006 (2:39 pm)

I have 1993 jeep and the front end is so hard, does anyone no how i can make the front end softer

#32 of 1886 ignition lock problem by ghulet

Jan 20, 2006 (8:19 pm)

I have a 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport, 4.0, manual trans, with 55k miles. Just went to the grocery store (fortunately only a few blocks away) using my spare key, came back out and the key wouldn't turn in the ignition. This happened once before with the spare key, I attributed the glitch to spare key and not because of a problem with the ignition or steering wheel lock. Apparently I was wrong. Anyway, I walked home in the snow/sleet (naturally), pick up my 'real' key, walked back to the grocery store to pick up the car, and no go. The original key didn't work, either. At that point, the steering wheel was locked, but I tried wiggling the steering wheel, pushing the key release button in and out several times, putting the car in neutral, putting it in different gears, making sure the clutch was fully depressed, the whole nine yards (I've had this happen before, but not on a four-and-a-half year-old vehicle with 55k miles).
 
Has anyone had similar experiences with their Wrangler? If so, what's likely the problem and how much is it going to cost to fix (it's out of warranty, of course)? Is there something I'm missing or not doing right?

#33 of 1886 Jeep Wrangler 1994 by dvinke

Jan 22, 2006 (4:15 pm)

My heater is not working. I have replaced the thermostat and checked the coolant levels and still have no heat. The blower motor is working fine but only blows cold air when the heater is on. Any ideas of what the problem might be and how to fix it?

#34 of 1886 have you checked the heater core? by ghulet

Jan 22, 2006 (4:46 pm)

#35 of 1886 Constant squeak when clutch pedal out by vatak

Jan 25, 2006 (5:42 am)

I have owned a 2005 Wrangler Sport for about a year now and ever since new, there has been this strange, constant squeak/squeal (probably coming from trans?) whenever the clutch pedal is fully out. If I press the pedal in, or even lightly rest my foot on it, the noise stops. Even the lightest tap will make it stop. But as soon as I take my foot completely off of the pedal, the noise returns. And it is constant.
 
I took it to the dealer and they said they lubed some clutch part to make it go away. It went away for about 1000 miles, then returned as before. Took it back to the dealer again, and was told that the part was lubed again to make it stop but that the noise would most likely always return. They said they had checked with Chrysler who told them that it was "normal" and they were aware of it. Sounds fishy to me. Bottom line, my dealer said to just have this clutch part lubed every visit. Guess who gets to pay for that when the warranty runs out??
 
Does anyone else have this problem or know anything about it? Does Chrysler really say this is normal?

#36 of 1886 Re: Constant squeak when clutch pedal out [vatak] by mac24

Jan 25, 2006 (1:47 pm)

Replying to: vatak (Jan 25, 2006 5:42 am)
It's most likely the clutch thrust/release/throwout bearing (all different words to describe the same thing). It's not normal, and should be taken care of under warranty.

#37 of 1886 Re: Jeep Wrangler 1994 [dvinke] by mac24

Jan 25, 2006 (1:57 pm)

Replying to: dvinke (Jan 22, 2006 4:15 pm)
The blower motor is working fine but only blows cold air when the heater is on.
 
I've no in-depth knowledge of the HVAC system on the earlier Wranglers, but diagnosis is fairly simple.
 
First, when the coolant is up to working temperature, feel both the hoses linking the heater to the cooling system. One is a flow and the other is a return.
 
If one is hot and the other is cold there is no flow through the heater core. This will either be a blocked core or a faulty valve (if fitted), or even both.
 
If both hoses are hot the problem will be related to the blend door inside the HVAC housing. This door directs either hot or cold air, or a mix of both, through the air ducts.
 
Repair for any of the failure modes is self explanatory.

#38 of 1886 Re: Jeep wrangler [brian461] by dixiecrawler

Jan 27, 2006 (10:02 pm)

Replying to: brian461 (Jan 19, 2006 2:39 pm)
When you say the front end is hard, I'm assuming your talking about the ride being rough. Am I right? If so, have there been any suspension modifications done to this Jeep? Is it stock or lifted? If it's a really rough ride you're talking about, I'm hoping it's lifted. Stock YJ Wrangler springs are pretty soft. After lifting with arched leaf springs,and keeping it sprung-under, alot of people choose to go with a spring-over conversion while putting stock YJ springs back under the vehicle. The spring-over-axle (SOA) conversion allows for about the same amount of average lift Wrangler owners go for, which is round about 4". Arched leaf springs that come with alot of lifts allow for a better ride than a go-cart with no suspension at all, but not much. Stock YJ leaves also allow for alot more flex than arched leaves. You'll lift a tire alot more often while using arched lift springs. I own an '88 (same body style as yours; YJ) and I have about 6" of lift. It rides pretty rough but I'm used to it. It takes a long time to wear or break-in arched leaf packs! Anyway, post some more details about your Jeep if this doesn't seem to help you find your problem and I'll see what I can do. - dixiecrawler

#39 of 1886 Front wheel locked-up while driving by dag77423

Jan 29, 2006 (11:21 am)

RE: 1992 Wrangler 4WD. My son just had a scary experience. As he was traveling ~35MPH, his right front wheel locked-up and spun the vehicle around the locked wheel, onto the right road shoulder. Fortunately, he was not going faster or he might have flipped. He said the only warning he had was a loud ‘clunk’ just before it locked up. After he collected himself, he tried to move the vehicle and heard the same ‘clunk’ again…he parked it.
 
What I find suspicious is that the previous owner (vehicle purchased less than 30 days ago), supposedly replaced the front wheel bearings before turning it over to my son.
 
Any experience and/or knowledge regarding this problem would be appreciated.

Messages Page 4 of 189

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