Noticed March 15th 2015 (Sunday) that the tail lights were on. I browsed forums for Jeep Patriot tail light problems, one solution would be to disconnect the battery which I did. The next morning, I plug the battery and the tail lights turn on again. I call the dealership and have an appointment booked for the next Friday. The same day, problem seemed to vanish. The next Thursday I notice that the tail lights are on again, but this time I didn't disconnect the battery. Next morning (appointment day) the battery is dead. I could start using jumper cables, drove to the dealership and turn it off. Never started again.
Dealership told me that the TIPM has to be changed ($650) and the battery too ($150). The original 60000km warranty is off because the time is over. However I bought an extended warranty but they told me these kind of warranties only cover power train components (no electronics). It's $800 and yet I don't know how much time it will take. Maybe warranty will cover it, still has to be confirmed.
Update from Apr 10, 2015: Update: nothing was covered by warranty. Total price tag: 1400$. Unless I could reprogram the whole computer myself, I had to get the job done at the dealership. They added discount to the parts to reduce the bill.
Update from Nov 2, 2015: Update 2: After the TIPM was replaced, the tail lights were still on FULL TIME. They spent 2 hours diagnosing what was wrong and they (the dealership) found a faulty break switch (like 50$) and it would have damaged the TIPM.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Noticed March 15th 2015 (Sunday) that the tail lights were on. I browsed forums for Jeep Patriot tail light problems, one solution would be to disconnect the battery which I did. The next morning, I plug the battery and the tail lights turn on again. I call the dealership and have an appointment booked for the next Friday. The same day, problem seemed to vanish. The next Thursday I notice that the tail lights are on again, but this time I didn't disconnect the battery. Next morning (appointment day) the battery is dead. I could start using jumper cables, drove to the dealership and turn it off. Never started again.
Dealership told me that the TIPM has to be changed ($650) and the battery too ($150). The original 60000km warranty is off because the time is over. However I bought an extended warranty but they told me these kind of warranties only cover power train components (no electronics). It's $800 and yet I don't know how much time it will take. Maybe warranty will cover it, still has to be confirmed.
Update from Apr 10, 2015: Update: nothing was covered by warranty. Total price tag: 1400$. Unless I could reprogram the whole computer myself, I had to get the job done at the dealership. They added discount to the parts to reduce the bill.
Update from Nov 2, 2015: Update 2: After the TIPM was replaced, the tail lights were still on FULL TIME. They spent 2 hours diagnosing what was wrong and they (the dealership) found a faulty break switch (like 50$) and it would have damaged the TIPM.
- guiboard, Grande Prairie, Alberta, canada