Hey there guys/gals. My wife and I have owned a 2004 Jeep Liberty for approx. 3-4 years now and it was purchased used. Recently I changed the Alternator and Battery. We realized we had to change the alternator (and not too long after, the battery) after a planned drive one day and we noticed the jeep starting chugging, we then quickly realized that it couldn't be good and so parked the car in the garage. It never turned on again, at least not without severe issues (lights, wouldn't start, etc). I then learned that it was most likely the alternator and then of course, the battery. I replaced them both personally.
Well fast forward about a week or so. Driving around today and parked, the jeep would not start, I decided to wait a bit, we then started it again and it started fine. The, out of nowhere, the chugging returned, but it was quite lengthy this time, maybe 3-5 mins. We then turned our hazard lights on and kept on driving, for at least another 30 mins. or so, since we felt that maybe it needed to be driven around for a bit since it had been out of commission for some time due to the alternator/battery issue. But then I remembered that we experienced that chugging problem right before the alternator/batt. issue and figured it had to have been something else altogether.
I apologize for the lengthy post but my main concern is this chugging. I've searched around on other sites (as well) and it could be a range of issues. I am ready and willing to answer any questions you guys have regarding my issue for clairity but I am really wondering what it could be. My wife and I did make a half-cross country drive (IL ---> CA) and my brother (after we arrived and before the chug/alternator/batt. issue) noticed we didn't have any coolant lol, I then bought some and filled the coolant tank to the required fill amount. So I was wondering if that long drive was an issue for the vehicle as well, though, to my recollection, we did not have ANY issues whatsoever during our long drive. Any issues seemed to have arisen after our drive and approx. a month or so afterwards. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Ultimately I'll probably just take it to the shop but I am definitely trying to learn our vehicle myself and learn more about what it is that causes these issues. Thanks again!
Well fast forward about a week or so. Driving around today and parked, the jeep would not start, I decided to wait a bit, we then started it again and it started fine. The, out of nowhere, the chugging returned, but it was quite lengthy this time, maybe 3-5 mins. We then turned our hazard lights on and kept on driving, for at least another 30 mins. or so, since we felt that maybe it needed to be driven around for a bit since it had been out of commission for some time due to the alternator/battery issue. But then I remembered that we experienced that chugging problem right before the alternator/batt. issue and figured it had to have been something else altogether.
I apologize for the lengthy post but my main concern is this chugging. I've searched around on other sites (as well) and it could be a range of issues. I am ready and willing to answer any questions you guys have regarding my issue for clairity but I am really wondering what it could be. My wife and I did make a half-cross country drive (IL ---> CA) and my brother (after we arrived and before the chug/alternator/batt. issue) noticed we didn't have any coolant lol, I then bought some and filled the coolant tank to the required fill amount. So I was wondering if that long drive was an issue for the vehicle as well, though, to my recollection, we did not have ANY issues whatsoever during our long drive. Any issues seemed to have arisen after our drive and approx. a month or so afterwards. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Ultimately I'll probably just take it to the shop but I am definitely trying to learn our vehicle myself and learn more about what it is that causes these issues. Thanks again!