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07 Jeep Wrangler Limp Mode
- bpwalker
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1 year 4 months ago #65728
by bpwalker
07 Jeep Wrangler Limp Mode was created by bpwalker
I have a 2007 Jeep Wrangler 3.8L Manual Transmission that will randomly die/lose power/enter limp mode/etc while driving. The car has about 184500 miles and the issue has been going on for some time now. Neither myself or a mechanic can figure out what is wrong with it, looking to see what yall have to say.
Some details... The car will die entirely in different conditions. Doesn't matter the speed, gear, outside temp, uphill, downhill, flat, 10 minutes into a drive, 3 hours into a drive, you get the point, its completely random. When it stalls/dies, the dash will show the Throttle Control Warning Light (red lightning bolt) and occasionally a check engine light with a P0430 (sometimes 0420) code. When it happens, i turn off the car, and turn it back on. It starts up as if nothing happened and will be fine for the rest of the drive. I haven't ever had it die more than once in a drive. I can consistently get it to die if I turn it on and let it idle for 5-10 minutes. P2173 code also gets thrown sometimes
What I or a mechanic have done 'recently'
6/7/23 -Engine timing cover gasket install and water pump replacement
7/20/23 - Throttle Body Motor replacement (first time the car died all these were done)
Fuel Injection Throttle Body replacement
Engine Crankshaft pos sensor replacement
Throttle body connector replacement
3/15/24 - MAP sensor replacement (mechanic said this was bad and would fix my issue.... it didnt)
Spark plug wires and coils replaced
4/26/24- TIPM software reconfiguration (see recall number 07V291000 of which I had the mechanic do this)
Normal oil changes, all fluids are checked and fine.
Could this be an electrical grounding issue? Happy to try pretty much anything, however not really looking to spend a ton more money on a tech diagnostic.
Some details... The car will die entirely in different conditions. Doesn't matter the speed, gear, outside temp, uphill, downhill, flat, 10 minutes into a drive, 3 hours into a drive, you get the point, its completely random. When it stalls/dies, the dash will show the Throttle Control Warning Light (red lightning bolt) and occasionally a check engine light with a P0430 (sometimes 0420) code. When it happens, i turn off the car, and turn it back on. It starts up as if nothing happened and will be fine for the rest of the drive. I haven't ever had it die more than once in a drive. I can consistently get it to die if I turn it on and let it idle for 5-10 minutes. P2173 code also gets thrown sometimes
What I or a mechanic have done 'recently'
6/7/23 -Engine timing cover gasket install and water pump replacement
7/20/23 - Throttle Body Motor replacement (first time the car died all these were done)
Fuel Injection Throttle Body replacement
Engine Crankshaft pos sensor replacement
Throttle body connector replacement
3/15/24 - MAP sensor replacement (mechanic said this was bad and would fix my issue.... it didnt)
Spark plug wires and coils replaced
4/26/24- TIPM software reconfiguration (see recall number 07V291000 of which I had the mechanic do this)
Normal oil changes, all fluids are checked and fine.
Could this be an electrical grounding issue? Happy to try pretty much anything, however not really looking to spend a ton more money on a tech diagnostic.
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- Chad
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1 year 4 months ago #65730
by Chad
"Knowledge is a weapon. Arm yourself, well, before going to do battle."
"Understanding a question is half an answer."
I have learned more by being wrong, than I have by being right.
Replied by Chad on topic 07 Jeep Wrangler Limp Mode
"Knowledge is a weapon. Arm yourself, well, before going to do battle."
"Understanding a question is half an answer."
I have learned more by being wrong, than I have by being right.

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- Tyler
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1 year 4 months ago #65731
by Tyler
I'd say you're now down to getting your hands dirty and doing some testing. Or getting someone locally that has the time and know-how to do the same.
The nature of the stall/restart makes me think input problem (or interference). Less likely to be fuel delivery since it restarts immediately. I've seen other CDJR products with the P2173 fault - that fault usually isn't associated with a stall. Might be a symptom of the problem, might be unrelated.
This is HUGE if you decide to diagnose this one yourself. Being able to consistently reproduce the problem will allow you to work down a list of suspects.
I think the most important question to answer first is, what did the engine lose to make it stall? Spark, fuel, air? This is one of those times were a lab scope is invaluable, IMO. I recently had a Town & Country 3.8L that would intermittently stall. Watching the CKP (blue), CMP (yellow), spark (red) and injector pulse (green) during the stall revealed the problem:
All it took was a couple of skewed CKP pulses, and the PCM took spark and fuel injector pulse away. This is the kind of thing you'll want to be looking for during the stall.
Replied by Tyler on topic 07 Jeep Wrangler Limp Mode
Neither myself or a mechanic can figure out what is wrong with it, looking to see what yall have to say.
I'd say you're now down to getting your hands dirty and doing some testing. Or getting someone locally that has the time and know-how to do the same.
The nature of the stall/restart makes me think input problem (or interference). Less likely to be fuel delivery since it restarts immediately. I've seen other CDJR products with the P2173 fault - that fault usually isn't associated with a stall. Might be a symptom of the problem, might be unrelated.
I can consistently get it to die if I turn it on and let it idle for 5-10 minutes.
This is HUGE if you decide to diagnose this one yourself. Being able to consistently reproduce the problem will allow you to work down a list of suspects.
I think the most important question to answer first is, what did the engine lose to make it stall? Spark, fuel, air? This is one of those times were a lab scope is invaluable, IMO. I recently had a Town & Country 3.8L that would intermittently stall. Watching the CKP (blue), CMP (yellow), spark (red) and injector pulse (green) during the stall revealed the problem:
All it took was a couple of skewed CKP pulses, and the PCM took spark and fuel injector pulse away. This is the kind of thing you'll want to be looking for during the stall.
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