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Jeep Grand Cherokee Repair Questions and Answers

Answer:   You probably have a bad high/low beam switch.  Replacing it should fix your problem.

Question:  2001 Jeep Cherokee  mileage: 92,000.  My check engine light comes on - the trouble codes say its problem #25 - idle air control sensor circuit.  The dealer and auto parts stores say there is no idle air control on my vehicle.  Then what is trouble code 25?  Alternatively, are they wrong?  In addition, in the morning when it is cold, you can start it fine but it will not stay running unless you hold down the accelerator.  It acts like an old car.  Once it is warmed up its ok.  Please help - thank you.

Answer:   The symptoms you describe are classic idle air control motor failure.  As far as we know, your car should be equipped with an idle air control motor.  Perhaps you asked for an idle air control sensor rather than an idle air control motor.

Question:  2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee  mileage: 75,000.  I disengaged the battery to check the water pump and after I hooked the battery back up, I noticed my alarm was "tweaking."  I tried to take the Jeep to town, and it kept cutting out on me-which is the anti-theft part of the alarm, but how can I reset it to where I can drive the vehicle?   I turned the valet switch off and then on, but nothing happened.

Answer:   Try locking and unlocking the rear hatch.  This should reset your security system.

Question:  2000 Jeep Cherokee mileage: 90,000.  I had a problem with the heat, it was only luke warm at best. I replaced the thermostat and still have the same problem.  My temperature gauge also confirms I am running much cooler than the 195 degree t-stat setting.  I also partially blocked the radiator to see if I could get the temperature up, but that did nothing as well. Could it be a faulty t-stat or should I look elsewhere?

Answer:    You may have a faulty thermostat or possibly incorrect gauge readings.  Remove the thermostat and check it when it is cold to see that it is closed.  Put the thermostat in a pan of hot water on a stove.  The thermostat should be open when the water is near boiling.   If the thermostat is okay, the temperature sensor may be your problem.

Question:  1998 Jeep Cherokee mileage: 120,000.  My car is experiencing terrible gas mileage and has a strong odor of unburned fuel.  Upon opening the hood at idle I can see gas literally dripping from the injectors.  A friend said it is probably the O-rings and they need replaced.  Is this a fairly easy repair if you have a Chilton manual?

Answer:    Leaking gasoline is an extreme fire danger.  If you are unfamiliar with the O-ring repairs, have it done professionally.

Question:  2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee  mileage: 118,000.  My Jeep Grand Cherokee was running great until a few months ago. Now when you are accelerating slowing from a dead stop the engine hesitates until you get up to 30 to 35 mph.  Then it begins to accelerate smoothly.  I have changed the distributor cap and rotor, the spark plugs, had the injectors cleaned all with no help.   The fuel filter was changed; it helped for a few minutes and started doing the same thing again.  Is there anything else I can do before I take it in to a shop?  The engine only hesitates and surges at low speeds but it seems to be getting worse.  Now if you accelerate very hard you do not notice it, but if you are accelerating normally, it is bad.   Thank you for any help you can send my way..........

Answer:    Your car is equipped with a computer controlled engine management system.  An independent auto service center can scan your computer for fault or error codes.  The information should pinpoint the malfunctioning components.   Also, test the fuel pump for pressure and flow.

Question:  1999 Jeep Cherokee  mileage: 103,000.  On a trip check, engine light came on 40 miles into trip.  I pulled off and checked fluids, all ok.  Vehicle cooled down, all gauges looked ok.  Continue trip, another 40 miles motor acts as if it will cut off.  Pull off once again, let cool down.  Vehicle starts immediately.  Runs perfect for another 40 miles, does same thing.  I notice that I cannot set cruise control.  I have replaced fuel filter, spark plugs, plug wires, distributor cap, rotor button, and ignition coil.  Still have problem.   Next move is EGR valve.  Call Jeep shop to order part, they say I haven't an EGR valve in their books, must be something else?  Take to shop, they read codes, nothing out of the ordinary, all sensors are performing correctly.   They cannot recreate problem.  They return to me unrepaired and still can not set cruise control.  What gives?  EGR or oxygen sensors?  I would gratefully appreciate any insight you may have on my problem.  Thank you.

Answer:    The “check engine” light will “light” when there is a malfunction in the engine management system.  The fault code is then stored in the computer.  The computer must be scanned to retrieve these stored faults to pinpoint the malfunctioning component.  Because the check engine light indicates something is wrong, a trip to you neighborhood automobile service center sooner rather than later is recommended.  Try another service center; the first one appears it have missed it.

Question:  1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee mileage: 130,000.  This an automatic transmission.  My jeep has a problem with properly shifting down to first when I come to a stop sign or stoplight.  Once I come to a complete stop, it may or may not shift into first.  If I shift it into neutral and then back into drive it goes into first and starts fine.  Otherwise, it is like starting in second gear.  I just had the tranny rebuilt, so I am not sure that is it.  Every other gear shifts at the proper points and I do not have a problem idling.  My next option I am going to try is the fuel filter.  Do you have any other suggestions?

Answer:    You may want to return to the service center that rebuilt the transmission.  It sounds like a valve is “hanging up” in the valve body.

Question:  2000 Jeep Cherokee mileage: 100,000.  I have only a few drops of oil being delivered to the rocker arms, some have none. I have since replaced the oil pump, oil, filter, 1 rod, 1 overheated rocker and cleaned the push rods, added marvel oil and gunk cleaner.  I have 50-psi oil pressure.  What could still be my problem and how do I fix it?

Answer:  The oil for the rocker arms goes through the hydraulic lifters.   Yours may need replacing.

Question:  1996 Jeep Cherokee mileage.  I replaced my engine with a remanufactured 4.0.  It won’t fire right now.  Only fires on number 1 & number 4 cyl.  Then only intermittently.  Have changed caps, starter, ignition, switch, coil, and computer.  Electrician says my relays &sensors are ok.  If you guys can help, I would appreciate it.

Answer:  Try new plug wires, your old ones may be “over the hill.”

Question:  1997 Jeep Cherokee  mileage: 121,000.  One day at the gas station I stopped to talk to a friend, my car was still in drive with my foot on the brake.  It stalled; when I shut it off and tried to start it, it wouldn't start. My friend checked all wires; finally, 20 minutes later it started.  Next day it ran but when I got home and shut it off it didn't start up again. The battery is fine; it had a tune-up.  Can you help?

Question:  1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee mileage: 135,000. When I drive the Jeep for some reason the engine completely shuts down. The Rpms drop and the Alternator light comes on. If I disconnect the battery and reconnect, the car restarts for a while but then shortly reacts the same way. This has puzzled me because I can go for maybe two to three days with no problems and then all of a sudden the car quits. I had it look at and all they said is it probably needs a new computer but this is a $600.00 investment. But if this is what it takes to fix it so be it but of course I like too get other options first. I changed the fuel filter and also new relays. If you have any Ideas please pass them on.

Answer: Your car may be ready for a major tune-up including spark plugs, plug wires, distributor cap, rotor, fuel filter and air filter. Also, perform a fuel pump pressure test. Clean fuel injection system including throttle bore, idle speed control motor and passages. If problem still exists, scan computer for trouble codes.

Question:  1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee mileage: 53,887. I recently changed the automatic transmission filter, gasket & fluid. The fluid that I used was Dextron 2. Now when I check the fluid, the fluid has several air type bubbles. What could be causing the bubbles and what needs to be done to correct the problem? If I check the fluid when the engine isn't running there isn't any.

Answer: Your transmission may be low on fluid. The bubbles may be the result of air and fluid being sucked up into the filter and pump. Check the fluid level first thing in the morning after the bubbles have settled down over night. Our guess is you will find it low.

Question:  1998 Jeep Cherokee mileage: 100,000. Vehicle has developed a stalling problem. It starts right up and only remains at idle for a short time. The vehicle does not quit suddenly; rather it appears to misfire then stall. Engine speed is not a consideration. After it stalls, there is a sound, like the last gasps of a balloon deflating in the area of what I call the throttle body. The vehicle will restart with no problem. The fuel filter has just been replaced, with no change. A "throttle body sensor" has been suggested as a possible problem area. What do you think?

Answer: Check the catalytic converter to make sure it is not "plugged" or restricted. Your car is equipped with a computer controlled engine management system. An independent auto service center can scan your computer for fault or error codes. The information should pinpoint the malfunctioning components.

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