Drive Train / Driveline Making Noise When driving Always
Q: Rear-end noise, now second time into dealer, leaking this time. They say must replace axle, now three days later they say need bearings -
Hello? don't ring and pinion assemblies come complete with all? We are to pick up tommorow but I said not until the Shop Manager test-drives it first.
What do you folks think?
Will appreciate a response to:
szinser@texas.net
A: Possibility that the hardning came off the axle end and this will "silver" the bearings in the differential unit....
May have been what was making the noise in the first place....bearings gone.....
As long as warrantee is paying the bill, let them start at the front bumper and keep guessing until you are satisfied......
Not my way of working but others seem to enjoy the guessing game..... Ed
Q: I installed a K&N air filter on my 1998 I6 4.0L Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo and I noticed a plastic extension nozzle on the front of the air box that extends into the grill? What is that intended for? Can I remove it? If I remove it, will it improve performance and gas mileage?
A: This nozzle is intended to be hooked up to the air pump/blower. I dont know exactly where, consult your owners manual. It is to push fresh air in through the filter and into the intake manifold. I dont suggest removing it, increasing air flow will increase engine performance.
Electrical / Lighting Systems Malfunction When driving Always
Q: The horn does not work. Last time used, it sounded sick, now no sound comes out. Doesn't seem to have a fuse. No mention about horn, except it's location, in manual. What to do?
Interior Components Other Not applicable Not applicable
Q: Don't know the oem number for the rear panel door trim (hatch) on my 1997 Jeep Grand Cheokee.
It's badly damaged an would like to order a new one.
It's the plastic with carpet trim on the inside of the rear hatch door......
Thanks
A: In my area of the world that would cost about 200.00 from the dealer... I would compare with recyclers as well.... Ed
Drive Train / Driveline Malfunction When driving Always
Q: The overdrive pushbutton switch on the dash does not illuminate when disabling the overdrive on the quadratrack full-time four wheel drive.
It does appear to be working at all.
A: The first place to check is the fuse panel.... the switch may also be faulty..... Ed
Drive Train / Driveline Malfunction When driving When warm
Q: I have rearend noise from about 25 mph and on. There is no vibration at any speed and the noise is a cross between a whirring and grinding sound. Is this common, and what is it?
Drive Train / Driveline Making Noise Happens always Always
Q: Rear end noise, a cross between a grinding and a whirring. Starts at about 25 mph. There is no vibration and it really hasn't gotten much worse. any ideas?
Drive Train / Driveline Making Noise When accelerating Always
Q: A whine from the rear end comes in at 58 mph and goes away at 65 mph, only on a pull, when accelerating. If I coast at 65 mph (let off the gas pedal), the sound goes away. It started when car was new. It has 77,000 miles now.
I took it to the Jeep dealer when the car was 1 month old, and you can guess the run-a-round I got. That's why I still have the noise. They tried to tell me that the noise was normal (yeh right!)
I have a 7 year/100,000 mile extended warranty. Maybe if you could give me some info to help them, I could get this fixed. I would appreciate it. Thanks.
A: The 'drive' side of the ring and pinion gear set has too much play, or clearance between the teeth of the gears....
The whining sound comes from the air bubbles being squashed and squirted out between the teeth, due to the excess backlash or clearance...... Ed
Chassis / Suspension & Steering Making Noise When turning Always
Q: When I go over any bumps I hear a loud clunk sound. I know that the passenger side tie rod end that connects to the wheel assembly (steering arm?) is bad because I can push it and I hear a clanking noise, but as for telling if any of the other parts are bad, I don't know. How do I know how much play they all should have? I can easily rotate the center bar up and down.Do I need to replace them all?
Thank You,
James Vogel
jameyvogel@yahoo.com
A: Hey James I had a very simillar problem with my car every time i would go over bumps or take a turn sharply it would thunk. Its could be that you need a new sway bar link. They aren't bery expensive15.00 for mine. And it should on pretty firm. Hope that helps good luck with it all.
Chassis / Suspension & Steering Other When driving Always
Q: 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4 - normally when driving down a straight road the steering wheel is straight. However when driving with a wind blowing against the vehicle the steering wheel must be turned almost a quarter turn to keep the vehicle from wandering into the next lane. This is very hard on the nerves. Vehicle was checked out and only a minor adjustment to alignment and tire rotation done.This is a very serious problem and can result in an accident.I cannot understand why no problem shows up. I drive full size GMC Vans and have for thirty years and no matter how windy nothing like this Jeep !
A: Better try a new set of tires.... I have a 1994 and have noticed a big change in vehicle attiude in wind drift on crosswind days on the turnpike.
I switched over to Bridgestone tires it is much better...
Chassis / Suspension & Steering Malfunction Happens sometimes When warm
Q: Here is the senario, Driving at highway speeds on a concrete slab highway in Michigan. Loaded with luggage in backend, pulling a boat, tongue weight and load well with in hitch capacity limits. The front end began to shake/vibrate excessively after coming off of a dip at the end of the a bridge slab. The sound heard was kind of a rapid duh duh duh duh duh. It felt as though the front end was comming a part. The vibration continued until vehcle had almost come to a stop. Was able to pull off the road. I thought broken strut, blown shock, or ? I crawled under the vehicle saw no signs of anything broken or out of order. I got back in the vehcle and all was well. We proceeded to drive an additional 1000 miles with out a problem. Then it happened again in a similar fashion on our return trip, with the same symptons and results. What could be causing this violent shaking and is there something that I can do to prevent it in the future. Is this a typical problem for the vehicle? It was a little frightening. The vehicle has 76000 miles and I do take excellent care of my vehicles, regular maintenance and cleaning etc. Please give me some help and guidence.
Scot Hindall
A: My best advice is to take this vehicle to a GOOD alignment shop. They need to check complete suspension, front & rear, including tires, wheels, brake rotors, wheel bearings. I think that you have something SLIGHTLY loose that don't bother during regular driving, but can show up under certain load/highway conditions. DB
Chassis / Suspension & Steering Vibration Happens sometimes When warm
Q: I just sent a question to you about my 95 grand cherokee and a violent vibration/ shakeing of the front end that occured while driving on a concrete slab highway. I was towing a boat. Please resend your response My wife deleted your answer. Thanks,
Scot Hindall
A: replace the "steering dampner". This is basicaly a shock that is mounted up front on the steering linkage to help absorb road vibrations from the wheels. Take a look at it and see if it's leaking any fluids. There's only a bolt at each end holding it on and should only cost about 23-35 dollars to replace yourself
Chassis / Suspension & Steering Making Noise When turning Always
Q: There is a snapping in the steering when I turn the wheels when driving..
Snaps at a certain degree when the wheels are turned.. have tried to hear it when setting still.. but it does not do it..
Sounds like it is coming from the front.. have checked out what I can see..
Not sure what this is.. got any ideas??
A: Have gotten fooled more than once on the old "dry" ball joint thing... most manufacturers don't have grease nipples anymore... sometimes you can slide the boot back a little and using a small diameter needle type nozzle.... get some grease into it..... Ed
Q: Water is draining inside of the jeep, both in front of the passenger seat and in the back of the passenger seat. Could you tell me where the drain plug might be located at?
Nikki Godwin
A: Nikki, there is no drain plug like you are looking for.
The problem is that water is getting in where it should not.....
If you have the patience to watch inside while someone slowly goes over every seam and connection from outside with a low pressure water stream, you may find the leak..... Ed
Q: My Grand Cherokee will not start. I pulled the fuel line off of the filter and tried starting the vehicle. No gas cam out of the line. Then swapped the relays and checked the fuses and everything is fine. I am assuming the fuel pump is shot and need to be replaced. Any ideas?
A: Sounds right to me. Pound on the bottom of the fuel tank while cranking the engine. Sometimes it will start the pump. Would still need to be replaced. Ed
Fuel System Won't Start Not applicable Not applicable
Q: The fuel pump relay and auto shutdown relays trip out after a couple of seconds.
No fuel is pumped to fuel injection system.
I've changed the relays and they still trip. I've checked power to the fuel pump. It gets power until the relays trip. I can't find anything shorted out or bare wires.
Could it be the PCM (powertain control module) or some other item tripping the relay? Any ideas?
A: Yes it could be.... I would maybe unplug the fuel pump connection at the tank first and try it...if it still trips the system... the problem is not in the fuel pump itself... my guess would be a problem fuel pump though.... Ed
Drive Train / Driveline Making Noise Happens always Always
Q: This just started about 2 months ago when I first started hearing a whining noise when I applied my brakes to slow down.
As time passed the sound has became worse. Now I hear it when I excelerate and when I let of the gas. It also creates a small vibration.
I've tried changing the fluid and checking the outer pinion bearing. All seem to be ok.
Limited Slip additive has also been tried, nothing is helping and the noise continues to get louder.
I know that its coming from inside the front differental because you can put it on a lift and hear it coming from there. Hope someone can help.
A: Tough to tell from here, here's a guess... front universal joint.... Ed
Electrical / Lighting Systems Malfunction Happens always Always
Q: The Jeep has a message center in front of shifter. It is always reading "rear Lamp failure" and "coolant level low" but neither
is the case.
I suspect the sensors are bad and intend to replace them however I can't locate the one for the rear lights. Have a service manual, "Haynes" but does not mention the rear light sensor. Any comments/suggestions?
A: it may have the wrong bulbs in the third
brake light. I believe they should be a
921 bulb. there are about (6) bulbs that
look the same, but have different numbers.
each bulb has a different candle power
rating.
Heating / Cooling System Malfunction Not applicable Always
Q: My grand cheokee has the automatic cooling system. The other day when I turned off the car the fan kept running at high speed. I had to disconnect the connector under the dash to stop it . It heats and cools ok but will not adjust the fan speed. It also seems to draw a little more current when plugged back in and running.
Interior Components Other Not applicable Not applicable
Q: I can't find the fuse box for my 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited. I found the one under the hood, but I can't find the other one any where. I need to check a fuse because my power windows stopped working all the sudden.
A: try lookiong on the side of the dash. I beleive there is also one in your center console.
Q: Runs fine until I step hard on the accelerator then the engine acts like it is choking or flooded and going to die. After 15 seconds or so and babying it, it returns to normal until I have to step on it again. Does not matter if cold or warm. Within the last year I have had it tuned up, injectors replaced, fuel pump replaced & new coil. Your suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks, Jeff
A: Hey i have a 95 f150 and it did that. It was my throttle Position Sensor. Might try that.
Ryan
This way to the live technicians