Engine starts but then dies

tailfeathers · **Joined:** Fri Dec 16, 2011 7:23 pm **Posts:** 13

I have read posts on this forum for quite some time and found everything most helpfull but I am new to join. If this issue has been discussed please let me know, as I could not find anything about this.

I installed the 5 volt glow plug kit in my 2006 liberty sport crd, I then took it to the dealer to have the ECU flashed for the 5 volt plugs.
Durring the flash the dealer said the the ECU went bad and I needed a new one, Over 800 bucks plus labor to install it. I said it was running just fine when I brought it in, the dealer told me it wasn't his fault.
I towed the jeep back home and purchased a remanufactured ECU online for $350.00. When I purchased it they wanted my VIN number and milage so they could program ECU WITH VIN INFORMATION,
MILEAGE AND LATEST SOFTWARE DOWNLOAD/UPGRADE
FROM CHRYSLER WEBSITE.
I received the ECU and installed it and the jeep starts and rins for about 3 seconds then dies. I have checked the fuel for air and there was no air in the fuel. I have checked everything I can think of and can not find any problems.
The jeep just won't stay running.
Any help would be appriciated.

Thanks

cerich · **Posted:** Fri Dec 16, 2011 8:58 pm

sounds like your anti theft system

msilbernagel · **Posted:** Fri Dec 16, 2011 10:29 pm

cerich wrote:

sounds like your anti theft system

Yes, it does...

tailfeathers · **Joined:** Fri Dec 16, 2011 7:23 pm **Posts:** 13

How can I check for sure and solve the problem if it is the anti-theft system?
Honestley I didn't know there is an anti-theft system on the vehicle, this is my wifes vehicle and I have never really paid much attention to it.

ebbnflow · **Posted:** Sat Dec 17, 2011 1:54 am

It sounds like they did not program the skim codes for your keys into the ecu. There is red circle that illuminates on the dash for 3 seconds when the key is turned on. If this light stays on, then either your key went bad or your ecu is not programmed for the key.

tailfeathers · **Joined:** Fri Dec 16, 2011 7:23 pm **Posts:** 13

Ok I will put the ECU back in the jeep and check the dash light tommorow.
I have been reading in the owners manual about the security features and the manual says if the dash light flashes an invalid key is being used to start the jeep.

ebbnflow · **Posted:** Sat Dec 17, 2011 3:52 am

Your right. I just know the light goes out after 3 seconds if the key is good. I had a key die on me. Try all your keys.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Sat Dec 17, 2011 9:52 am

X2 on the security system/key issue. If you don't want to deal, sorry, with the dealer or the folks you bought the ECU from to fix this problem I suspect Keith and GDE can correct if for a nominal fee. Whatever you do be sure that whomever does the programming remembers to turn the cruise control feature on; failure to do so is all too common.

As to your original ECU going bad during programming I'd bet small sum of money the dealer screwed up and either won't admit it or doesn't know what they did. When programming the ECU factory instructions are crystal clear that it's essential to hook the battery up to an external power source to maintain optimum power levels. Failure to do so can result in a power drop that either 1) fries the ECU or 2) locks it up which requires some sort of password from Corporate to unlock the ECU. Lots of posts on this over the years. You may want to followup on this at least to the Division Rep level.

tailfeathers · **Joined:** Fri Dec 16, 2011 7:23 pm **Posts:** 13

I sent the ECU that the dealer screwed up to kieth at GDE, he said it was locked up an only a dealer could bring it back to a working state. The dealer won't do anything except try to sell me a new one. I contacted Chrysler cusomer relations and they noted my complaint but they told me all they would do is keep a record of the number of complaints against a dealer.

tailfeathers · **Joined:** Fri Dec 16, 2011 7:23 pm **Posts:** 13

I put the ECU back in the jeep this morning, it started and ran for about 3 seconds again. The security light stays on.
I had a local mechanic put his code reader on and it read a code po513, I looked the code up and found,

P0513-INVALID SKIM KEY .
P0513-SKIM SYSTEM INVALID KEY CODE RECEIVED
P0513-SKIM SYSTEM READ ACCESS TO EEPROM FAILURE.
P0513-SKIM SYSTEM WRITE ACCESS TOEEPROM FAILURE.
P0513-SKIM SYSTEM WRITE ACCESS TO EEPROM FAILURE.

I tried both keys and got the same results, I asuume the keys are ok as both keys will lock and unlock the doors so I don;t think the keys are bad or have dead batteries.

The mechanic found some insructuons through a program he subscribes to on the internet about how to get rid of the issue by cycling the ingnition on and off several times and waiting 10 seconds between cycles, he tried it but that didn't fix the problem.
The Machanic told me he would do some more research and try to find out how he could resolve the issue.

ebbnflow · **Posted:** Sat Dec 17, 2011 2:55 pm

The skim can go bad and the remote unlock will still work. I doubt this is your problem though.

You need a dealer or locksmith to program your ecu for the keys.

You can only use the procedure in the manual if you have 2 working keys to program a third.

tailfeathers · **Joined:** Fri Dec 16, 2011 7:23 pm **Posts:** 13

Talked to GDE and they said the Vin # was wrong. Sent the ECM to GDE and they put the correct Vin # in along with the correct injector codes.
Got the ECM back and installed it into the Jeep and it starts and runs fine .
I also found a company in Florida that said they could unlock my original ECM that the dealer said was burned out, I sent it to them and they unlocked it and programed it with the latest updates.
Got it back and installed it in the jeep and everything runs fine so now I have 2 ECU's and one Jeep.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Wed Dec 28, 2011 7:51 pm

tailfeathers wrote:

Talked to GDE and they said the Vin # was wrong. Sent the ECM to GDE and they put the correct Vin # in along with the correct injector codes.
Got the ECM back and installed it into the Jeep and it starts and runs fine .
I also found a company in Florida that said they could unlock my original ECM that the dealer said was burned out, I sent it to them and they unlocked it and programed it with the latest updates.
Got it back and installed it in the jeep and everything runs fine so now I have 2 ECU's and one Jeep.

Was this the company in florida that reset your old ECU?
http://autocomputerperformance.com/

Big Montana · **Posted:** Wed Dec 28, 2011 9:10 pm

tailfeathers wrote:

Talked to GDE and they said the Vin # was wrong. Sent the ECM to GDE and they put the correct Vin # in along with the correct injector codes.
Got the ECM back and installed it into the Jeep and it starts and runs fine .
I also found a company in Florida that said they could unlock my original ECM that the dealer said was burned out, I sent it to them and they unlocked it and programed it with the latest updates.
Got it back and installed it in the jeep and everything runs fine so now I have 2 ECU's and one Jeep.

This tells me two things. One, I like GDE and they will get my business again when I install my new TC. Two, you need the dealership to know they cost you hundreds of dollars in unnecessary repairs. They almost cost you $800.00. That shouldn't happen. At the very least they owe you some free labor... not that you would want it from them.

I hope you're not in Michigan. I would hate to end up at their business.

tailfeathers · **Joined:** Fri Dec 16, 2011 7:23 pm **Posts:** 13

Yes the company in Florida was Auto Computer Performance, they was great to do business with and Scotty explained everything so even I could understand what he was talking about. He even sent a print out of the process that unlocked the ECM and the upgrade.
Kieth at GDE was excellant also as he took the time to answer all my questions so I could better understand what he was going to do and why he was doing it. I purchased an Eco tune from him and am looking forward to getting that put in.

It seems alot of the dealerships have a bunch crackpot techs. working on vehicles and they don't have the slightest clue as to what they are doing or maybe they just want to sell new parts to customers when the original part is not bad at all.
I did file a complaint with the chrysler customer service dept., I will follow up with the outcome of the original ECM the dealer said was bad with the dept.
A lawyer friend gave me a number for the Chrysler National Center for Dispute Settlement and said I should file a complaint with them before I take legal action.
I will also file a complaint with the BBB. Believe me Shore motor company in Clarinda Iowa has not heard the last of this by a long shot.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Thu Dec 29, 2011 10:31 am

See my earlier post about what the dealer probably did or more precisely did not do which is follow the instructions on programming an ECU which includes the need to hook the battery to an external power source while programming. You are not the first and, unfortunately, probably not the last person who had an ECU "bricked" due to an incompetent tech. At minimum they need to make you fiscally whole for their screw-up.

For what it's worth this is not a KJ CRD or even Jeep/Chrysler issue or for that matter even an automotive issue. Even your digital camera instructions say to be careful to have full power when downloading pictures or updating software lest low power cause a system crash.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Thu Dec 29, 2011 7:14 pm

tailfeathers wrote:

Yes the company in Florida was Auto Computer Performance, they was great to do business with

Yes I did business with them once before for a SKIM delete and they were good. I will keep them in mind for future ECU work(SKIM deletes and such).

Engine starts but then dies

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