double_r

Hey all,

Glad to be a new member here. Got a situation I'd like to run by ya.

Got a 2004 Grand Cherokee 4.0 v6 automatic, 160k miles. It's starting to develop an issue that is getting worse.

About 2 weeks ago, it stalled at a red light. This was after it it had been shut off for about 5 hours, and I'd only driven less than 2 miles. Started back up fine, but had a little hesitation when first accelerated.

2 days ago, it did the same thing at a drive-thru, pretty much the same scenario.

Now it seems that every now and then on the highway the engine seems to kind of "jump" for lack of a better word, like a quick little burst in power/rpm, but only for a split second.

Today. started it up after it had been sitting for about 5 hours, drove 1/4 mile to get food, left the restaurant and the thing would not start, just cranked, but did not fire. Let off the key, waited about 30 seconds, tried it again and it started just fine.

Now that I recall, every now and then, upon first starting, it runs/idles very rough for about 10 seconds or so, this has happened maybe 5-10 times in the last 6 months.

It had been serviced at the dealer last September, total tuneup, throttle body cleaning (probably just sprayed knowing the dealer), etc.

Now, one last thing, probably not related, but want to get all the info to ya guys, just noticed today that when the lights are on, the right tail light is normal but the left is lit as if the brake is applied. When the brakes are in fact applied, the left tail light stays lit the same, and the right tail light goes out completely.

Ok, sorry for the long post for a first time poster, but thanks for any advice/feedback/solutions.

RR

ol"blue

Welcome to CF.
While you didn't mention that the "Check Engine" light had came on, it's possible there was a code stored when the problem occurred. Read the info in this link and follow the easy directions to check for yourself if any codes are stored. It also lists the codes, if needed, just scroll down. >http://www.wjjeeps.com/faultcodes.htm

2Evil4U

Taillight could be a bad ground or something as simple as a dimwit forcing the bulb in 180 degrees out.

double_r

Nah, the check engine light is not/has not been on, and there are no codes when I do the code check.

RR

Bustedback

Sounds like a fuel pump about ready to go out completely. When the engine stalls next time check the fuel rail pressure test port to see if there is any fuel pressure. It should be a pretty nice squirt for a split second, if it just dribbles out or has no fuel at all you need a pump. BE CAREFUL!!! You're messing with gasoline.

double_r

I woulda thought fuel pump, but doesn't really sputter on highway, it's more of a quick gain in power. With the stalling issues, from what i've read, throttle body could maybe use a cleaning, but had that done last September. Then was thinking maybe tps starting to go bad. It was the not starting that one time yesterday that threw me off.

RR

Bustedback

A bad TPS will not cause a no start issue, I'm still betting on a soon to fail fuel pump.

double_r

Hey busted. it's my girlfriends jeep so I was going by what she told me. I experienced the symptoms myself today... when riding on the highway, the car jeep will get a sudden jerk and spike in rpms which lasts about a second. Kinda feels like the tranny slipped into lower gear for a split sec. When at a stop light today, it alsmost stalled but didn't. However, while foot was applied to brake and jeep was at a complete stop, it suddenly tried to lunge forward and almost stalled. She said that has been what was happening to her. So there ya have it, ideas??

ol"blue

This might be helpful.
Go on this site >->http://www.wjjeeps.com/recall.htm#2004
and check these recalls:
Recall No. D13-CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (4.0L engines only);
Emission Recall No. D14- REPROGRAM PCM -ON- BOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM.
They might apply to your issues, and might still need to be done by the dealer. JMO

double_r

ok, so say it ends up the fuel pump? How hard is it to replace ones-self? In other words, please please tell me it ain't in the tank!

BTW, thing stalled 3 times today, within a minute of eachother. Started right back up each time.

Is there a way to trouble shoot the pump?

Bustedback

Fuel pressure needs to be check, the spec is 44-56 psi. Blue makes a great point in his last post, the recall may take care of the problem.


And yes, the pump is in the tank. That is why you want to be sure it is the pump by checking the fuel pressure before dropping the tank.