[keepthejeep?]

It was love at first sight when I met my 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9L Limited. So fun with all the bells and whistles... not to mention the amazing power.

Unfortunately, I am so disenchanted with my Grand Cherokee that I'm considering getting another car after less than two years. So many things have gone wrong.... When I ask local mechanics what to do, I just get a lot of people telling me to take this car to the dealership. If that's the case, I might as well save the money I'd spend on fixing it and use it as a down payment on a new vehicle.

My question for this forum is... based on the list of problems I have had with this Jeep so far, would you trade it in or fix it? If you would fix it, are these things easy enough to fix on my own with the right reference material? Or are most of these problems something that a dealership needs to take care of?

Since that day here's a list of all the things that have quickly gone wrong...

1. Dummy Gauge computer in center of dash reports "Coolant Sensor Bad" - I had a mechanic change the coolant sensor twice and it still says this. The constant beeping is driving me insane.
2. Dummy Gauge computer in center of dash reports "Rear Lamp Failure" - This is the latest problem. My brake lights and turn signals work just fine.
3. Vehicle surges and speeds up dangerously when I engage the cruise control.
4. Brakes seem to have a hot spot and make a warble noise.
5. Brakes have always squeeked.
6. Sunroof is stuck and won't open.
7. Driver's side heated seat is not functioning.
8. Driver and passenger mirrors seem to have a mind of their own and won't hold any adjustments.
9. Engine pings loudly when accelerating.
10. Speedometer is five MPH off.

Any advice you have to share would be immensely appreciated.

[ajmorell]

I wouldn't get rid of it. There are a few things on your list that are fairly common problems such as the VIC sending false notifications of burnt out bulbs and the sort. Do a search and you can find more info on that. Everything else seems to be minor problems, with the exception of the engine pinging, which could be a result of not running the required premium gasoline. As for the speedo, are you still running stock sized tires? If not that is why it is off.

[CLNinja]

yeah most things are an easy fix

VIC and coolant sensor thing happens with mine too

you may not think you have a bulb out but ill guarantee you do
the 3rd brake light has 3 bulbs..check all of those...then pull off the tail lights and check the 3 bulbs in there as well as the small 194 side marker bulbs. then check your license plate bulbs...

are you running premium fuel? if not you need to be..the 5.9 requires it


have you checked your brake pads and rotors? if not i highly suggest doing so...also inspect your calipers

[keepthejeep?]

Yes, I'm using Premium fuel and it still does the pinging.

What about recalls? Are any of these things on recall like the brakes or the quirky electrical system?

I see that these are all minor repairs, but do you have any suggestions as to how much these minor repairs may cost? I don't want to be taken for a ride at the dealership and any advice you have would be very helpful.

[Wiley]

If you don't want to be taken for a ride at the dealership, don't take it to the dealership. Find a reputable shop where the work will be done at a fair price. Or better yet, do some research and fix the problems yourself. There are no recalls concerning the problems you're having, AFAIK.

[ajmorell]

Only a few of those things may be worth taking it to the dealership for, like the sunroof. The others any local mechanic should be able to diagnose, especially the engine pinging and the brakes.

[Texas ZJ1]

The predonation can be caused by a faulty intake plenum gasket, bad plugs, distributor, bad ECU or a couple o' things.

not just fuel.

Hunter

[CLNinja]

try disconnecting the sensor and the lamp outage module from the back of the VIC so that they dont beep and annoy you anymore

here is everything you need to know about the VIC

[ajmorell]

Originally Posted by Texas ZJ1

The predonation can be caused by a faulty intake plenum gasket, bad plugs, distributor, bad ECU or a couple o' things.

not just fuel.

Hunter

Hunter, WTH is predonation....did you mean detonation?

[keepthejeep?]

Thanks TheOtherMatt! The documentation on the VIC is something I have been searching for. Where can I find this kind of documentation for my Jeep model?

[wildchildfla]

Do you have the drivers side mirror still? I need power, heated, with memory mirror? Thanks, WC

[keepthejeep?]

My tires are stock size, so that can't be the problem with the speedometer. I've read that a kinked speedometer cable could be the problem with the cruise control surging. The cruise control problem has got worse to the point where it is dangerous to use. Do you think these problems are interrelated?

Also, I read that there were lots of recalls on the brakes for this model. Where can I find out about the recalls? The last mechanic I had look at my brakes said they looked brand new but that was shortly after I first purchased it.....

Are the sunroofs known for sticking? Any tips?

What about the heated seat issue? This may be the least of my problems, but is this something I can fix with proper reference material?

[keepthejeep?]

Sorry - not ready to part out my Jeep yet. If anyone here wants to make a bid on the whole thing - problems and all, feel free to shoot me an offer though!

[CLNinja]

the sheet i posted is a photocopy of the sheet my mechanic gave me from AllData

as far as the cruise control goes you can start by checking the actually cruise control cable. it is mounted to the throttle body right beside the throttle cable

as far as recalls...go here http://www.jeep.com/owners/index.html and there is a spot to type in your VIN and they will send you a list of recalls for your jeep and what has and has not been performed

have you checked fuses for the heated seats?

[keepthejeep?]

Nope, I haven't checked the fuses. The passenger heated seat works perfectly (as a matter of fact my mother-in-law likes it entirely too much....).

Do you have a diagram for the heated seats as well (like the one above for the VIC)?