2002 Jeep Liberty / Cherokee: Steering Failure.

geepster · 01-14-2008, 11:26 AM

Hi,

I own a 2002 Jeep Liberty / Cherokee with approximately 10500miles / 16898km on the clock.

Its been a solid reliable drive with no problems with the steering, until the other day.

As I attempted a left turn, the steering wheel froze, allowing for no movement.

After coming to a stop I turned off the engine and removed the key.

A few moments later, I placed the key back in the ignition and started up the engine. Full rotation had returned.

So what could the problem be?

Mechanical or electrical?

I doubt the issue is with the steering rack and or pump as the vehicles nature has not exhibited any of the tell tale signs.

Personally, I'm more inclined to believe that the failure lies with the ignition locking mechanism, and if so, how does one test for such failings?

Any help will be greatly appreciated,

Thank You Kindly!

merlinTec · 01-14-2008, 12:26 PM

Hi
Would it allow you to turn right? I disagree I believe it will be more likely pump or rack.
Regards,
Merlin

daxiet · 01-15-2008, 07:50 AM

Did it feel the same as when the ignition lock is active?

geepster · 01-15-2008, 05:45 PM

Thanks for your quick responses and in answer to your questions....

MerLinTec - Yes the steering wheel does have right rotation and steers normally, except for when the steering wheel locks.

daxiet - It felt exactly the same as when the ignition lock is active!

So which one could it be?

And what would be the tests be to check for either fault?

Thank You Kindly, As Always! Geepster

daxiet · 01-16-2008, 02:12 AM

Going on logic I would say depending on the circuitry of the lock system, that it got activated. The turning on and off of the vehicle may have reset this glitch. However Merlin would have a much better understanding of these systems.

Has it happened again, or was it a once off?

geepster · 01-16-2008, 11:00 AM

daxiet

Having had time to think about it, the fault has happened once before.

To guesstimate a time frame between both failures, I would say a period of 4 months would of lapsed.

At both times I had been travelling at low speed. i.e. under 10mph.

Since the first and second time that the fault occurred the Jeep has had an MOT (a UK Standardised testing, enforced on vehicles over the age of 3 years to check for road worthiness) and no mechanical faults were discovered relating to the steering.

If the failure is electrical I could imagine how such a glitch could go unnoticed as an MOT test simply couldn't recreate the conditions under which the fault occurred.

MerlinTec

Why do you believe the fault to be mechanical i.e. rack pump, over electrical i.e. circuitory of the ignition system?

As I have detected none of the signs noramlly associated with a troubled steering rack.

And if anyone knows, how much should I expect to pay to have the wrongs righted?

Thank you Kindly,

Geepster

merlinTec · 01-16-2008, 01:57 PM

Hi
The steering lock is mechanical and there is no way the lock can come on with the key turned and I would be unlikely when you couldn’t turn it it was at the position the lock would be on. (if you can remember please remove the key and check). You have said low speed and so low engine speed = low pump speed = lower pressure. That’s why I asked if you could turn right and so a possible valve fault.
Regards,
Merlin

geepster · 01-16-2008, 05:03 PM

MerLinTec

Thanks for your response.

So, it could be a valve in the steering pump that has given up the ghost?

Low engine speed = Low pump speed = Low pressure and that could cause the steering wheel to lock if a valve in the steering pump is faulty?

Are there any tests I could run to ascertain as to whether this is correct?

Thanks for your patience and thoughts,

I think we are getting there!

merlinTec · 01-17-2008, 01:13 AM

Hi
If you can’t get it to do it again then not much you can do as any test will pass. I thinking more rack then pump if you can turn right but not left. Sorry is only guesswork till you can get it to fault again. Had the same thing on GC and voyagers and it’s been rack/box but not had this on a KJ.
Regards,
Merlin

geepster · 01-18-2008, 01:20 AM

MerlinTec & Jeep Forum

When I placed the key back in the ignition and started up the engine, after the fault. Full rotation had returned to the steering wheel. I even gingerly drove the Jeep home. Making both left and right turns without the steering wheel seizing.

Sitting in the jeep the over day the steering was responsive with the engine at idle. Both left and right rotation was fine.

Out of interest,

Does anyone know what the ballpark figures are to have:

a) A new steering rack fitted.

b) to have a new Steering pump fitted.

c) to have a new ignition lock fitted.

Thanks for all your advice!

daxiet · 01-21-2008, 01:48 AM

No answers on the ball park figures, but I was crusing down a nice mountain pass and your problem crossed my mind again. If my steering locked up at that point I would be rolling on down the side of the pass in no time. It is a very dangerous bug to have. Really disconcerting to say the least.

Dobie lover · 01-21-2008, 11:39 PM

I just had a steering rack & pinion replaced on my 2003 Liberty and using non-jeep parts it was about $1100 US dollars. Had dealer do it.

geepster · 01-23-2008, 12:27 PM

So I took the Jeep to the Local council run MOT Centre so they could run a diagnostic.

As their sole purpose is to test vehicles for road worthiness and safety their advice is impartial, and less likely to be tainted because they are not affiliated with any car company or dealership. Neither are they licensed to carry out vehicle repair work or maintenance.

After informing them of the steering fault, I asked them to pay particular attention when inspecting the steering rack and steering pump.

The result of the test was that neither Steering rack nor Steering pump exhibited any signs of failure, and therefore past the test for road worthiness.

So when I asked what could of caused the problem the technician explained that the fault could lie with a slackness in the steering pump belt, and suggested that I had that changed.

The technician then went on to say that if the fault happened again after changing the Steering pump belt, I should change the Steering pump.

And if that didnt work then change the steering rack.

So the domino effect begins!

Any responses to this quandry are more then welcome!

Hoping to hear from the forum soon!

Thank You Kindly,

Geepster!

merlinTec · 01-23-2008, 03:00 PM

Hi
As your belt is auto adjusted unlikely to be slack in the belt unless you had a tensioner fault and that would not come and go and you would get noises. How old is your belt? Until the fault is there you can only guess. If you can only turn it one way I would go rack if you can’t turn in right or left I would go pump.
P.S whatever you go for make sure to flush the lines.
Regards,
Merlin

geepster · 01-24-2008, 07:23 AM

MerlinTec,

Once again thanks for all your advice as always!

- What 'lines' do you refer to when you suggested that they be given a flush?

- The belt is 5 years old, as is the vehicle.

- Do you have any idea what the UK price would be on a new steering rack pump?

Thanks again forum,

Hope to hear from you soon!

01-14-2008, 12:26 PM	#2
merlinTec Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: England Posts: 2,944 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Hi Would it allow you to turn right? I disagree I believe it will be more likely pump or rack. Regards, Merlin __________________ UK Chrysler Jeep Master Tec.

01-15-2008, 07:50 AM	#3
daxiet Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rustenburg, RSA Posts: 76 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Did it feel the same as when the ignition lock is active? Last edited by daxiet; 01-15-2008 at 12:17 PM..

01-15-2008, 05:45 PM	#4
geepster Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: UK Posts: 7 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	2002 Jeep Liberty / Cherokee: Steering Failure Thanks for your quick responses and in answer to your questions.... MerLinTec - Yes the steering wheel does have right rotation and steers normally, except for when the steering wheel locks. daxiet - It felt exactly the same as when the ignition lock is active! So which one could it be? And what would be the tests be to check for either fault? Thank You Kindly, As Always! Geepster

01-16-2008, 11:00 AM	#6
geepster Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: UK Posts: 7 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	2002 Jeep Liberty / Cherokee: Steering Failure. daxiet Having had time to think about it, the fault has happened once before. To guesstimate a time frame between both failures, I would say a period of 4 months would of lapsed. At both times I had been travelling at low speed. i.e. under 10mph. Since the first and second time that the fault occurred the Jeep has had an MOT (a UK Standardised testing, enforced on vehicles over the age of 3 years to check for road worthiness) and no mechanical faults were discovered relating to the steering. If the failure is electrical I could imagine how such a glitch could go unnoticed as an MOT test simply couldn't recreate the conditions under which the fault occurred. MerlinTec Why do you believe the fault to be mechanical i.e. rack pump, over electrical i.e. circuitory of the ignition system? As I have detected none of the signs noramlly associated with a troubled steering rack. And if anyone knows, how much should I expect to pay to have the wrongs righted? Thank you Kindly, Geepster

01-16-2008, 01:57 PM	#7
merlinTec Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: England Posts: 2,944 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Hi The steering lock is mechanical and there is no way the lock can come on with the key turned and I would be unlikely when you couldn’t turn it it was at the position the lock would be on. (if you can remember please remove the key and check). You have said low speed and so low engine speed = low pump speed = lower pressure. That’s why I asked if you could turn right and so a possible valve fault. Regards, Merlin __________________ UK Chrysler Jeep Master Tec.

01-16-2008, 02:12 AM	#5
daxiet Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rustenburg, RSA Posts: 76 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Going on logic I would say depending on the circuitry of the lock system, that it got activated. The turning on and off of the vehicle may have reset this glitch. However Merlin would have a much better understanding of these systems. Has it happened again, or was it a once off?

01-16-2008, 05:03 PM	#8
geepster Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: UK Posts: 7 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	2002 Jeep Liberty / Cherokee: Steering Failure. MerLinTec Thanks for your response. So, it could be a valve in the steering pump that has given up the ghost? Low engine speed = Low pump speed = Low pressure and that could cause the steering wheel to lock if a valve in the steering pump is faulty? Are there any tests I could run to ascertain as to whether this is correct? Thanks for your patience and thoughts, I think we are getting there!

01-17-2008, 01:13 AM	#9
merlinTec Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: England Posts: 2,944 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Hi If you can’t get it to do it again then not much you can do as any test will pass. I thinking more rack then pump if you can turn right but not left. Sorry is only guesswork till you can get it to fault again. Had the same thing on GC and voyagers and it’s been rack/box but not had this on a KJ. Regards, Merlin __________________ UK Chrysler Jeep Master Tec.

01-18-2008, 01:20 AM	#10
geepster Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: UK Posts: 7 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	2002 Jeep Liberty / Cherokee: Steering Failure. MerlinTec & Jeep Forum When I placed the key back in the ignition and started up the engine, after the fault. Full rotation had returned to the steering wheel. I even gingerly drove the Jeep home. Making both left and right turns without the steering wheel seizing. Sitting in the jeep the over day the steering was responsive with the engine at idle. Both left and right rotation was fine. Out of interest, Does anyone know what the ballpark figures are to have: a) A new steering rack fitted. b) to have a new Steering pump fitted. c) to have a new ignition lock fitted. Thanks for all your advice!

01-21-2008, 01:48 AM	#11
daxiet Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rustenburg, RSA Posts: 76 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	No answers on the ball park figures, but I was crusing down a nice mountain pass and your problem crossed my mind again. If my steering locked up at that point I would be rolling on down the side of the pass in no time. It is a very dangerous bug to have. Really disconcerting to say the least.

01-23-2008, 12:27 PM	#13
geepster Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: UK Posts: 7 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	2002 Jeep Liberty / Cherokee: Steering Failure. So I took the Jeep to the Local council run MOT Centre so they could run a diagnostic. As their sole purpose is to test vehicles for road worthiness and safety their advice is impartial, and less likely to be tainted because they are not affiliated with any car company or dealership. Neither are they licensed to carry out vehicle repair work or maintenance. After informing them of the steering fault, I asked them to pay particular attention when inspecting the steering rack and steering pump. The result of the test was that neither Steering rack nor Steering pump exhibited any signs of failure, and therefore past the test for road worthiness. So when I asked what could of caused the problem the technician explained that the fault could lie with a slackness in the steering pump belt, and suggested that I had that changed. The technician then went on to say that if the fault happened again after changing the Steering pump belt, I should change the Steering pump. And if that didnt work then change the steering rack. So the domino effect begins! Any responses to this quandry are more then welcome! Hoping to hear from the forum soon! Thank You Kindly, Geepster!

01-23-2008, 03:00 PM	#14
merlinTec Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: England Posts: 2,944 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Hi As your belt is auto adjusted unlikely to be slack in the belt unless you had a tensioner fault and that would not come and go and you would get noises. How old is your belt? Until the fault is there you can only guess. If you can only turn it one way I would go rack if you can’t turn in right or left I would go pump. P.S whatever you go for make sure to flush the lines. Regards, Merlin __________________ UK Chrysler Jeep Master Tec.

01-24-2008, 07:23 AM	#15
geepster Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: UK Posts: 7 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	2002 Jeep Liberty / Cherokee: Steering Failure. MerlinTec, Once again thanks for all your advice as always! - What 'lines' do you refer to when you suggested that they be given a flush? - The belt is 5 years old, as is the vehicle. - Do you have any idea what the UK price would be on a new steering rack pump? Thanks again forum, Hope to hear from you soon!