UK Cherokee KJ Renegade Glow Plug replacement - Please Help!

cgyule · **Joined:** Tue Feb 08, 2011 1:34 pm **Posts:** 10

Greetings from Scotland,

My 2004 Cherokee KJ has been smoky for a while on start up.
We've replaced the relay but my local garage is struggling with the Glow Plugs.

We've got four in a box but they can't see how to put them in the engine without removing the manifold and the rockers.
Don't want to be doing that and can't believe that this is the only way to switch the plugs.

Thought this would be the best place to ask - I'm betting you guys swap them for laughs in five minutes!

I'm NOT technical but I CAN print out any instructions, tips, tricks or videos you can recommend.
Alright, not the videos but I can download them for him.

Your help would be very much appreciated...

Chris

papaindigo · **Posted:** Tue Sep 13, 2011 1:36 pm

If you have the 2.8L VM CRD motor take a look at BlackLibertyCRD's post at viewtopic.php?f=5&t=56696&p=630729&hilit=GLOW+removal#p630729. If you have the 2.5L VM CRD motor take a look at Sir Sam's NOOB guide; if you scroll down there is a link to various copies of the Factory Service Manuals which includes the 2003 FSM which I suspect covers the 2.5L engine.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Tue Sep 13, 2011 2:54 pm

Welcome to the forum, as soon as you get a chance, check out the noob guide.

yes it it possible to replace the glow plugs without removing the intake(which also means removing the timing belt and re-timing the engine - not a fun job.

The best piece of advice I can give your mechanics is to remove the intake elbow from the intake, this will allow better access to the glow plugs. it will also help to remove some various stuff in the way(filter head etc).

You can see the glow plugs and harness hiding behind the intake elbow, if you remove that it should make things a fair amount easier to get to:

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Tue Sep 13, 2011 3:05 pm

Here you can also kinda see the glow plugs:

cgyule · **Joined:** Tue Feb 08, 2011 1:34 pm **Posts:** 10

Gentlemen - thank you for such detailed instructions.
There was so much here - far more than I even hoped.

I've printed off the details and I'll pass them to the garage as soon as I can make an appointment.

I will also check the noob section - just to check that I don't ask any foolish questions in future!

papaindigo · **Posted:** Tue Sep 13, 2011 6:58 pm

There are no foolish questions about KJ CRDs unless you count the question you should have asked when failure to do so was expensive. Now that doesn't mean we won't point you toward some obscure chat on the forum that previously answered the same question as sometimes memory is better than the search function.

In fact, I cheat and keep a file on my PC of Jeep technical issue documents pulled from the forum for exactly that reason.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Tue Sep 13, 2011 7:16 pm

papaindigo wrote:

There are no foolish questions about KJ CRDs.

True but there are foolish answers.

"If there are no stupid questions......how can there be stupid answers?"

Billwill · **Posted:** Wed Sep 14, 2011 11:03 am

cgyule wrote:

Greetings from Scotland,

My 2004 Cherokee KJ has been smoky for a while on start up.
We've replaced the relay but my local garage is struggling with the Glow Plugs.

We've got four in a box but they can't see how to put them in the engine without removing the manifold and the rockers.
Don't want to be doing that and can't believe that this is the only way to switch the plugs.

Thought this would be the best place to ask - I'm betting you guys swap them for laughs in five minutes!

I'm NOT technical but I CAN print out any instructions, tips, tricks or videos you can recommend.
Alright, not the videos but I can download them for him.

Your help would be very much appreciated...

Chris

What glow plugs are you putting in? The original type ceramics I presume!....newer metal ones are a lower voltage and need the ECM to be reprogrammed.

cgyule · **Joined:** Tue Feb 08, 2011 1:34 pm **Posts:** 10

Hi Bill,

I am going to check - they were bought with a new relay from Jeep - I will pass on the caution to the mech boys.

Incidentally everyone, thanks to the clear and comprehensive instructions, the garage are going to make the switch over next Wednesday.

Your help has made a big difference!

Chris

papaindigo · **Posted:** Fri Sep 16, 2011 12:53 pm

Sounds like you got the metal glow plug kit that in the US is part #68090434AA. It comes with 4 new glow plugs and a new controller. As billwill indicates that for sure needs a reflash of the ECU to reduce the current to the glow plugs from 7v to 5v. Except for GDE that flash would have to be done by a dealer so if the folks installing your plugs are not connected with a dealer the solution is to install the plugs and wiring but DO NOT hook the wiring to power until you get a dealer to reflash your ECU. If the dealer doesn't know what you are talking about refer them to TSB 08-005-11

cgyule · **Joined:** Tue Feb 08, 2011 1:34 pm **Posts:** 10

Thanks Papaindigo.

I've passed those details to the mechs too.

I've asked them to check whether I've got the ceramic 7v or new 5v metal ones.
I don't hold out much hope and it sounds like the dealership will hit me hard for the flashing of the ECU.

Maybe they'll show mercy...

Ajamant · **Posted:** Mon Sep 19, 2011 12:32 pm

They shouldn't charge more than around 100$ for a simple reflash..... Still ridiculous

UK Cherokee KJ Renegade Glow Plug replacement - Please Help!

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