Friends CRD issues

cerich · **Posted:** Fri Feb 15, 2008 10:41 am

So when I got my CRD (05 Limited)I had a good friend also get one (a 2005 Sport)

Since new he has had intermittent issues with his ABS light coming (abs sensor replaced 4 times) on while driving and his cruise control not working.

While now at 45,855 miles (his odometer also stoped for a short while...) it has been in the shop 2 weeks. They have changed the "body control unit a $900 part" (ECU???) the wiring harness has been changed again (3rd time since new)

Prior to going into the shop this time he had the back window open all by itself, lock actuate on their own constantly, turning the radio on actually causes the locks to go, the lock buttons don't work.

anybody have any idea??? the shop is admitting they are lost apparently, STAR is useless his car has been broken into on the lot and his GPS stolen. He can't even pick another shop because the vehicle is apart.

He has a aftermarket tow harness put on by the dealer when he got it (dealer sent out to a 3rd party shop) I suggested he have them look at that.

he is in MD bty.

Thanks,

Oh yeah his wife is pissed at me for recommending the CRD!

dgeist · **Posted:** Fri Feb 15, 2008 12:38 pm

Why do shops change the same thing multiple times.... it's probably a short or something similar cauing the malfunctions. It's the BCM, btw, that controls the windows and such. I'd unplug the harness of the BCM and look for a short with a voltmeter to start.

Dan

cerich · **Posted:** Fri Feb 15, 2008 1:09 pm

thanks, passed along.

PhoenixCRD · **Posted:** Fri Feb 15, 2008 3:14 pm

Had it in the shop several times, replacing wheel sensors, ABS module and still had warning light. Someone on this group suggested a bad wire(s). I relayed that info to the mechanic who traced down some bad wiring and replaced said wiring. Haven't had a problem since.

Gary

dieseltoyz · **Joined:** Wed Oct 17, 2007 11:28 pm **Posts:** 64

Of course this is just a guess, but it sounds to me like a grounding issue within the main dash harness. This would explain the erratic behavior of electrical stuff like the locks. If he has keyless entry, the locks will click on and off if you monkey with the power source. When the radio places a load on the electrical system, it places a load on the grounding points. If one is intermittent due to vibration etc, then a bunch of stuff will be affected. I would do a tone out on the grounding points within the dash harness and work my way through the harness. He should recommend replacing the dash harness as it's a $288 part and most likely the problem. This would also account for the ABS light. If he is shorting fuses, then it is a +12v issue where it is making contact with a ground (aka: a short). Either way, the diagnosis would be to replace the dash harness or find out if he has excess paint etc on one of the grounding points causing intermittent connection. -Todd

manganos · **Posted:** Fri Feb 15, 2008 7:25 pm

The abs light issue. That was prob the 1st of 30 things that went wrong on mine. Let me look at the info. Yep. Replace clockspring sensor. That problem was fixed. Good luck.

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Fri Feb 15, 2008 8:39 pm

Check where harnesses go through metal openings, if the grommet gets cut it can cause a lot of problems. Since the Liberty is built by humans who go on break, eat lunch and go home, the most likely cause of this problem could be an oversight. Harnesses and components can be bench tested and even if they aren't, sound manufacturing techniques can eliminate repeat failures of these items, assembling them is another matter. Even on old British sports cars, the problems are simple, corroded connections, loose plugs, wire fatigue where the crimp connector attaches to the wire, or wounded harnesses as described above.

Look for the following:
1) Harness grommet not properly installed in the hole through the body panel, it will cut through the insulation and short to ground. I have fixed allot of these with liquid electrical tape and tape.
2) Harnesses pinched between two body components or something that attaches to the body.
3) Something like a screw threaded through a harness.

Was the CRD bought used and may be a fixed up salvage Jeep?

To help educate your self, go to a salvage yard and look at an older stripped down Liberty and see how they rout the wiring harnesses. I saw two this past week when I was shopping for skid plates and a V6 air box that I found from a 2003.

Steve

barnez224 · **Joined:** Fri Jan 19, 2007 11:28 am **Posts:** 130

where in MD is your friend?

bugnout · **Posted:** Fri Feb 15, 2008 11:09 pm

I've had the same issue with my ABS light coming on. I believe its a computer glitch and not an ABS issue. It does occur when braking, but no adverse affect to the braking performance. It happens very infrequently, and when it occurs the odometer stops counting up. A restart of the vehicle clears the problem.

It happens so infrequently that I just live with it, waiting for it to fail completely. I don't think the ABS is actually affected, I think they missed an exception case in the software and the computer just gives up.

I think its occurred a couple of dozen times in 50k miles.

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Fri Feb 15, 2008 11:21 pm

To check if the ABS is working no gadget can do what a Tech can do with a test drive, stomp on the brakes on some ice or other slick surface. You will know if your ABS is working.
My Wifes TDI had her ABS light come on and I stomp tested it and found out that it works on all wheels but the one with the bad sensor I will replace.
BTW I have no problem finding a place to do this in Kane County, IL.

FYI: If you start a Liberty "06 with the plug under the rear seat unplugged that goes to the rear ABS and fuel tank to install a lift pump, you will need to do a couple restarts to clear the ABS light, been there done that. Then my Chrysler Bean Counter Optima got real sicko.

Steve

cerich · **Posted:** Sat Feb 16, 2008 1:06 pm

thanks everybody, I am going to get him to join and read this himself.

It was new off the lot, not a rebuilt wreck.

DZL_LOU · **Posted:** Sat Feb 16, 2008 3:56 pm

The BCM or Body Control Module is not the ECU and is a separate sub system that controls portions of the vehicle not engine related. The lights, dash, locks and tailgate are controlled by the BCM.

cerich · **Posted:** Tue Feb 19, 2008 3:25 pm

UPDATE

There were two wires in the drivers side door that shorted and fused together.

He has been told that should fix it all now.

dgeist · **Posted:** Tue Feb 19, 2008 4:19 pm

cerich wrote:

UPDATE

There were two wires in the drivers side door that shorted and fused together.

He has been told that should fix it all now.

Glad to hear it. Also glad that every single person here responded to check the thing that it probably was instead of what the mechanic did ...throw money at the problem.... I'd rather have any one here than a dealer. we cost a lot less, too :wink:

cerich · **Posted:** Tue Feb 19, 2008 4:40 pm

the stealership has cost DC a fortune and my buddy about three weeks of rentals...

I personally don't go to the dealer until I read up here first then go armed with knowledge.

I expect to keep my CRD a long time, living in central Georgia and not seeing any snow and salt sure helps!

Friends CRD issues

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