What did you do to your jeep today?

[RedZDead]

Today, checked all fluids (added coolant), afraid to Jinx myself but always surprised at the minimal amount of times I've had to add oil to my KJ w/ 150k miles. Except that one time someone didn't put the dip stick all the way back in the seated position. Luckily I smelled burnt oil a couple blocks down the road. Cleaned out air filter and air box. Windshield cleaner is always in need, probably a gasket or is that O-ring? Had a lil pep talk with Bella before closing the hood. Checked all lights and tire psi and then burnt through some gasoline driving up to the foothills for first half of the day with a very happy pup. Wish I could do more with my KJ, keeping her wheels spinning is best I can do right now. Enjoy it everyone!

 

[sota]

so I think I figured out what's going on with the engine.
cylinder 2 doesn't fire.
plugged in my Autel, and I see injector 2 isn't being commanded on.
also see coil 2 isn't being commanded to fire.
swapped coils; problem didn't follow.
pulled plugs; they're actually practically brand new. #2 is we though, so the injector is firing sometimes.
I can see on the data log that, on start up it does command injector 2 to fire, but quits after a couple of seconds when it doesn't see coil 2 firing.
got a code P2308 insufficient ionization in the Ignition Coil "C" Secondary Circuit.
tested all the power and trigger wire to that coil for continuity; comes up clean.
at this point, I suspect the coil driver in the PCM is dead.
going to try and come up with a way to check it when its running.
might have to order a pico scope. finally.

 

[sota]

Do you have a lift or are you doing this all on your back?

on my back, baby

 

[derekj]

so I think I figured out what's going on with the engine.
cylinder 2 doesn't fire.
plugged in my Autel, and I see injector 2 isn't being commanded on.
also see coil 2 isn't being commanded to fire.
swapped coils; problem didn't follow.
pulled plugs; they're actually practically brand new. #2 is we though, so the injector is firing sometimes.
I can see on the data log that, on start up it does command injector 2 to fire, but quits after a couple of seconds when it doesn't see coil 2 firing.
got a code P2308 insufficient ionization in the Ignition Coil "C" Secondary Circuit.
tested all the power and trigger wire to that coil for continuity; comes up clean.
at this point, I suspect the coil driver in the PCM is dead.
going to try and come up with a way to check it when its running.
might have to order a pico scope. finally.

I use a basic incandescent test light - hook the clamp to the positive post of the battery and probe the control side of the coil plug with the vehicle running - if the driver in the pcm is good the lamp will flash. you can also use a noid light - were common back in the day.

 

[sota]

I was thinking about trying the light bulb trick.
my bigger concern is, swapping coils didn't fix it, even after pulling the battery.
the scan tool is showing the coil not even being commanded to fire either. I'll get a screen shot from the 'tool in a bit.

 

[sota]

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[sota]

Sadly, I just confirmed my worst fears. Found a video online of somebody with a 2005 Jeep Liberty with the exact same p2308 error code, and how he diagnosed that it was indeed a failed driver in the ecm. I just ran the same check on mine, and the driver is shorted to ground. So, I'm just going to leave the fuel injector and the coil unplugged for cylinder 3, and get ready to kick this thing outside. Eventually I'll be making a Facebook post to see if anybody wants to buy the engine. I can at least show them that it runs, and they can do a compression check on that cylinder to verify that it's good, but I can't have it run smoothly. Oh well.

 

[derekj]

Sadly, I just confirmed my worst fears. Found a video online of somebody with a 2005 Jeep Liberty with the exact same p2308 error code, and how he diagnosed that it was indeed a failed driver in the ecm. I just ran the same check on mine, and the driver is shorted to ground. So, I'm just going to leave the fuel injector and the coil unplugged for cylinder 3, and get ready to kick this thing outside. Eventually I'll be making a Facebook post to see if anybody wants to buy the engine. I can at least show them that it runs, and they can do a compression check on that cylinder to verify that it's good, but I can't have it run smoothly. Oh well.

What is availability of reman ecu's in the states like? I know I got the last one from my auto parts store a few years back when I had to replace mine (i'm in Canada)

 

[sota]

I can get it fixed. there's a shop in IL that'll repair it for $160+shipping+tx.
I don't *need* it fixed though, as this is just a parts jeep. would have been nice to have it fully working, to help raise the value on the engine by proving it's a good lump. But it is what it is.

 

[sota]

now... it *might* be interesting to see if they can reprogram it to become an 06 v6 stick shift computer. THAT... would open some interesting possibilities.

 

[sota]

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wondering if anyone else can get this data for their rig.
that's from the parts/broken automatic one.

 

[benibiker63]

Had to replace my alternator yesterday. While driving home from work I heard the warning tone and battery light came on. I was about 5 miles from home so I just kept going, turned off the a/c and radio to conserve the battery in case the alternator completely died. Got home and tested the battery, it was at 12.5v, then I started the engine and tested it again to see what the alternator was putting out, it was 12.0v. Guess it was putting out just enough to keep things operating and get me home but not the 13.8v to 14.5v it should be. The next day I found a new/rebuilt alternator at NAPA for $180. Replacing it was super, SUPER easy. As I'm sure most of you know, it's right there on top, three bolts and two connectors. The hardest part was breaking the old bolts loose after being there for 24 years, it was my original alternator! All good to go now.

 

[lfhoward]

Nice job. Glad your battery was in good enough shape to get you home!

 

[Jeremy-WI]

Dang I got a rebuilt alternator for my 2006 a few years ago for under $120

 

[Bobby V]

We have an 2007 Limited that’s still on its original alternator with about 110000 miles! We are blessed with a good reliable KJ that’s been good to us!! Definitely got our moneys worth!!

 

[eric1514]

Finished the timing cover/front crank seal job on my Liberty. Took a long time. I actually started Thursday by removing the belt and balancer. Late Friday afternoon, I removed the A/C comp., the alternator, power steering pump. On Saturday I removed the cover itself. The cover practically fell off making me think the sealant had quit a long time ago. The water passage O-rings had also decomposed. I'm surprised they still sealed.

Cleaned everything in a plastic tub with unleaded. New crank seal was easy to do with the cover off. New O-rings. Applied sealant, and bolted cover back on. The instructions said to wait 24 hours before putting the vehicle in service, so I spent the rest of the day putting everything back on.

Sunday, I put new coolant in, ran the engine for a bit and changed the oil because it was full of water. The hardest part of this whole job was removing the old oil filter. I tried using 2 different strap wrenches, the cap socket thingy fits the bottom of the filter, and finally, 2 different channel locks and after mangling the shit out of it, I got it off but not before I made a complete mess of the area with old oil/water. What a stupid arraignment.

Well, so far so good. I recleaned everything off again from my oil change debacle and it's definitely not leaking where it was. Fingers crossed. So, timing cover resealed, new crank seal, new coolant, new upper and lower rad hoses, new oil and filter, and new belt all for around $210 and that includes the $50 I spent on new tools.

Next I have to repair the trans cooler lines where they transition from metal to rubber. The crimps have failed.

 

[benibiker63]

We have an 2007 Limited that’s still on its original alternator with about 110000 miles! We are blessed with a good reliable KJ that’s been good to us!! Definitely got our moneys worth!!

They are so reliable, mine was at 148,000 miles!

 

[sota]

mine crapped out sometime before 100k.
to be fair, my jeep's electrical system gets the crap pounded out of it every winter. running the plow puts a pretty good shock load on the electricals.

also an 06 and 07 have different alternators. ask me how I know.

 

[mrtc4w]

This should be a great thread that we can keep going. That way we can all keep up with the small day to day tinkering and give some ideas to those looking to do something! Pics are strongly encouraged!!! (Cheers)

2005 Liberty 3.7l
Replacing water pump. yay

 

[sota]

2005 Liberty 3.7l
Replacing water pump. yay

stupid simple on these vehicles, if you don't have the mechanical fan.
that and the alternator and belt.