Driving my 07 JKU on the highway a couple weeks ago. Everything normal.

Suddenly the wipers started by themselves but in very slow speed. When I turned the control knob trying to shut them off (turned on then off) the engine simply died.

Managed to pull over while stepping very hard on the brake and pulling the parking brake. Looked for blown fuses, loose cables, etc. Did not find anything. Engine would turn but not run.

Battery voltage was normal - it's a DieHard Gold, about one year old. I monitor it through a Bully Dog tuner that's constantly plugged to the OBD2 port. Have been using the tuner for around six years with no issues.

So, without any smoking gun I decided to "reboot" the ECU by disconnecting the battery's positive cable. Unplugged the terminal for about 15 seconds and plugged back.

Tried the engine and it started immediately. Let it run for a minute and it sounded normal.

Drove out again and it was like nothing happened.

Around 15 minutes later, same thing happened. I pulled over and this time went straight for the "reboot".

Engine started perfectly and ran fine.

Ran my errands and went back home around two hours later and it was like nothing happened. Drove the Jeep these past days without issues also.


Well... something definitely happened. I stopped by a Chrysler dealership and they they said they did not have a clue and set an appointment but only two weeks from now. Completely full.


Doing some research and other folks' opinions indicate a possible TIPM fault. However, I have not seen any references to "rebooting" and everything working fine again as if nothing was wrong, until going wrong again.

So, questions:
1) anything else I can check besides the TIPM? I am about to pull it out this weekend to cleanup contacts and apply dielectric grease. Any possible damages in doing so?

2) can I buy a used TIPM to replace or must be new? I read that the TIPM must "learn" the Jeep's info the first time we connect it. Question is what if the dealers do not have a new one for my Jeep? Other years I can use? I would rather get a new one if possible since a used one might be about to break or already broken.


Thanks!

 

Bump. No hints on this one?

 

Probably not much help, but I've had a few weird ones with my '08 over the years that only disconnecting the battery fixed.

Radio working but no sound

CD plays but no radio

Door locks not locking with the switch

The wiper ghost

Headlights not working (fogs did though)

Window motor not working

Doors not auto unlock - this continues to happen on and off, I stopped reprogramming it a couple of years ago. It works for a week or two then doesn't for a week or so

Lights mysteriously turning on or off

Loss of throttle control (only idles, doesn't respond to pedal input)

It is most likely the module, good luck getting dealer to cover it - please follow up if they do or you find a solution.

 

You can buy a new one from mopar. List is $665. You can get a refurbished mopar for $450. You can get a brand new doorman for $375.

I'm almost 100% positive you can install this yourself. You turn the key for 12 seconds and shut it off. It learns the computer. Do a search for it.

Wish I had the balls to try mine myself but I take it to remote areas and didn't want to risk it. I wanted the electronics to be under a gold warranty too. $665 from dealer and 1.5 hours of labor.

 

Thanks for the replies. It seems this is another very poor design by Jeep/Chrysler. What do they have in that car's design team? A bunch of monkeys?

I'll see what the dealership has to say after they inspect it.

I decided to not fix this one myself mostly because of the liability. Killing the engine can put us in a lethal situation.

The first time it killed the engine I was lucky that the highway was empty and I had enough time and space to stop it, since I lost steering and brakes. Furthermore, I have been in trails where if the engine got killed like that I might not be here typing this.

After reading all threads and posts about this issue I am having a hard time regaining trust on my Jeep. Let's see the dealer's report before I make a decision about what I'll do.

The issue now got worse, despite still completely random. The wipers now start at normal speed and the engine starts failing at the same time and shuts down by itself. I do not even need to touch the wipers' control knob. I barely have time to pull over and it can take several reboots (disconnecting the battery) before it starts again. Worst thing is that my Jeep is my DD so I have been driving it like a 90-years old.

Pissed is an understatement about how I feel about this.

 

Well if you have them diagnose it they will charge you the $150-$175 fee for it.

Just don't let them tell you it's a 3 hour labor. 1.5 hours is too much as it is. Check you tube. It's turning the key on for 12 seconds after unplugging 6 wiring harness.

 

I know you mentioned an only one y/o battery, but can you get it load tested? Could just be a bad battery. Classic symptoms!!!

 

Always a good idea to do this first. Good call.

 

Thanks! I'll do it, even though the Bully Dog tuner shows a good voltage all the time.

 

Hey Sahara, I found the issue to my problem that was causing mine to do the same thing. There was a ground that was loose right in front of the battery on the side of the engine compartment. If you lift up your hood and look a long the outer edges of the engine compartment wall you will see multiple grounds. Check them all to see if any are loose. Mine was right in front of the battery and when I got to it, it was so loose I could unscrew the rest with my finger and take it off. Since I tightened it a week or two ago I haven't had the problem. Hope it helps!