resghost

Here are my problem again but updated and I do hope someone can help me. My Son has a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee, (picture herein I hope) that we have been reconditioning little by little for 6 years. The engine has 275000 miles on it and still running well even though the mpg has dropped but that is expected to do so. We just put a new computer in it because of many problems it had connected with the computer. So, I took it to a dealer after trying three different after-market computer systems that failed miserably. At the dealer, it was $800 for the board and installing it.
1) ABS Light will not go out, and the ABS is in fact working. The remanufactured module is now communicating with the scanner, before it was not.
2) Coolant sensor light is coming on, then after a while (10 minutes or so) it goes off, sometimes it stays on until restarted, which sometimes makes the “check engine” light come on as well. Sometimes it clears after several starts, sometimes it does not. Note: The coolant sensor has been replaced with a new one.
3) Parking lights do not flash when locking/unlocking.
Note: Numbers 1 and 2 were doing this before the computer replacement. It was supposed to clear up after the new board was installed.

I have spent a great deal of time and money on this vehicle because my Son really loves this vehicle. I remember the feeling and I remember watching it go to the junk yard because I could not afford to repair it. I will not let that happen to him. Any help on any or all of the above problems would be greatly appreciated I assure you. I thank you for reading this.
Regards,
R E Spangenberg
USMC (ret)
rspangenberg@ec.rr.com

dave1123

Okay, I'm going to tackle these in reverse, okay? My '97 ZJ's lights never flashed when locking it with the remote. All I ever got was a short beep of the horn when locking. When the system was armed, there was a red flashing LED on top of the dash. The only sound when un-locking was the door soleniods. Now on my '00 WJ, the horn beeps and the lights flash once on lock and just the lights flash twice on un-lock, no horn. Oh, and it's the turn signals that flash.

I had the same coolant temp sensor warning, changed the sensor twice to no avail, then used a Mopar sensor. No more warning. IDK why and IDK if this will solve your problem. I spent a lot of time looking for another sensor, but there's only one and the PCM reads it's output to the gauge.

The ABS system does a diagnostic scan of itself at intervals and if it finds anything amiss, will turn on the light. You may have a damaged wheel sensor or a sensor disc that the system can't read. These discs are like slotted rings behind the front wheel bearings and get rusted enough that the probe can't count the slots to determine wheel speed. I believe the rear discs are inside the e-brakes. On my ZJ, a stone or something smashed the left front sensor and I had to replace it. People tell me all you have to do sometimes is clean the rust off the discs to fix it. A wire wheel brush should work well if there's enough clearance. I hope this solves the problem.

BTW, I'm an ex-Navy airdale.

mnewxcv

is the coolant low? Would explain why it goes off after warming up (if its low enough that the expansion as it heats up increases level enough to turn the light off). Either way, unless its way over the HIGH mark already, try adding an inch or so off coolant to the overflow tank. I had an overly sensitive sensor in another car which had to be overfilled slightly to keep the light off.

As for lights on lock, I do not think it is suppose to occur. I know it doesnt on XJ's, its news to me they do it on WJ's, but I dont think it should on ZJ's.

As for the ABS, light stated, could be a speed sensor. You say it communicates with the scanner. You have an ABS code reader? If so, what is it saying?

dave1123

I believe he's talking about a "coolant temp sensor" warning on the VIC. The "coolant low" warning has to do with the reservoir.

resghost

Thank you sir for the comeback. I'll check those today. Insofar as the lights bumping on/off, I wonder if I am just so used to my last 6 vehicles I just assumed. I may have had what is Called the WDAS. (Walking Dumb *** Syndrome) I thank YOU for your service to Brother.

ps- remember- Put a bowling ball in a room with two marines and lock the door. We'll either break it, lose it, or try to *** it. ~G~

~Ghost~

dave1123

Hey Ghost! I come from a family with a long history of military service. My grandfather was a boiler stoker on a cruiser in WWI, my dad was a photo-recon and gun spotter pilot on a cruiser in WWII. I had 2 uncles, one a Marine in the Pacific (a gunny), one an army medic in Europe. My brother went into the Air Force as a computer geek and weapons system specialist. The closest I ever got to combat was standing the Cuban Blockade. One button away from hell on earth.

resghost

A note of wisdom if you will:

"It is not only the man on the front line you should thank, but the man standing by ready to take his place".

You have a heritage and a legacy to be proud of. I thank you for your service Sir!

L/Cpl. ----Capt. ~Ghost~ MACV 1969-1972- 26 months in country

dave1123

My uncle was up for a field commission and he said "Are you nuts? I have enough taking care of my squad, you want me to be responsible for a company? No way!" His words, not mine. He got his knee separated by a bullet on Okinawa so they sent him home. He was buried 5 years ago in his uniform and it still fit. Once a Marine, always a Marine. Semper Fi!

BTW, good luck with your son's jeep. We really should keep this "on topic". PM me if you'd like.