New CRD owner

lincmercguy · **Joined:** Thu Oct 24, 2013 11:45 pm **Posts:** 13

I just bought a CRD for my wife. It's an '06 with about 125k miles. I found a lot of good information here before and after buying. I think I have a good one, just have a couple of things to fix. I know that these aren't maintenance/repair free vehicles, so I knew I was getting into that. I read through the noob guide, which has a ton of great info. Thank you for that. I'll be going through it and checking those things this weekend.

Besides a pinion seal, rear brakes, and some new lift cylinders for the rear glass, I'm working to find out if the timing belt has been replaced. No information on the carfax. Any telltale signs that it has been replaced? I'm not sure if I'd be able to tell by looking at it unless it was just done.

I did have the ESP/BAS light come on the other day. The ABS light was not on. I've read some information that points to a likely steering position sensor. Is there a way to read any codes without dealer equipment? I have an OBD-II scan tool, but I imagine that just accesses the PCM, not the ABS/TCM.

On keys, is there a way to program a new key without the dealer? I only have one key, but I see uncut keys on ebay for about $30. Is the key programming just for the remote, or is there a PATS-type system in there as well?

Just a bit of background about me: I'm a broadcast engineer that farms on the weekends. I farm with old equipment, so repair work doesn't scare me. I also worked as a mechanic through college at a Lincoln/Mercury dealer (hence the screen name). I also own a '03 Ram 2500 with the CTD and a six-speed. It's been a great truck for me, and I love having the diesel engine. I'm hoping a get a similar experience with this car. The Liberty is actually for my wife to drive, but it will also be our "family" car (I hated driving her Focus).

I know that EGR modifications are big here, but I live in the emissions area in CO. I think they just check opacity, but I'm not sure if they look for any modifications. It passed emissions just fine.

Anyway, here's the new to us Liberty:

Here's my truck, hauling wheat seed this fall:

arengant · **Posted:** Fri Oct 25, 2013 1:50 am

Welcome, where are you located?

Hexus · **Posted:** Fri Oct 25, 2013 10:07 am

Alright then, first things first.

I would probably call a Jeep Dealer and give them your VIN and they can pull a service history for free. (If they're not pricks) Check there first to see if they have history of a timing belt job.

You really can't visually see if the job has been done, even with the timing cover off you wouldn't truly be able to tell. If Jeep doesn't have a record of it then I would make that Priority #1.

You might check your proximity to Sir Sam, he's a well respected member of the forums who's done many timing belt jobs and he lives in CO as well. (I know it's a big state, but you never know) At the least for advice or possibly tools to use for the job, yes there's equivalents but why not use the stuff that was designed for it?

Amazon has lift Cylinders cheap, get those, they're on mine and work great.

The ABS light might be the wiring on the wheel hubs rubbing, check the front wheel hubs on the back side to ensure the wire hasn't rubbed and is shorting. You may as well replace both of those, it's a simple 2-3 hour job to do both and you get new ABS sensors in the front anyway while you're at it.

You really need a GDE ECO tune, the sooner the better, like yesterday if you can afford it, tomorrow if you cannot afford it today. This will not effect emissions testing, I passed with mine no problem.

The dealer has to program the key, it's based on your VIN IIRC and it's proprietary.

When you get the GDE ECO Tune, by the tuner with it and you'll have a code scanner THAT WORKS. You can also store your tune in there in case of "DEALER OBD-RAPE SYNDROME" which has effected a few here as well.

All in all, good luck, if you need help just ask, most of us have been through it.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Fri Oct 25, 2013 10:17 am

Welcome to the list!

There are a lot of very knowledgeable KJ CRD persons on this list! If you got a question, post it and I bet you will get an answer. As to the timing belt; in the same boat as you as I bought an 05 back in the summer with 139k and could find no record or proof of belt change. Not taking no chances after reading all the horror stories on this list when a belt breaks and the damage that incurs. Got all the new parts bought, am only waiting on the tool kit which I ordered from England. Hopefully it will be here today and I plan to do the change out next week and clean all the gunk out of the inter-cooler and hoses while I got them off... Key to this vehicle, get rid of that EGR by whatever means you can afford. If you got the funds, Green Engineering reprogram is the way to go. If not make a plate and block of the EGR inlet pipe and then remove the flow control plate in the FCV. Lots of information on this list on how to do all of this....
Happy Wheeling! :JEEPIN:

lincmercguy · **Joined:** Thu Oct 24, 2013 11:45 pm **Posts:** 13

arengant wrote:

Welcome, where are you located?

Thanks. I'm north of Denver.

lincmercguy · **Joined:** Thu Oct 24, 2013 11:45 pm **Posts:** 13

Hexus wrote:

Alright then, first things first.

I would probably call a Jeep Dealer and give them your VIN and they can pull a service history for free. (If they're not pricks) Check there first to see if they have history of a timing belt job.

You really can't visually see if the job has been done, even with the timing cover off you wouldn't truly be able to tell. If Jeep doesn't have a record of it then I would make that Priority #1.

You might check your proximity to Sir Sam, he's a well respected member of the forums who's done many timing belt jobs and he lives in CO as well. (I know it's a big state, but you never know) At the least for advice or possibly tools to use for the job, yes there's equivalents but why not use the stuff that was designed for it?

Amazon has lift Cylinders cheap, get those, they're on mine and work great.

The ABS light might be the wiring on the wheel hubs rubbing, check the front wheel hubs on the back side to ensure the wire hasn't rubbed and is shorting. You may as well replace both of those, it's a simple 2-3 hour job to do both and you get new ABS sensors in the front anyway while you're at it.

You really need a GDE ECO tune, the sooner the better, like yesterday if you can afford it, tomorrow if you cannot afford it today. This will not effect emissions testing, I passed with mine no problem.

The dealer has to program the key, it's based on your VIN IIRC and it's proprietary.

When you get the GDE ECO Tune, by the tuner with it and you'll have a code scanner THAT WORKS. You can also store your tune in there in case of "DEALER OBD-RAPE SYNDROME" which has effected a few here as well.

All in all, good luck, if you need help just ask, most of us have been through it.

I didn't think to try the dealer history, that's a good idea. I take it Chrysler has a central history? With Ford, it was only warranty work that was shared. If it's dealer by dealer, that might be more difficult since there are many here. I can always hang the potential of buying a key through them if they don't want to share. Otherwise, I'll have to replace it. I completely understand the consequences in an interference engine. I still have all of my tools from swinging wrenches. I'm sure there's a cam hold down kit involved.

On the abs thing, the abs light was not on just the esp has and the tcs light. Wouldn't a bad wheel speed sensor trip the abs light too?

I'll have to read up on the tune. If I didn't work on the south side of town, I'd move out of the emissions area and get into the 51st state while I'm at it.

thermorex · **Posted:** Fri Oct 25, 2013 12:19 pm

For vehicle history, if you got the jeep from a dealer, they usually include a carfax where you can see if any work was done and what. Of course, no info regarding timing belt could be that the previous owner did it himself, but better safe than sorry and do it anyways since is cheap insurance and I see you also don't mind some grease on your hands. Tech forum is also a great source of info.

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