Need Help!!! 2004 Cherokee overheating while towing a trailer
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Model: Cherokee
Need Help!!! 2004 Cherokee overheating while towing a trailer
I need some help, and I'm hoping someone on this forum can give me just that.
I have a 14ft Haulmark trailer that I tow with my 04' cherokee. I have the 2wd 4.0 6 cylinder. When I take the trailer it's usually freeway driving at speeds of 60-70mph with overdrive off. The jeep runs fine and the temp stays at normal operating temp. However once I exit the freeway things start to heat up.
It actually overheated on me the other day. This is the first time it's ever happened so I let the jeep cool off and went home. I thought it might be a fluke or something, but today I towed the trailer on the highway again, temp was perfect, exited the freeway and the temps began to raise again.
This time I was able to keep it from overheating by rolling my windows down and blasting the heater, not fun since I'm in Orlando, FL and it's already hot enough outside!!!
I was wondering if anyone can give me some ideas why this would be happening? Maybe the trailer is just too big and heavy? I read the manual and it says I can tow up to 5000lbs, however I'm realistically only towing around 2000lbs.
Look forward to your responses.
Thanks,
Chris
I have a 14ft Haulmark trailer that I tow with my 04' cherokee. I have the 2wd 4.0 6 cylinder. When I take the trailer it's usually freeway driving at speeds of 60-70mph with overdrive off. The jeep runs fine and the temp stays at normal operating temp. However once I exit the freeway things start to heat up.
It actually overheated on me the other day. This is the first time it's ever happened so I let the jeep cool off and went home. I thought it might be a fluke or something, but today I towed the trailer on the highway again, temp was perfect, exited the freeway and the temps began to raise again.
This time I was able to keep it from overheating by rolling my windows down and blasting the heater, not fun since I'm in Orlando, FL and it's already hot enough outside!!!
I was wondering if anyone can give me some ideas why this would be happening? Maybe the trailer is just too big and heavy? I read the manual and it says I can tow up to 5000lbs, however I'm realistically only towing around 2000lbs.
Look forward to your responses.
Thanks,
Chris
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And about the issue... Im not sure, but your Jeep seems like it doesnt like shifting repeatidly. When you exit the freeway, you slow down making the transmission shift constantly epecially with the trailer and the od off. Just a thought...
Does it overheat before you get on the freeway?
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It doesn't seem to overheat right away, but I usually drive the trailer on the freeway, which is just a few miles from my house.
I was thinking of installing a transmission cooler, I added the hitch after I purchased the jeep, so I didn't get the tow package.
Do you think that would help with the problem?
Yeah the heat and humidity is really tough to deal with. It just seems to keep getting hotter.
I was thinking of installing a transmission cooler, I added the hitch after I purchased the jeep, so I didn't get the tow package.
Do you think that would help with the problem?
Yeah the heat and humidity is really tough to deal with. It just seems to keep getting hotter.
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Team Cherokee has this one... I would imagine that it is good, but who knows...
http://www.teamgrandcherokee.com/Tra...ion/index.html
http://www.teamgrandcherokee.com/Tra...ion/index.html
#6
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Year: 2004 Inferno Red
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.7 HO
I have a '04 GC Columbia Ed. with the 4.7 HO and 54K miles on it - pull a trailer that weighs about 5,000# and have had no trouble on or off freeways. I do, however, keep my speeds to about 55mph. Just had the tranny serviced and had no problems. Now, I'm in the moutains of Western MD - with some pretty decent grades. If you're having problems with overheating in Orlando, I would spend the $60 or so and buy a cooler. Bet you won't overheat after that is installed. But, just on the odd chance, have your tranny serviced, too. Regular service when towing is a must. I do it every 20K-25K.
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Just wanted to give an update.
The problem wasn't with pulling the trailer, it just seemed to exagerate the issue. It began overheating without pulling the trailer, so I opened the hood to investigate and found that the electric fan had stopped working. I unplugged the fan and attached a 12v power source to it and nothing.
Saturday I replaced the fan and I'm back up and running again. Bad thing is since I do have the towing package (didn't know that until this weekend, I noticed the tranny cooler), I couldn't get the fan from autozone, advance autoparts, napa, etc... I had to go to the dealer who charged me $375.00 + tax!!!
Oh well, a few hours of work, but atleast it's fixed and back on the road again.
The problem wasn't with pulling the trailer, it just seemed to exagerate the issue. It began overheating without pulling the trailer, so I opened the hood to investigate and found that the electric fan had stopped working. I unplugged the fan and attached a 12v power source to it and nothing.
Saturday I replaced the fan and I'm back up and running again. Bad thing is since I do have the towing package (didn't know that until this weekend, I noticed the tranny cooler), I couldn't get the fan from autozone, advance autoparts, napa, etc... I had to go to the dealer who charged me $375.00 + tax!!!
Oh well, a few hours of work, but atleast it's fixed and back on the road again.
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Year: 2004 Inferno Red
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.7 HO
That's great news - to an extent. I think I would have looked at a salvage yard for a fan before I went to the dealer. At least it was an easy fix.
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Year: 1997
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Liter I-6
Overheat
That's a pretty good sized trailer for that poor little 4.0L..
why would you turn the OD off? that would make the engine work harder...and heat faster. You might check to see if your rig has a built in oil cooler. Also check your coolant level and thermostat.
Don't screw around with overheats!!! I have the 4.0L and didn't pay attention/get service and now I have to pay $3000 for a reman engine and install!
Word I get from the shops is Jeep engines don't handle overheats well at all..
Good luck...
why would you turn the OD off? that would make the engine work harder...and heat faster. You might check to see if your rig has a built in oil cooler. Also check your coolant level and thermostat.
Don't screw around with overheats!!! I have the 4.0L and didn't pay attention/get service and now I have to pay $3000 for a reman engine and install!
Word I get from the shops is Jeep engines don't handle overheats well at all..
Good luck...
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Year: 2004 Inferno Red
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.7 HO
That's a pretty good sized trailer for that poor little 4.0L..
why would you turn the OD off? that would make the engine work harder...and heat faster. You might check to see if your rig has a built in oil cooler. Also check your coolant level and thermostat.
Don't screw around with overheats!!! I have the 4.0L and didn't pay attention/get service and now I have to pay $3000 for a reman engine and install!
Word I get from the shops is Jeep engines don't handle overheats well at all..
Good luck...
why would you turn the OD off? that would make the engine work harder...and heat faster. You might check to see if your rig has a built in oil cooler. Also check your coolant level and thermostat.
Don't screw around with overheats!!! I have the 4.0L and didn't pay attention/get service and now I have to pay $3000 for a reman engine and install!
Word I get from the shops is Jeep engines don't handle overheats well at all..
Good luck...
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