Help needed with unidentified engine problem

[Jacqui01]

Hi, I have a 2014 JK that at about 80,000km started having a problem when changing up through the gears. It’s hard to describe but it does it going from 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th at about 2500RPM it feels like something is spinning and then it grabs and lurches forward and makes a sound almost like a cough. I’ve had it to the dealer 5 times and they just keep saying it doesn’t do it when they drive it. The 4th time I took it back, I actually took a mechanic for a drive and showed him what I meant and he drove it and it did it for him. When we went back to the dealer he told them it’s a problem in the engine and they booked it in to have another look. When I went to pick it up they said the same mechanic drove it twice and it didn’t do it and as far as they and Jeep are concerned, if they can’t find a problem, there’s nothing they are obliged to do. They asked me to keep a diary, which I’ve done, documenting everytime it does it and I’ve booked it in again for them to look at next week. It does it every time I drive it and does it more so when it’s warm.

Has as anyone ever experienced anything like this, and might know what it is so I can point the dealer in the right direction. Thanks

[Dru]

J

Getting persistent issues sorted at Jeep is a trial. For a 2014, are you trying to get this sorted on Warranty or is that closed? IS it an auto or a manual?

Personally I don't like Jeep dealers (well trained in Fiats) playing with my Jeep. I want a 4WD specialist doing the work. Sometimes there is no choice - warranty, recalls or work that logically Jeep need to do. FCA implemented a much better policy and process for complaints a little while back after the "destroy my jeep" thing. That doesn't make it perfect by a long shot but better. Check out the contacts for FCA (Fiat-Chrysler-Australia - who are Jeep) and contact them direct with details, especially of the dealer not resolving and sending you home with "didn't find it".

I would also look to a friendly mechanic who you trust to at least check it out and give thoughts on:
a) hopefully EXACTLY what the issue is
b) if not, how to brief the dealer on what you want done

Three Jeep mechanics with great reputations in the Club are:
x Sam who is Hills 4x4 - quite happy to recommend Sam personally
x Eddie, can't remember the name of his business but you'll find it here somewhere
x Wooders - something of a Classic specialist

There is Elio as well, dont know if he can go outside of work, but I think he is in the NRMA.

Happy hunting.

Dru'n'Kerry

[Jacqui01]

I’m hoping to get it fixed under warranty as it started at about 80,000kms so was still under warranty. It has about 120,000 on it now so is out of warranty. I live in the southern highlands so was going to go to Berrima Diesel and see if they can tell me what the problem is. It’s just so frustrating after I proved it had a problem but they keep saying sorry we can’t find anything wrong. Surely they have a world wide network they can email and someone must have come across this before. Feel like I’m getting the run around from them. Thankyou for your reply

[Elio S]

Hi J.
It sounds to me it might be more of a transmission issue. I'm assuming it's an automatic. These intermittent problems are often the hardest to diagnose. Are you an NRMA member? If so, ring up roadside so you can get someone out who should be able to do a code read on it. It might not bring anything up, but if it's doing it at the time, hopefully the patrolman can steer you in the right direction as to what he thinks it may actually be

[Jacqui01]

Hi, thanks for the reply. The car is a manual. At about the same time as this started, the engine malfunction light started coming on. The code came up with an issue with the turbo but dealer said nothing wrong. I left it with them again today but I’m not holding my breath

[Daz7]

I live in the southern highlands so was going to go to Berrima Diesel and see if they can tell me what the problem is.

IMHO that's your answer, even if you need to pay Berrima Diesel for the diagnostic and then fight Jeep Aus. for the warranty claim and have Berrima do the work. At worse, you then have something concrete to go back to the dealership with.

Fingers crossed the dealership finds the issue for you today.