The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a car with a stable design structure and reliability when driving off-road.
However, there are problems that the car owners face which can be seen during the engine start.
The vehicle is either a no-crank or crank-no-start, but as much as they may seem like very serious problems, they can be dealt with more efficiently if the causes are known.
The following text will mention some of the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s starting issues, followed by some solutions to those problems.
Common Starting Issues
If the Jeep Grand Cherokee does not start, it means there are some faulty components. Some of the more frequently occurring starter problems are:
- No Crank, No Start: This is the case when the key is turned or the engine start button is pressed and the engine doesn’t respond in any way.
- Engine Cranks but Does Not Start: The engine attempts to start but is unsuccessful in doing so.
- Intermittent Starting Issues: The car is unreliable and it does not work sometimes letting the driver down.
Diagnosing No Crank, No Start
In case the Grand Cherokee is not cranking and is in a no start no crank condition, follow this process:
1. Check the Battery
The first thing to do is to check the battery. In most cases, the cause of starting problems is a faulty battery.
The battery terminals should be tightened, cleaned, and free of corrosion. If the battery is slightly low, jump start the car or change the battery to a new one whenever required.
2. Inspect the Fuses and Relays
Then, look for any blown fuses or/and relays within the starting system.
Fuses that control the starter relay which is usually located inside the fuse box are very important for vehicle start.
If the relay is damaged, it may inhibit the starter from being energized through its power supply. Employ a multimeter to check the relay and be sure to replace any that are faulty.
3. Examine the Starter Circuit
After ensuring the battery and fuses are good, you proceed to check the starter motor circuit.
A test light will ensure that power gets to the starter when the ignition switch is turned to the right position.
In the absence of power, the problem may be located in the ignition switch or the ignition circuits.
4. Verify the Park/Neutral Position
In the case of automatic gearboxes place the gear lever in Park or Neutral. The vehicle may not start because of a damaged transmission range sensor.
The vehicle will not crank if it is in gear. It is also important to assess whether the transmission control module (TCM) is optimally communicating its position to the engine control module (ECM).
5. Assess the Engine Control Module (ECM)
To turn the car, one must utilize the ECM, which is why it would also be responsible for sending a start signal to the starter relay.
An ECM defect could be one reason but it may not be the only reason as it can as well fail to deliver the required signals.
In case all other systems are sound, an evaluation of the ECM by professionals may be called for.
When the Engine Cranks but Does Not Start
If your Jeep Grand Cherokee cranks but there is no start, one or several of the components should be investigated to determine the cause factor which in this case would be fuel or ignition.
For this purpose, these actions are advisable:
1. Check for Fuel Delivery
The fuel system should be activated by the fuel pump. A humming sound is audible when power is turned on to the ignition as the pump ought to be working.
If there is no sound, carry out tests on the fuel pump relay and replace it as necessary. The fuel filter should also be checked for any impurities that could obstruct fuel passage.
2. Inspect the Ignition System
Any starting procedure must involve the ignition system of the engine. Examine the spark plugs and replace them for any that are fouled or damaged.
Look over the ignition coils for sufficient spark from the plugs.
3. Look for Fault Codes
Use a scan tool such as an OBD-II scanner to look for any diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) that may point specifically to a problem with the engine or the electrical system.
Investigate the codes that appear as they give you negative information and assist in determining the problem.
Intermittent Starting Problems
When diagnosing malfunctioning jeeps, the intermittent starting problems can become particularly more troublesome. This could be attributed to various reasons and their solutions.
1. Corroded or Loose Connections
Make sure to check all wires connected to the starting system including the battery terminals, the grounds, and the harness wires.
Loose or corroded connections may interrupt the power supply, hence causing failure in starting.
2. Faulty Ignition Switch
When the switch fails, it causes the key to struggle to start the ignition. If the key switch is not reliable during start-up due to wavering issues, replace it.
3. Security System Malfunction
Some Jeep models have security devices that immobilize the engine if certain conditions are not met.
If this applies to your car, check the owner’s guide to learn how to reset the security device.
Conclusion
In conclusion, among the several reasons for having starting issues in the Jeep Grand Cherokee include but are not limited to, battery failure, relay failure, or even problems within the ECM.
Addressing each component allows an orderly evaluation of the problem enabling the user to rectify the concerned component.
FAQs
Why does my Jeep struggle to start?
There could be many factors if your jeep is not starting. Eliminating the battery from consideration is the first step. Usually, a fully or semi-drained battery is to be blamed.
Look at the connections and see whether the terminals are rusted and if the two of them are fastened properly. Now look towards the starter motor. If that too is weak, it can fail to engage.
It is also possible that the ignition switch is defective and does not allow the starter to obtain power. Fuel delivery problems can also crop up.
A fuel filter that’s dirty or a faulty fuel pump will block the fuel supply. Lastly, the spark plugs also have to be examined.
If the plugs are fouled or burnt out, the burning process itself can be disrupted. Delving into these specifics can assist in narrowing down the source of the problem and enhance starting performance.
What are the common problems with Jeep Grand Cherokee?
There are common complaints about the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Transmission problems are frequent, especially with the older models.
Owners have complained of harsh and unsuccessful shifting transmission.
And other problems arising include electrical faults which interfere with the dashboard gauge with the infotainment system also being a culprit.
There is the possibility of suspension problems which may lead to rough tyre wear and have a bad impact on rides.
Another recurring theme with the Jeep Grand Cherokee is the compounded issue with the fuel pump and this would lead to stalling and other start-up issues.
There are also complaints about A/C from some models. As for the Jeep Grand Cherokee, there seems to be a chronic problem with its oil leakage.
How to get a Jeep Grand Cherokee to start?
To engage the start ignition of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, place the car gear to P or N. Key in the ignition and turn that switch or push the ignition switch if the car has that feature.
Depress the brake pedal in order to disengage the gear from P. See that the lights on the dashboard are up.
In the case of a failure to crank, one should take note of the sound of a low click to suggest the presence of a battery that is weak.
If the situation demands, apply a jump start. Check the battery for signs of corrosion and make sure that the terminal connections are secure.
If the engine cranks but does not start, look for the fuel level. This may mean a defective fuel pump or spark plugs might also be the cause.
Why is my car having a hard start?
Car owners may notice that their vehicles are unusually hard to start. The first is that a weak battery may be incapable of supplying sufficient energy.
Some battery cables might be corroded, which could be checked easily. Secondly, the fuel system might be faulty and hence not working.
A clogged fuel filter or defective fuel pump may cause the movement of fuel to be restricted. Thirdly, ignition troubles may be the case.
In most cases, if an SUV has old spark plugs or is having an issue with the ignition coil, it would lose combustion.
Also, there may be disruptions in the air-fuel mixture due to air intake problems or malfunctioning of the sensors. Four behind the starter motor, which should be the last consideration.
What is the life of a Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The lifespan of a Jeep Grand Cherokee is usually between 10 to 15 years.
This, however, is subject to some variations with respect to maintenance practices, driving patterns, and ecological factors.
Lube replacement and tire rotation, among regular servicing, greatly offer life extension to it.
Many owners express high praise for their longevity and endurance, particularly in off-road conditions.
But still, some components’ work, for example, transmission and suspension, may be out of order due to the inevitable wear and tear.
Providing proper attention for example trying to get rid of rust and never exposing rust to harsh conditions also helps.
With appropriate attention, some models have been known to surpass the 200,000-mile marker.
Which sensor causes a hard start?
A faulty crankshaft position sensor (CKP) can frequently be the cause of a hard crank when starting the vehicle. This sensor is used to detect the location and speed of the crankshaft.
A faulty crankshaft position sensor may lead to the ECU not getting the right information.
This condition affects the timing of fuel injection which further leads to the scenario where starting the engine becomes a hard task.
And besides, the hard start problems can be caused by a malfunctioning camshaft position sensor (CMP) as well.
The camshaft position sensor (CMP) works with matching CKP to enable timely ignition of the engine. If both of these sensors are affected, the engine finds the process of starting rather challenging.
The use of time-based intervals and service diagnostics will allow us to find these sensor problems and fix them.