problem after problem

JeepPilot · **Posted:** Sun Aug 24, 2008 11:03 pm

It's been a rough few weeks with all sorts of problems arising in my Liberty. I'll list them off in order of occurance:

- CEL came on and gave me code P0442 about a month ago. Reset the light and made a 450 mile trip to my college last week. When I arrived, my CEL came on again, this time giving me code P0455. I replaced hoses near the fuel tank and reset the light about 48 hrs ago, still waiting to see if the light comes back on.

- On my 450 mile drive back to college, my CD player/Radio crapped out and completely failed about halfway through the trip. I drove 275 miles in complete silence. The CD Player/Radio has since come back to life and seems to have been working just fine the past week. The unit has been replaced once already because the previous one died.

- Blew out one of my Michelin tires while avoiding a head-on collision. Someone did not stop at their stop sign and I had to swurve to avoid him. Caught the sidewall of my right rear tire on a tall curb. Completely destroyed the tire, needs to be replaced.

- Got in my Liberty tonight and it would not start. Dash lights flickered and I heard a rapid clicking noise, but it would not turn over. Had to get jump-started to drive home. Saw might CEL blink a few times in the process, but it did not remain on. What does that mean, is it catalytic converter failure?? Or is it as simple as replacing the battery??

Just gave my Liberty a major $1200 service a few weeks ago as well. Not a happy camper right now, to say the least.

Ms5490renegade · **Posted:** Sun Aug 24, 2008 11:08 pm

did that clicking noise come from the dash/engine area? i helped a lady in an 03 liberty who had that sound. her battery was dead/dying.

JeepPilot · **Posted:** Sun Aug 24, 2008 11:12 pm

Ms5490renegade wrote:

did that clicking noise come from the dash/engine area? i helped a lady in an 03 liberty who had that sound. her battery was dead/dying.

yes, that's exactly where the sound was coming from! so it really is as simple as replacing the battery?? i really hope so.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sun Aug 24, 2008 11:17 pm

Quote:

- CEL came on and gave me code P0442 about a month ago. Reset the light and made a 450 mile trip to my college last week. When I arrived, my CEL came on again, this time giving me code P0455. I replaced hoses near the fuel tank and reset the light about 48 hrs ago, still waiting to see if the light comes back on.

Those rubber hoses will wear out after time from gas vapor exposer,happens to all vehicles after time.Might want to check the gas cap also since that rubber o-ring will crack also after time.Not a big issue,less then $1 to fix.

Quote:

- On my 450 mile drive back to college, my CD player/Radio crapped out and completely failed about halfway through the trip. I drove 275 miles in complete silence. The CD Player/Radio has since come back to life and seems to have been working just fine the past week. The unit has been replaced once already because the previous one died.

Can't help you on that one,buy a aftermarket head unit.

Quote:

- Blew out one of my Michelin tires while avoiding a head-on collision. Someone did not stop at their stop sign and I had to swurve to avoid him. Caught the sidewall of my right rear tire on a tall curb. Completely destroyed the tire, needs to be replaced.

Not yours or your KJ's fault.

Quote:

- Got in my Liberty tonight and it would not start. Dash lights flickered and I heard a rapid clicking noise, but it would not turn over. Had to get jump-started to drive home. Saw might CEL blink a few times in the process, but it did not remain on. What does that mean, is it catalytic converter failure?? Or is it as simple as replacing the battery??

Well since you have a '02 KJ and if it is a OEM battery you are due for a battery anyway.Batteries are a wear item and OEM Chrysler batteries seem to only want to last for 3-4 years at best.

JeepPilot · **Posted:** Sun Aug 24, 2008 11:23 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

Quote:

- Blew out one of my Michelin tires while avoiding a head-on collision. Someone did not stop at their stop sign and I had to swurve to avoid him. Caught the sidewall of my right rear tire on a tall curb. Completely destroyed the tire, needs to be replaced.

Not yours or your KJ's fault.

haha, i enjoyed your response to my blown out tire, tjkj! i know, not my KJ's fault, but naturally it had to occur amongst other problems.

as for CEL codes P0442 P0455, i replaced the dry, cracked rubber hoses as well as the gas cap. hoping that solved the problem, time will tell.

the factory battery was replace in '04 or '05 with a Duralast battery. so that makes this battery roughly 4 years old.

CrossBones · **Posted:** Sun Aug 24, 2008 11:45 pm

JeepPilot wrote:

the factory battery was replace in '04 or '05 with a Duralast battery. so that makes this battery roughly 4 years old.

Sounds about right. However I would test the battery (yourself) with a meter before dropping that hard earned cash on a new one. Again, odds are it's time for a new juice box. And if the battery needs replacing, I would recommend to you either an Optima, or an AC Delco "Professional" Series ( these are not your basic Delco's) battery.

Let's hope your luck changes for the better now.

JeepPilot · **Posted:** Sun Aug 24, 2008 11:57 pm

thanks Crossbones, i'll have to take a look at the two options you've provided me.

AaronCherokee · **Posted:** Mon Aug 25, 2008 8:27 am

The clicking is a sure sign of a battery issue. It could be loose cables or a very weak battery. The battery has the power to click the starter solenoid relay, but not enough power to turn the engine. Your dome light probably dims as well.

KJTUGA · **Posted:** Mon Aug 25, 2008 8:45 am

Hi,
If you are going for a new battery, I would go with an Optima, I have it on mine since day one(feb 2003) and it still going strong, I have a red one but if you want/need something stronger get the yellow top(more $$$ but more juice as well)

kjsport05 · **Posted:** Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:44 am

when you see that cel light come on and start flashing .... do not continue to drive cause that means something serious is wrong with it.

RespectMyLibertay · **Posted:** Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:33 am

Check to make sure your battery connections are tight. If they are the slightest bit loose, the vehicle may not start. Just wiggle them around and then tighten them so you can't wiggle them anymore.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Aug 25, 2008 1:00 pm

Just be glad youve not had any real problems. Most of those are minor problems that are very easy to fix.

JeepPilot · **Posted:** Mon Aug 25, 2008 3:33 pm

thanks for the advice everyone. seems like m Duralast battery is still running strong, but i'll definitely be getting an Optima when it's time to replace.

drove down the road to my local AutoZone today. they rolled out a big machine and tested my battery and my alternator for free. they found absolutely nothing wrong with both components. the guy suggested cleaning my battery leads, which were caked with corrosion by the way. so i disconnected the leads, cleaned em real good with a wire brush, retightened them and sprayed them down with protectant.

my CEL does not flash. i saw it blink a few times while trying to start my dead Liberty last night, but it has remained off eversince. i was initially concerned b/c the blinking CEL has to do with a failing catalytic converter, but i don't beleive it's a problem. i've driven 10 miles today, CEL free.

JPaul · **Posted:** Mon Aug 25, 2008 9:33 pm

I just had my oem chrysler battery die on me as well, mine is an '05 so if your '02 lasted this long, it's either a replacement for the original or you got really lucky.

I second the opinion of getting an Optima. I put in a Yellow top to replace mine, it is a hefty investment, but worth it in the long run. I have never had a battery last more than a few years.

The stock batteries seem to like to run strong right up until the moment they die. it isn't a gradual thing. one day you'll be perfectly fine, the very next morning it'll be more useless than a screen door on a submarine. My battery was able to be jumpstarted, and when I got to checker they tested it and everything was supposedly fine, except that it was at 35% life. 5 minutes later the car wouldn't start at all.

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:21 pm

Mine did about the same thing a couple of weeks ago, was sort of hesitant to start at the store, then cel flashed one time, got home and threw the RedTop in I had waiting for that right moment, ....took care of everything. But 108,250 miles on the original I didnt think was too bad, Hope the Red Top lasts as long :wink:

pipeliner · **Posted:** Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:25 pm

My 2006 CRD came with an Optima Red Top as standard in Australia.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Tue Aug 26, 2008 8:32 am

Check the connection to your starter/solenoid. Mine was loose when I was back in Ohio and all I got was loud clicking noises. I tried jumping it but nothing just clicking. I touched the connector to the starter/solenoid and found it loose, then it started up with ease. No jumper connected.

JeepPilot · **Posted:** Tue Aug 26, 2008 10:42 am

Tokyojoe wrote:

Check the connection to your starter/solenoid. Mine was loose when I was back in Ohio and all I got was loud clicking noises. I tried jumping it but nothing just clicking. I touched the connector to the starter/solenoid and found it loose, then it started up with ease. No jumper connected.

Could you point out where the starter/solenoid connection is, preferably in a picture?? Not sure if that would be the problem, but it's definitely worth taking a look at. Eversince I cleaned my battery terminals really well, my Jeep has started without any problems and it runs just fine.

problem after problem

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