Hello...I'm a disabled person on a VERY limited fixed income.

My Jeep Gr Cherokee keeps dying, have to wait 15 to 45 minutes before it will restart.

When the happens, the gauges & engine are dead, lights, radio, and AC/heater fan still work OK.

This is VERY DANGEROUS ON OUR MOUNTAIN ROADS.

No codes except once the sentry key light came on.

One local mechanic replaced the crank position sensor, which didn't help. New battery a few weeks ago...

I already spent $110 at a Jeep dealer (75 miles away in Lakeport, CA) just to have them say "we can't find the fault at this time"...

The Jeep dealer gave me a $1300 estimate to replace the sentry key sensor (4686665AD) and a PCM (R6044428AJ).

The service mgr says that even then, this still might NOT fix the problem.

I understand how tough it is to diagnose an intermittent problem, but I just can't afford to throw money into a black hole called "maybe"...

I don't like that the failure of sensors can stop a car dead. I want to go back to the old days where cars didn't have all these damn sensors.

Meanwhile, I'm writing you folks to get a more precise answer than "spend $1300 and it still might not fix it"...

As a disabled Senior on a very small social security income, I need better answers. Thank you...

PS, would you folks like to buy a used 1999 WJ..?


Please help ASAP...thanks

 

Hey there, I'd just like to get some more information, for myself and anyone else that might be able to help.

When the Jeep won't restart, will turning the ignition get the engine to spin over, or does the vehicle not seem to respond to this at all-aside from the accessories?

Does anything else on the Jeep not operate correctly? How does the Jeep run & drive otherwise? Any driveability problems up to the shutdown? Do the conditions of the shutdown seem consistent-as to run time, air/engine temperature, or type of driving? And when it does restart, is there any stumble, misfire, or any other strange behavior?

What was your method for pulling the codes?

The best I could suggest at this point, is while it's acting up, check for fuel pressure, spark, and injector pulse. I can provide instruction, if needed.

 

Starter spins the engine just fine. Everything works correctly and it drives great, no stumble or misfire before or after the problem...

Codes were pulled both by a code read in the shop, and also by the ignition method

Not a fuel problem, not a spark problem...

When I mentioned to somebody that the gauges & engine go dead, he suggested pulling the instrument cluster and cleaning the wire harness plug contacts. He said his JGC did the same thing, and that was the cure. I'll have to get some contact cleaner...

A mechanic I know (that does not live nearby) said he thinks it's related to the immobilizer (SKIN)...

I also tried using my spare key, just in case there was a problem with the primary key...

 

I'm having the same issue. Stuck on the side of the road as I type this...hoping it will start in 15-45 minutes like you mentioned urs does

 

Sounds like the PCM is getting hot and one or more circuits lose their continuity which in turn kills the gauges and engine. Once it cools down for about 10-15 minutes the circuit board straightens out and continuity is restored. But like you said, it's an expensive thing to buy for a maybe fix. I had a 2001 Dodge that did the same thing and it was the PCM. I sent it out and had it repaired for about 300 bucks and never had an issue again.

 

If the PCM is suspect and losing power stalling the jeep, you may be able to have the dealer see if it is counting starts or key cycles. If it goes back to zero every time it stalls that would indicate the PCM may be losing power, then you may have a direction to go in. may want to try a different shop...get a new set of eyes on the problem, someone else may have a better idea to help you.

 

I think both Bustedback and BLKXJ 96 have it nailed. Jeeps used to have problems with solder cracks and failing capacitors in the PCM. Both of these problems can be fixed a lot cheaper than replacing it. Where to take it, I haven't a clue.

Being on a limited income and owning a jeep is a powerful statement. I have to use my home equity line of credit for major repairs now. Yes, I'm disabled, living on Social Security and a part time job that may evaporate next year.

 

Not that this will help, but you can get a new pcm pretty cheap. There is a company on Ebay and they have their own website. http://jeeppcm.net/. You can get a new computer for around $200 to $300 with a limited lifetime warranty. Anyway I was looking at these guys when I had a transmission control module cant talk to pcm problem. My problem turned out to be a pin pushed in a little and not making contact with a connector. You give them your vin, they will flash the computer and send it out to you. You send them your old computer. Are they any good? I don't know. If you find out it is your computer for sure then this might be the best way to get a new one.

 

check the crankshaft position sensor. My cherokee use to cut off while driving down the road. Would usually start up again after a minute or so but definitely a known problem with Cherokees. Easy replacement and about $30.

 

Before you replace the PCM check the 3 connectors that attach to it.
You can try wiggling them while the engine is running and listen for the engine to stumble or stall.
If you find a problem, spray them out with contact cleaner, let them dry, then if you like put a coating of dielectric grease around the outter edge of the connector to seal it. DO NOT put the grease in the pin holes it's non conductive and can insulate the pins.

 

Hello...I replaced the crankshaft sensor, with no change...


Also with no change was a suggestion to use contact cleaner on the instrument cluster plug, with no change...


I'll try the PCM connector cleaning...


Thanks

 

Experiencing the same issue, I have had the original ECU sent in for a SKIM delete and that helped for about 6 months then it started stalling out and dieing again. So I went and purchased a remaned ECU from Cardone, they programed the VIN and mileage into it, plugged the thing in and she started right up and died 7 blocks into the first test drive leaving me in a parking lot for 45 minutes. I noticed that the battery and fuel gauge don't respond when this happens and and I get a crank no start, let it sit either with the system on or off and the gauges will go to their correct position and I can start the jeep back up again. I try driving away and it will sputter and die when it tries to shift out of 1st. Im at my wits end with this thing, and at the end of my available repair finances until I get another magic 5 friday month. Has anyone figured the solution to this issue yet?
As a side note, the original ECU that came with it was replaced by Chrysler as part of a recall issue.

 

I've had the exact same issues will make it to work just fine and home from work just fine (about 8 miles) any additional stops or travel and it will start this. Shuts down no power brakes no power steering no gas guage and sentry (key) and gas light come on starter cranks just fine everything appears to be all in order but must wait 15-45 minutes for it to stop and let me start it back up and sometimes it will only go 2 blocks-a .ile before doing it again. I think the poster who spoke of pcm overheating may be on to something will do some wrenching and tinkering and get back to everyone.