Engine Function Problems

smoler · Dec 5, 2017

I have a 2014 Jeep Patriot with a little under 90k miles on it. I bought this vehicle from a dealership last year (2016).

I have noticed poor acceleration always, and not the most smooth transition between gears. I have since started to have issues with the car idling high and going into limp mode (sporadically). Recently, my car has been giving me a hard time starting, and today, would not start at all. All of the lights and radio come on full boar, nothing dim, but the car will not start.

I am not too far from college graduation and do not have money to start throwing parts at the car (which is what the dealership recommended I do.)
A few things that I have been thinking that may be a root of some of the problems are:

Spark Plugs?
Battery?
I have read that this car has Throttle Sensor Issues, which the dealership said would be $1000 and may or may not be the problem.

I am at a loss since the dealership is just trying to cash in on me, but little do they know I literally do not have the money for that.

Anyone out there have any similar issues? I am going to change the spark plugs anyway, because I have no Idea if they have ever been changed. And I am going to try and jump my car this evening and have O'Reillys test my battery.

Any thoughts or common issues please share!

Thanks!

JeepCares · Dec 5, 2017

smoler said:
I have a 2014 Jeep Patriot with a little under 90k miles on it. I bought this vehicle from a dealership last year (2016).

I have noticed poor acceleration always, and not the most smooth transition between gears. I have since started to have issues with the car idling high and going into limp mode (sporadically). Recently, my car has been giving me a hard time starting, and today, would not start at all. All of the lights and radio come on full boar, nothing dim, but the car will not start.

I am not too far from college graduation and do not have money to start throwing parts at the car (which is what the dealership recommended I do.)
A few things that I have been thinking that may be a root of some of the problems are:

Spark Plugs?
Battery?
I have read that this car has Throttle Sensor Issues, which the dealership said would be $1000 and may or may not be the problem.

I am at a loss since the dealership is just trying to cash in on me, but little do they know I literally do not have the money for that.

Anyone out there have any similar issues? I am going to change the spark plugs anyway, because I have no Idea if they have ever been changed. And I am going to try and jump my car this evening and have O'Reillys test my battery.

Any thoughts or common issues please share!

Thanks!

Hi smoler,

I'm sorry to hear about this--if you have any additional visits to the dealership, please don't hesitate to reach out. I'd be happy to provide some follow up.

Kori
Jeep Social Care Specialist

Ignatz · Dec 5, 2017

I'm sure Kori at JeepCares can help you more than I can, but I'll offer my 2c worth. First a question: When you say it will not start do you mean the starter never engages, or that the starter cranks and the engine never runs under its own power?

As for the plugs, its a cheap and easy project. Patriot plugs should be changed at every 30,000 so you'd be about due, and if they hadn't been changed you'd be way overdue.

Shame on your dealership for not being able to do a reasonable diagnosis! Nobody should ever just start "throwing parts" at a vehicle without a reason and plan. Certainly problems can be misdiagnosed, but an "oh lets try this and see if it works" attitude does not inspire much confidence. I might expect that from a local guy who's unfamiliar with Jeeps, but a franchised dealership has access to factory training and ought to do better. They're looking at you the way a farmer looks at a Holstein.

I think I'd be frank with them and tell them up front you're bringing it to a factory authorized dealer because you can't afford the trial and error method of diagnosis. A generation ago my Dad was complaining that mechanics today were just "new parts men" and not true mechanics.

I remember being in college and living on a tight budget. I learned to fix my cars or go without cuz there was no cash to pay a professional. With so much electronics involved today, it gets harder to do that. Good luck and please report back when you get the problem solved . . . and you will get it solved. :smiley_thumbs_up:

smoler · Dec 6, 2017

The car will start right up when jumped, but when I went to O'Reilly's last night to get the battery tested, they said the batter did not have enough charge to know if it was the battery or the alternator. After they "tested" it, it again would not start.

From what I have read on previous posts in the Jeep forum, the other issue I am having seems to be very similar to those who were told to change the throttle body- but most of those posts also said the problem came back.

I am very conflicted at the moment and giving serious thought to trying to get rid of Jeep and go with a different company. I am wondering if they stopped making the Patriot because of all of these problems it seems to have, with no regard for a recall on something that now looks to be a very common problem.

I will update soon- I have to wait until pay day (which is only once per month :surprise

to do anything at all.

Thanks for the suggestions and encouragement.

Ignatz · Dec 6, 2017

I know what you mean about the stretch between paychecks. I much prefer weekly pay.

Your instant problem may be that the battery and alternator have killed each other. The failure of one has overworked the other so they both die together.

As for why FCA discontinued the Patriot, I thought it was for the opposite reason. They last so long people aren't replacing them!

Patriots continued to grow in popularity (judging by monthly sales figures) right up until the month they were discontinued. Our 2 Patriots have a total of 340,000 miles. Our 2014 has had no problems now at 75,000 miles. My 2008 had the tranny replaced under warranty so that was not a problem. My engine harness had a bad spot 190,000 and the persistent drain did in my battery and alternator, but that was the first major repair. Next major repair was shocks & struts all around which I just did today at 263,000 miles. Some but not all my front-end parts have been replaced but those were minor and reasonable & expected at these miles. I wouldn't put out that kind of money if I didn't think it was good for quite a while longer. I'm hoping for 300,000 but if it goes further I'll be even happier.

I guess what I'm saying is, don't get discouraged because vehicles break down. Everything does after awhile. Welcome to the human experience. The good news is that Patriots didn't cost much new and they don't cost much to maintain, but as I said, nothing runs forever -- but I'm hoping!

Engine Function Problems

smoler

JeepCares

Ignatz

smoler

Ignatz

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