Jeep won't start, maybe alarm issue

swanyo · **Posted:** Sat May 08, 2010 9:13 pm

Battery is good, starter is good, we think the problem is the factory alarm system. Is there something I can do to reset it? Otherwise I'm towing it to the dealer monday. This happened one time before when the jeep was new, dealer had to reset.

SavageUrge · **Posted:** Sat May 08, 2010 10:06 pm

Did you try disconnecting the battery for 15 minutes? I believe that will reset the fuel cut-off switch. It could be that it's bad, or you could try pulling the fuse to it as well. Are there any other solutions in the manual?

jnaut · **Posted:** Sat May 08, 2010 11:40 pm

swanyo wrote:

Battery is good, starter is good, we think the problem is the factory alarm system. Is there something I can do to reset it? Otherwise I'm towing it to the dealer monday. This happened one time before when the jeep was new, dealer had to reset.

Same thing happened to me. I tested all my relays, removed the starter... all good. Ended up being ignition switch. New steering column. Fun times. :juggle:

swanyo · **Posted:** Sun May 09, 2010 1:34 am

jnaut wrote:

swanyo wrote:

Battery is good, starter is good, we think the problem is the factory alarm system. Is there something I can do to reset it? Otherwise I'm towing it to the dealer monday. This happened one time before when the jeep was new, dealer had to reset.

Same thing happened to me. I tested all my relays, removed the starter... all good. Ended up being ignition switch. New steering column. Fun times. :juggle:

Oh Joy! I hope it's not something like that. I will try disconnecting the battery for awhile and see if that does anything. I just hate technology sometimes!
Thanks for the replies.

jnaut · **Posted:** Mon May 10, 2010 3:59 pm

swanyo wrote:

jnaut wrote:

swanyo wrote:

Battery is good, starter is good, we think the problem is the factory alarm system. Is there something I can do to reset it? Otherwise I'm towing it to the dealer monday. This happened one time before when the jeep was new, dealer had to reset.

Same thing happened to me. I tested all my relays, removed the starter... all good. Ended up being ignition switch. New steering column. Fun times. :juggle:

Oh Joy! I hope it's not something like that. I will try disconnecting the battery for awhile and see if that does anything. I just hate technology sometimes!
Thanks for the replies.

Keep us updated. I'm curious to know what your problem ends up being. When I took it to the shop and discussing it with the tech, he and I both agreed it was probably the Neutral Safety switch in the trans. Nope, ignition switch is what it ended up being.

swanyo · **Posted:** Tue May 11, 2010 1:46 pm

Looks like I have to replace the steering column also. Dealer said they have not seen it before, but I had to laugh considering the response from jnaut. Another $600 bites the dust!

jnaut · **Posted:** Tue May 11, 2010 6:19 pm

swanyo wrote:

Looks like I have to replace the steering column also. Dealer said they have not seen it before, but I had to laugh considering the response from jnaut. Another $600 bites the dust!

Boo and ya.

I had a feeling...

And nope, you're not the first person by far. I was pissed about mine. I considered that an unacceptable failure. My love for my Jeep went from a 10 to an 8.7 after that.

Sorry dude, I feel for ya. Seriously.

She's like a hot chick, you gotta keep an eye on her.

MojaveKJ · **Posted:** Tue May 11, 2010 10:36 pm

swanyo wrote:

Looks like I have to replace the steering column also. Dealer said they have not seen it before, but I had to laugh considering the response from jnaut. Another $600 bites the dust!

I just ordered a steering column today, $317 w/tax and on back order. I'm hoping its not too seriously difficult to remove and replace.

jnaut · **Posted:** Wed May 12, 2010 2:27 am

MojaveKJ wrote:

swanyo wrote:

Looks like I have to replace the steering column also. Dealer said they have not seen it before, but I had to laugh considering the response from jnaut. Another $600 bites the dust!

I just ordered a steering column today, $317 w/tax and on back order. I'm hoping its not too seriously difficult to remove and replace.

Serial? For real? Let us know how that replacement goes. I swear if mine ever goes out again I don't want to drop another $600 for the job. If you get it replaced, try to put up a how-to. Bet a lot of KJ owners would appreciate.

swanyo · **Posted:** Wed May 12, 2010 11:43 am

jnaut wrote:

MojaveKJ wrote:

swanyo wrote:

Looks like I have to replace the steering column also. Dealer said they have not seen it before, but I had to laugh considering the response from jnaut. Another $600 bites the dust!

I just ordered a steering column today, $317 w/tax and on back order. I'm hoping its not too seriously difficult to remove and replace.

Serial? For real? Let us know how that replacement goes. I swear if mine ever goes out again I don't want to drop another $600 for the job. If you get it replaced, try to put up a how-to. Bet a lot of KJ owners would appreciate.

I requested to be able to view the old column when I pick up the Liberty today, If I can see what broke I will try to take pictures with a description. I would like to have some ability for trail repair instead of being stranded out in the middle of nowhere.

swanyo · **Posted:** Wed May 12, 2010 9:13 pm

That small piece of broken metal cost me $600 and several days without the jeep, glad I wasn't out in the desert. At least now I will know and should be able to get myself started.

That little piece of metal turns the ignition. Hope this saves someone from getting stuck and maybe some money.

MojaveKJ · **Posted:** Wed May 12, 2010 11:29 pm

jnaut wrote:

MojaveKJ wrote:

swanyo wrote:

Looks like I have to replace the steering column also. Dealer said they have not seen it before, but I had to laugh considering the response from jnaut. Another $600 bites the dust!

I just ordered a steering column today, $317 w/tax and on back order. I'm hoping its not too seriously difficult to remove and replace.

Serial? For real? Let us know how that replacement goes. I swear if mine ever goes out again I don't want to drop another $600 for the job. If you get it replaced, try to put up a how-to. Bet a lot of KJ owners would appreciate.

I think I'm going to document this one as best I can for a proper write up. The parts guy at my local dealer said there are 11 on back order, mine is the 12th and there is no projected delivery date so I don't know when I'll be doing this.

Wish me luck!

MojaveKJ · **Posted:** Wed May 12, 2010 11:35 pm

Quote:

Serial? For real? Let us know how that replacement goes. I swear if mine ever goes out again I don't want to drop another $600 for the job. If you get it replaced, try to put up a how-to. Bet a lot of KJ owners would appreciate.[/quote]

I requested to be able to view the old column when I pick up the Liberty today, If I can see what broke I will try to take pictures with a description. I would like to have some ability for trail repair instead of being stranded out in the middle of nowhere.[/quote]

There actually is an easy way to get around the ignition switch and start the KJ. You still need to be able to turn the key to ON in order to unlock the steering wheel and shift into gear. Though there is way to defeat the shifter lock too.

I wont post the info here for obvious reasons but PM me and I'll try to describe it to you and tell you what the secret tool is that makes it all possible!

Love my KJ!!

MojaveKJ · **Posted:** Wed May 12, 2010 11:38 pm

swanyo wrote:

That small piece of broken metal cost me $600 and several days without the jeep, glad I wasn't out in the desert. At least now I will know and should be able to get myself started.

That little piece of metal turns the ignition. Hope this saves someone from getting stuck and maybe some money.

XACTLY what happened to mine! How long did it take the dealer to get the steering column?

And it's a crappy design is you ask me.

swanyo · **Posted:** Thu May 13, 2010 12:14 am

XACTLY what happened to mine! How long did it take the dealer to get the steering column?

And it's a crappy design is you ask me.

[/quote]

My problem was that I tried to start the Jeep after work on Friday, was towed to a local gas station near my house that evening. They didn't look at until Saturday and couldn't figure it out. Sunday the service dept. at the dealer was closed not to mention it was Mothers day. So dealer didn't get to diagnose until monday, got the part later on Tuesday and fixed on Wed. It amazes me that something so simple could have me stuck, I will file this one away probably never to be needed again. I agree! Crappy design.

jnaut · **Posted:** Thu May 13, 2010 3:01 pm

MojaveKJ wrote:

I think I'm going to document this one as best I can for a proper write up. The parts guy at my local dealer said there are 11 on back order, mine is the 12th and there is no projected delivery date so I don't know when I'll be doing this.

Wish me luck!

A good mechanic once told me to call the dealer and ask them how many of a given part they order per month. He said if they say they sell a lot, then that's a sign that part is problematic.

Jeep won't start, maybe alarm issue

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