I turned on my car and saw my battery indicator illuminated on the dash (for the 1st time since owning it). Didn't seem like a big deal-- I can just go and have the battery tested and replaced, if needed. That's not the case. I started driving and just as I stopped at a stop sign, ALL the indicators on the dash illuminated, & my windshield wipers came on. I tried to pull over to the side of the road, but my Jeep completely died.
I had my car towed to my house($291), tried to jump start it twice, still didn't work. I had a mobile mechanic at my house the next day for diagnostics ($75). The alternator shorted out. I ordered and replaced the alternator ($524), the car still wouldn't start. (Will write separate report for the following): Battery checked fine, alternator was no longer shorted to ground. More diagnostics ($75) found electrical issue right at the computer (pcm). Ordered & replaced PCM (after waiting around 1 month to find a PCM, have it coded to my jeep, and shipped) ($704 & learning to have more patience). Now I have a new computer and a new alternator.. should start, right? Nope! It's not even trying to turn-over. New mechanic comes to the house & codes my key fob to the new computer ($105). Now, my jeep is turning over, but not starting. More diagnostic testing ($75) to find that "maybe" it's the wiring harness. I give up and had it towed ($50- thanks to insurance) to a mechanic shop that was recommended by a friend. I'm sure they hated my jeep just as much as I did because they had to start from scratch and figure out what was wrong. Long story short, they ended up replacing the entire wiring harness that goes right up to the PCM -AND- put in another PCM. ($1850)
I waited 4 months with no car except for the occasional rentals I'd get ($1620). I just got it back yesterday (31AUG2017) and will be getting rid of it this weekend.
While my jeep was in the shop, I had to re-new the registration that expired a week before I got it back. (Frustrating knowing that I would be getting rid of it) ($490)
I didn't take it to the dealership because I know it would've been extremely expensive and they would've insisted on fixing the other problems (separate from all of this). Plus, the shop I took it to had a mechanic from the Jeep dealership there in the evenings. And, I honestly just thought it would be a quick and easy fix with the mobile mechanic.
I've had this Jeep for a little over 1.5 years. December 2017 will be my 2 year mark.
I will be getting a refund for the 1st PCM.
Overall: $5,809.00 (currently out of my pocket-before PCM refund), 4 months with no car, and the upmost hatred for this Jeep & Chrysler products.
To add a little more frustration: 1. There is a recall for the alternator for 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. My Jeep falls in the time frame, but it's not specific to my VIN.
2. The warranty expired a couple weeks before this happened
3. There was another 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee at the shop (same make & model) with the EXACT same problem.. only difference- his electronic transmission went with it as well.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I turned on my car and saw my battery indicator illuminated on the dash (for the 1st time since owning it). Didn't seem like a big deal-- I can just go and have the battery tested and replaced, if needed. That's not the case. I started driving and just as I stopped at a stop sign, ALL the indicators on the dash illuminated, & my windshield wipers came on. I tried to pull over to the side of the road, but my Jeep completely died. I had my car towed to my house($291), tried to jump start it twice, still didn't work. I had a mobile mechanic at my house the next day for diagnostics ($75). The alternator shorted out. I ordered and replaced the alternator ($524), the car still wouldn't start. (Will write separate report for the following): Battery checked fine, alternator was no longer shorted to ground. More diagnostics ($75) found electrical issue right at the computer (pcm). Ordered & replaced PCM (after waiting around 1 month to find a PCM, have it coded to my jeep, and shipped) ($704 & learning to have more patience). Now I have a new computer and a new alternator.. should start, right? Nope! It's not even trying to turn-over. New mechanic comes to the house & codes my key fob to the new computer ($105). Now, my jeep is turning over, but not starting. More diagnostic testing ($75) to find that "maybe" it's the wiring harness. I give up and had it towed ($50- thanks to insurance) to a mechanic shop that was recommended by a friend. I'm sure they hated my jeep just as much as I did because they had to start from scratch and figure out what was wrong. Long story short, they ended up replacing the entire wiring harness that goes right up to the PCM -AND- put in another PCM. ($1850) I waited 4 months with no car except for the occasional rentals I'd get ($1620). I just got it back yesterday (31AUG2017) and will be getting rid of it this weekend. While my jeep was in the shop, I had to re-new the registration that expired a week before I got it back. (Frustrating knowing that I would be getting rid of it) ($490) I didn't take it to the dealership because I know it would've been extremely expensive and they would've insisted on fixing the other problems (separate from all of this). Plus, the shop I took it to had a mechanic from the Jeep dealership there in the evenings. And, I honestly just thought it would be a quick and easy fix with the mobile mechanic. I've had this Jeep for a little over 1.5 years. December 2017 will be my 2 year mark. I will be getting a refund for the 1st PCM. Overall: $5,809.00 (currently out of my pocket-before PCM refund), 4 months with no car, and the upmost hatred for this Jeep & Chrysler products.
To add a little more frustration: 1. There is a recall for the alternator for 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. My Jeep falls in the time frame, but it's not specific to my VIN. 2. The warranty expired a couple weeks before this happened 3. There was another 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee at the shop (same make & model) with the EXACT same problem.. only difference- his electronic transmission went with it as well.
- ambershardee, Chula Vista, US