Friends 05 Liberty dead.

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Flying Biker

New Member
Joined
Sep 24, 2008
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Posting this for a friend in Virgina who's Liberty will not start and I am looking for any other suggestions.

Original Post:

2005 Jeep Liberty w/about 100K miles on a 2.4. I am 35 miles from home. stopped at pvt residence. hit the ign switch--nothing. further chase down says battery is up (did try cables, but didn't help anyway). you CAN Hear the little relays click but not solenoid--which is of course on starter. cannot get to it to try jumping power to it--one lead seems to have a plug/cover anyway. tried pushing by hand w/ign on and jumped in but nothing--assume there is an interlock on that anyway--to protect me. I guess I am getting ride home and come back w/jack and stands and tools and pull starter. other ideas?

Second post:

REPOP and UPDATE:

Originally--I got in, turned the key and all lights/bells/etc came on as usual. Turn to start--nothing. No audible clicks/etc. No partial kick-in nothing.

2005 Liberty 6-speed 2.4 gas. 100k miles. NO warning as to a problem.

Pulled and checked or swapped all fuses which might have connection. Pulled/swapped all relays which were listed as starter or start or anything like that.

Pulled the starter and the battery--took them to AZone and both were perfect.

Reinstalled starter/battery. Put truck in neutral, used a stick to depress clutch, turned on the ign switch. THEN--disconnected ign-switch-to-solenoid lead from starter. Jumped across from positive terminal connection to solenoid spade on starter. TURNED OVER FINE--no start.

I'm guessing it is the ignition switch--WHICH MIGHT FEEL A BIT FUNNY IN THE "START" POSITION--(not for sure, but might). OR it has to be in the computer.

RECAP to the last things I did (to make sure they are clear)-there is apparently NO fire getting to the solenoid from the ignition loop. When I PROVIDED FIRE to the solenoid, the starter worked fine, but it didn't start, only turned over.

Other ideas before I pay a gazillion bucks to have it towed to the dealer and have them ream me ou--I mean, fix it if they are smart enough?

-------
He has no security system that could be causing an issue. Only one key so we don't know if it is the chip! So if anyone has any suggestions, please let me know
 

VTNomad

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2004
Messages
418
Reaction score
2
Location
Johnson City, TN
Liberty

I thought that the 2.4L gas was only available in 2002? I'm just about positive that it was, can someone confirm this?

Are you sure it's not the 2.8L diesel in the CRD? Are you sure it's a 2005 model, that seems like an awful lot of miles. I know Durangotang (over on the L.O.S.T. forum) bought a 2005 CRD, that was listed as a 2.4L gas engine. A used car dealership saw 4 cylinders and listed it as a 4-cylinder gasser. He got a great price because of it too. The grille also changed in 2005, and so did the brake lights. A 2002 model will have amber turn lenses, and a 2005 model has clear turn lenses. (That may make it easier to identify the year).

I'm assuming he didn't just buy it and put gas in it by mistake, if it is a 2005 diesel?

I'd replace the battery before I had it towed to the dealership. These Jeeps act weird when the batteries are weak. A lot of people who own 2005's are starting to have their batteries go bad. Another thing could be the alternator not charging the battery.

Replace the battery, it's about due anyway, it relatively cheap (it can even be returned), and easy to do. If that doesn't solve your problem, go from there.
 
Last edited:

Flying Biker

New Member
Joined
Sep 24, 2008
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Location
Colorado Springs, CO
I thought that the 2.4L gas was only available in 2002? I'm just about positive that it was, can someone confirm this?

Are you sure it's not the 2.8L diesel in the CRD? Are you sure it's a 2005 model, that seems like an awful lot of miles.

Well, he has had this thing for about a year now so I would hope he knows what kind of gas to put in it:confused: But Since I am in Colorado and he is in Virgina I can't do a whole lot for him but relay right now. He did state that he took the battery and the starter to have them tested. I am assuming that he had them load test the battery. I can't see them not load testing.
 

ATXKJ

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2008
Messages
125
Reaction score
0
I'd still bet on the battery.
Understand even if you have the current to turn the starter (should be easier on 2.4l) you may not have the voltage to turn on the computer.
and because of that you don't get the more traditional battery failure warnings, once it drops below computer voltage - it doesn't go anywhere.

(although won't hurt to double check all fuses)
 
Last edited:

Flying Biker

New Member
Joined
Sep 24, 2008
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Well, He had it towed to the stealer today and guess what they found. It was the key release button. He had kind of already narrowed it down to that but was hoping that it was not the deal. According to the service manual, it said that, "on a manual transmission vehicle, if the key-release button is broken, the entire steering column must be replaced. Well, this is going to cost him 735.00.
 

Latest posts

Members online

Top