Hey Scotty!
So I hear you always saying how bad Fiat Chrysler is, and it disappoints me, because you often leave out Mercedes Chrysler! lol. My 08 Grand Cherokee has 134k miles on it, it's an automatic, V6 3.7 liter engine. And about the worst thing I ever spent money on.
So, when the engine is warm, or it's warm outside or the sun is shining brightly down, the car won't start. (I'm totally being serious, if it's cold and mostly cloudy it's fine at first.) Once the engine is warm (so I drive across town to the bank) and I try to start it again, it won't start. No codes. At all. ): Then the satellite radio went out-normal AM/FM worked fine. Then lights started going out and wiper blades would come on- all intermittently.
I used to work at O'Reilly Auto Parts, so I took it to many of the shops that we work with, most kept it over night, even for 3-4 days at a time. One shop said it was the TIPM- I called the dealership pretending I was even going to let them do the work-the Jeep didn't have a TIPM. Before the radio and the lights and blades started causing issues, I changed the crank sensor, checked the starting system, fuel system, etc. Obviously that didn't solve the issue. But no shop could come to any sort of conclusive issue. I'm thinking maybe an ECM or BCM, but I'm not trying to keep throwing money at the heap. What are your thoughts? (aside from Jeep=Just Empty Every Pocket which I learned just a little too late)
If I get rid of it, what are your thoughts on an 04 Subaru Impreza 2.5i? What should I watch for? I have an opportunity to buy one if I dump the Jeep.
Thank you for your time and wisdom!
For the start issue in warm weather, you may have leaky injectors which may flood the engine. Try this: push the gas pedal all way down and then start the engine and see what happens.
For the electrical issue you have with lights,... I think you may be right. If you checked all the fuses and relays and they are fine, odds are that your BCM is going out and it cost a lot for buying another one and reprogram it.
Regarding your next move, it depends on the mileage and for sure the overall condition. Ask a mechanic to check it especially the engine for blown head gasket, automatic transmission and AWD system. If the mechanic says ok, it can be an ok car but do not pay a lot. it is a 17 years old Subaru.
Out of habit I did try to use the gas when I started it. I was promptly yelled at because you apparently aren't supposed to do that to newer vehicles. So that was not the fix for the problem. There's a place called F'N Jeep here that may have a replacement computer, depending on that and the labor, I probably will just sell them the Jeep instead of getting the new BCM.
The Subaru has just over 100k miles, it's a manual 5 speed transmission, and the shop it's at changes the head gasket and timing belt before they sell their Subarus. They also give a 90 day engine warranty. I always do take my cars to a shop before buying them, but that doesn't always pan out...I took the Jeep to a shop and I hadn't even had it 6 months before this problem started... /:
Do now you know that the issues are your injectors. They are leaking fuel and flood the engine. I asked you to try it to make sure the issue is what I expected. It was not a solution. Regarding the Subaru, I think it may be a good deal since it is manual and the head gasket is replaced recently. Just have a trustworthy mechanic to check it before you buy it. Good luck.
Oh, yeah, nothing changed when I pushed on the gas. It didn't do anything differently. I'm sorry I misunderstood. Thank you.
If I do buy the Subaru, maybe I will take it to a few different shops just to be safe. I really don't want to end up in a similar situation that I'm in now. I am thinking that maybe getting rid of the Jeep and getting the Subaru might put me in a better situation.
Thank you a lot!
Hypothetically, if you did have a TIPM, when you turned the key on your Jeep the PCM would provide ground to the auto shutdown relay (ASD), (also called the MAIN relay) which then would operate to provide power to the totally integrated power module (TIPM) which provides power to the fuel injectors and ignition coils.
If there’s an issue with the ASD relay or the wiring to the ASD relay, you’ll get a no start condition.
A failing main relay sometimes exhibits the "warm condition temperament" which you are describing.
You should replace your ASD relay (in the engine compartment fuse box). Also, those jeeps have problems with corrosion in that fuse box so carefully inspect the relay socket for corrosion before just sticking a new relay in there.
I'll go take a look, but I think i did look at a few relays when this all first started (it's been going on a very long time, and just getting worse). Relays are such simple things, and people don't always consider them...Thanks!
be aware the relay will function fine unless it's warm. When it's warm and the jeep is not starting you can check if it's getting spark while cranking by removing a coil, sticking a spark plug in it, grounding the spark plug threads on a good engine ground and checking for spark jumping the spark plug gap as an assistant cranks the engine. You could check for proper fuel pressure while cranking with a fuel pressure gauge too.
If you aren't getting either, the ASD relay, it's socket, and wiring would be the place to begin
I did the fuel pressure test with the actual tester thing (rental tool at O'Reilly) and then I had a mechanic use their fancy machine to check that way too. The fuel seems all good. I'm not sure what the shops did when they had it overnight, but I know they have all tried a lot to diagnose it. I'll see if any of them tried the spark thing you mentioned there, if not, I'll specifically ask them to help me try that option. And then go from there. Thanks for all of the ideas! I was at a blank for where to go!
Congratulations! You are the proud owner of a 2008 Jeep Boat Anchor.
Haha! I know! I never knew I would be able be! But at least it isn't a 2021 Jeep Boat Anchor! That would have been an even more expensive anchor!