What is Your Major Malfunction???

Inet_CRD · **Posted:** Fri Sep 15, 2006 2:45 pm

I have been reading through the forum messages and there seems to be about 7 different threads for a similar issue where the CRD seems to undergo a 'Major Malfunction", for lack of a better term. It has been called a 'Shudder', 'Limp Mode', 'Tranny Stutter', and several others. I'm trying to find out if this is another common CRD issue or is unique.

Here are the symptons as I, and others, seem to have:
1. Vehicle is operating normally when 'something happens'. Some experience a bang or clunk sound at this point, others nothing.
2. Engine is seriously affected, very rough running, almost no power, can barley idle along at under 20-30MPH MAX.
3. At idle, in park, engine will stay running but is very rough, missing. Under WOT will accelerate to high idle (red line) but takes much longer to get there and is rough and missing while accelerating under no load.
4. Like magic, if the vehicle is shut down for more than 45 seconds, the problem goes away as if nothing happened.

Here are the variable symptoms:
1. CEL may or may not light.
2. May or may not throw a code.
3. May or may not be preceded by a bang or clunk sound.
4. Transmision may or may not be stuck in a particular gear.

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Fri Sep 15, 2006 4:10 pm

Sounds to me like there is a CEL code (which may or may not appear as a CEL but is there anyway) and know it or not your in "LIMP" mode meaning the transmission is in 2nd gear. You need to go to an auto parts store that will read the CEL or take it to the dealer and have them do it then you will know the repair solution.

BioJeep · **Posted:** Fri Sep 15, 2006 4:14 pm

This is what I have been experiencing, apparently due to fuel system leak:

1. Operating normally then *something happens* unbeknown to me (I can't detect what has happened).
2. Engine smoothly suffers a dramatic loss of power with a noticeable loss of turbo (it sometimes suddenly stalls instead but I suspect this is a direct symptom of the air leak rather than the computer-induced symptoms). It will continue running smoothly but I can only attain about 40 mph maximum & the tranny stays in 2nd gear (unless I floor it at low speed in which case it'll go into 1st).
3. Engine seems to idle smoothly for as long as I let it. It'll approach red line whether driving or idling.
4. Like magic, if the vehicle is shut down for more than 45 seconds, the problem goes away as if nothing happened.

This has happened a few dozen times & it has happened both with & without the CEL or a code. There has been a couple times in which a slight stumble or shudder immediately preceded the event but I'm guessing this is also a symptom of the air leak. There has also been a couple times in which it seemed I had not lost as much power as I normally do and/or the loss didn't happen as suddenly. However, I think this only seems to be the case because of my greater speed at the time of the event, which kept the tranny in a higher gear until slowing.

Inet_CRD · **Posted:** Sun Sep 17, 2006 1:05 am

Quote:

You need to go to an auto parts store that will read the CEL or take it to the dealer

I agree - and did the first time it happened. However the only code that was thrown was 0299, which the tech said was 'Turbo Under Pressure'. This is the same code that would be thrown if a CAC hose blew off. However - no loose hoses and of course runs like new when restarted. That's part of what makes this a mystery. The last two times it's happened I've done the trip meter reset turning on the ignition trick with nothing other than the ECM software version at the end. I'm pretty sure another member actually had video of this problem happening that was taken with a cel phone camera. Have had the latest ECM flash from the recall, and the problem still happens.

However, I guess based on the number of replies, this must just be a unique problem with my CRD. Was kind of hoping that other members, if any, having the same issue would leave a post. - Thanks for your reply.

Inet_CRD · **Posted:** Sun Sep 17, 2006 1:15 am

Quote:

3. Engine seems to idle smoothly for as long as I let it. It'll approach red line whether driving or idling.

BioJeep - Thanks for the reply. I'm pretty sure the problem with my CRD may be something different as the malfunction seems to happen all at once. However, the last time it happened it seemed to run slightly rough for about 30-45 seconds before going into major malfunction mode, so maybe there is something else going on like air in the fuel system. Sad to say but I kind of wish what ever is happening would completely disable the thing so I could take it in and have the dealership solve the problem. I have this gutsy feeling it's going to wait until I'm way out of cel phone coverage to fail completely...

b100 · **Joined:** Sat Sep 23, 2006 1:38 am **Posts:** 22

My wife was driving back from slc, ut. Had been raining all day, aprox 30 miles from home she dropped a co-worker off at her house. Started driving home and noticed a sudden loss of power. Drove 20 miles/hr to a flying j, thinking the b100 had started to gel (aprox 45 degrees outside temp). Generally dont have a problem above 28 degrees on unmodified fuel. Added 4 gal petro-ran fine most of the way home. Upon exiting the freeway, noticed the sudden loss of power and the CEL came on. Drove 20-25 mph the rest of the way home. I drove it around and it felt fine although the CEL was still on. Took it to the dealer to run error code and they said the fuel cap wasnt on tight. On the way home it stalled going about 45 mph. Ran fine for about 1 min then lost power (no CEL), pulled over turned off engine and immediately restarted to see if fuel related or elect. Ran fine the rest of the way home. Air leak? EGR valve? any guesses. My local dealer lost their knowlegable mechanic and none of the rest are familiar with diesels

dodgeramvan · **Joined:** Tue Sep 12, 2006 9:39 am **Posts:** 19

had similar thing happen here! started at 700kms on jeep. vehicle would shutter at 30km/hr and tranny went into limp mode. cleared codes did the tranny filter bulleton and the tranny flash. 500kms later same thing, turns out the wiring for the tranny temp sensor was grounding out on the cast aluminum bracket for the altenator. sharp point had poked through the insulation on the wire causing a short. took my tech 4 hrs to track it, believe it was the white/orange wire. May apply to others as well. :wink:

BioJeep · **Posted:** Sat Sep 23, 2006 1:51 pm

B100, my experience has been much like what you described in that it'll go into limp mode or will stall with or without the CEL and runs fine otherwise. However, once the CEL was triggered, it remained on for dozens of drives before auto resetting. Also, the loss of power and stalling has always coincided with high fuel flow rates (acceleration onto freeway, climbing hills with trailer, etc). This is the result of an air leak somwhere. The giveaway is plenty of air exiting the fuel system each time I bleed it, along with the "P0093 - Fuel system leak detected, large leak..." code. This began happening to me while running on B100 also, which is all it had seen at the time. I am certain the B100 isn't the cause although I wonder if its slightly higher viscosity may have aggravated an already defective seal as these symptoms seem to happen ever so more frequently when I am running on B100 than when I'm running on petro. Anyway, your CEL sounds different so I'm guessing so is your cause. Nevertheless, please post what is eventually found. I'll be taking mine back to the dealership but I don't have a whole lot of confidence in them. This is likely the 1st CRD they've ever serviced & I wonder how much diesel experience they have to begin with (small Californian town).

b100 · **Joined:** Sat Sep 23, 2006 1:38 am **Posts:** 22

Checked wireing around alternator and no visible damage. Took it in to the dealer after the long weekend of wondering what the heck it could be. I did finally get a code by turning the key off/on 3 times and got a code p0039. They said after hooking it up to the computer that it needed another reflash or re-reflash (Im losing count at this point). TSB 18-007-05. It ran fine so far last night, at the very least it seems to shift a little smoother-missing the hard shift from 2-3 that started after my previous reflash. But Im glad it wasnt anything serious becouse I love this thing and want it to be a good vihicle. Owned it 6 mos and already have almost 11,000 miles. Thanks for your imput biojeep and dodgeramvan. This is a great and imformative website.

Toe · **Joined:** Mon Jul 10, 2006 12:50 pm **Posts:** 44

Inet_CRD wrote:

I have been reading through the forum messages and there seems to be about 7 different threads for a similar issue where the CRD seems to undergo a 'Major Malfunction", for lack of a better term. It has been called a 'Shudder', 'Limp Mode', 'Tranny Stutter', and several others. I'm trying to find out if this is another common CRD issue or is unique.

Here are the symptons as I, and others, seem to have:
1. Vehicle is operating normally when 'something happens'. Some experience a bang or clunk sound at this point, others nothing.
2. Engine is seriously affected, very rough running, almost no power, can barley idle along at under 20-30MPH MAX.
3. At idle, in park, engine will stay running but is very rough, missing. Under WOT will accelerate to high idle (red line) but takes much longer to get there and is rough and missing while accelerating under no load.
4. Like magic, if the vehicle is shut down for more than 45 seconds, the problem goes away as if nothing happened.

Here are the variable symptoms:
1. CEL may or may not light.
2. May or may not throw a code.
3. May or may not be preceded by a bang or clunk sound.
4. Transmision may or may not be stuck in a particular gear.

This is exactly what happened to me. Driving along fine accelerating after taking a right hand turn. Suddenly the engine starts running horribly rough clunking bad. It won't rev above 1800rpm, will barely crawl along at a idle speed, shut it down for 30+ seconds, restart and it's all good. No codes that I could see doing the key trick. Hasn't done it since in the month that's past.

b100 · **Joined:** Sat Sep 23, 2006 1:38 am **Posts:** 22

Well it did it again! Worked fine for one day-for me, the wife drove it this morning and it stalled while accelerating. She is very mad and wants to get rid of the Jeep. Would a plugged fuel filter cause it to stall but still allow it to start right back up and run fine for a minute or longer?

BioJeep · **Posted:** Wed Sep 27, 2006 7:12 pm

I would think a clogged filter would be pretty consistent in its effects. I would also think that you would consistently see its effects at higher fuel demand rates versus low. BTW, a code should be generated for a clogged filter as well.

My problem has been very erratic aside from it always happening at high fuel demand rates. For example, it'll limp or stall repeatedly (even every few hundred yards) one day & then not happen again for hundreds of miles. On average tho, it'll happen once every 50 miles or so.

Toe · **Joined:** Mon Jul 10, 2006 12:50 pm **Posts:** 44

Could it be bad fuel or maybe water in the fuel?

BioJeep · **Posted:** Thu Sep 28, 2006 2:12 pm

Check the water separator. If you've run on dino diesel for enough time, then you should find water if that's the problem. The separator won't work with biodiesel, although I don't know how that effectiveness varies with concentration. I first suspected water with my problem, so I ran it as near empty as I could, filled & refilled with D100 many times (more than I wanted to, because water isn't very good if present, but didn't have much choice at the time), and then drained the water separator to find nothing but good fuel.

RFCRD · **Posted:** Thu Sep 28, 2006 10:18 pm

b100 wrote:

Well it did it again! Worked fine for one day-for me, the wife drove it this morning and it stalled while accelerating. She is very mad and wants to get rid of the Jeep. Would a plugged fuel filter cause it to stall but still allow it to start right back up and run fine for a minute or longer?

Possibly, but more likely you are "sucking air" from a leaky line or fitting. Check your hose connections carefully, especially around the filter. The more you mess with a fuel filter (or drain) on a diesel the greater the chances of having a leak. There has also been some discussion about a fuel shut-off soloniod sticking/failing causing similiar problems.

b100 · **Joined:** Sat Sep 23, 2006 1:38 am **Posts:** 22

I think they fixed it, they said the water separator was cracked an leaking. My wife has burned 3/4 of a tank in the last several days without a problem. It does seem to have a little better throttle response now but that may be that they cleaned and detailed the jeep before returning it to us. They always seem to run better without dust on the dash. Thanks for the tips, it gave me a lot of info to give to the tech.

RFCRD · **Posted:** Sat Sep 30, 2006 4:12 pm

b100 wrote:

I think they fixed it, they said the water separator was cracked an leaking. My wife has burned 3/4 of a tank in the last several days without a problem. It does seem to have a little better throttle response now but that may be that they cleaned and detailed the jeep before returning it to us. They always seem to run better without dust on the dash. Thanks for the tips, it gave me a lot of info to give to the tech.

So was the actual filter canister cracked or some other piece of hardware?

tigafila · **Posted:** Sat Oct 07, 2006 7:35 pm

I joined this forum and posted my first message because I am having the same symptoms as the folks in this thread! I was shocked when I started reading, it sounds just like my post "New Member, couple Questions". I wish there was one clear cut answer for all of us. I will look over the water seperator very carefully tomorrow. I don't want to doubt it, but it doesn't seem logical that it would start perfectly every time after the power loss. By the way, I hope your service departments are better than mine.... oh yeah, they would have to be!!!! Mine blamed the P0093 code on a loose "gas" cap (which I know wasn't loose because I had just fueled it), cleared the code, called me to pickit up! I said no offense but no way a loose cap caused power loss and stalling. They said "you're reight" but didn't offer to look further! Thanks for letting me vent (pun intended). Bill

What is Your Major Malfunction???

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