Hoping someone might be able to help me solve this mystery, my mechanic and I are struggling to track down the issue. I've seen a lot of similar problems posted but can't find anything with the same circumstances as me or a solution I haven't tried, please link if I've missed something!
Basically, I've been experiencing random stalls and inability to start that I suspect are being caused by a sudden loss of power to the ECU. This has been an on and off issue for a few months. It will happen once or a couple days back-to-back, then I'll have no issues for weeks. Yesterday it stalled 5 or 6 times while idling; first couple were in park outside my house while I was getting ready to leave, then another 3 or 4 times when I was in a drive-thru a few mins from my house. Prior to that my last issue was over 2 weeks ago (usually drive every 1-3 days)
Stalls: This happens mostly while idling both in park and drive, but it has happened once while I was driving slowly (around 30km/h). Basically out of nowhere the engine will shut off and I'll get a chime (typical lights come on as when the engine is off while the key is in the run position). I can usually restart the engine right away (after shifting into neutral of course), but sometimes I will have starting issues as I detail below. If I restart right away, sometimes the ESP and traction control warning lights come on. First time this happened it was driving in limp mode. Its happened once or twice since then and I just do a full power cycle (remove the key, open the door, wait a few seconds, the restart the engine) and it drives normally with no warning lights.
Starting Issues: Again, this usually is pretty random, but I have generally had it happen after my pat has sat overnight or for a day or two. I'll turn the key and all the accessories work, dash lights come on, etc. but the starter wont crank. Doesn't even try to turn over. I'll just try a few times and have gotten it to work with eventually every time with some persistence. I once was able to get it to work by literally shaking the jeep side to side by shifting in my seat.
I suspect a power supply issue somewhere: my battery is barely 3 months old so I know it isn't that. At first I thought the starter might be on its way out, but it doesn't struggle to start at all when it does work. That, and once the stalls started happening I ruled out an issue with the starter. I have cleaned up all of the easily accessible ground connections but it hasn't solved the issue (not that any of them were corroded, but I pulled them off and cleaned up the metal anyway).
I am convinced the ECU is losing power somehow as when the stall or starting issue happens it clears any engine codes (I have two permanent codes that keep the check engine lights on, details below, but they are cleared after restarting the engine). That, and after a stall the traction control and ESP lights come on. When this happens if I fully power off (that is, remove the key and open the door) the warning lights go off and it starts up just like normal.
Details:
2008 Patriot Limited
2.4L engine
CVT Transmission
254,000km
Other Notes:
Known Issues:
Please Help! I've been fortunate that I've never stalled in traffic, but I don't want to leave this to chance since it could cause an accident if I stall in traffic or on the highway. Has anyone had this to them? Anyone familiar with power issues related to the ECU? Any ideas on what I should try? Thanks in advance!
Basically, I've been experiencing random stalls and inability to start that I suspect are being caused by a sudden loss of power to the ECU. This has been an on and off issue for a few months. It will happen once or a couple days back-to-back, then I'll have no issues for weeks. Yesterday it stalled 5 or 6 times while idling; first couple were in park outside my house while I was getting ready to leave, then another 3 or 4 times when I was in a drive-thru a few mins from my house. Prior to that my last issue was over 2 weeks ago (usually drive every 1-3 days)
Stalls: This happens mostly while idling both in park and drive, but it has happened once while I was driving slowly (around 30km/h). Basically out of nowhere the engine will shut off and I'll get a chime (typical lights come on as when the engine is off while the key is in the run position). I can usually restart the engine right away (after shifting into neutral of course), but sometimes I will have starting issues as I detail below. If I restart right away, sometimes the ESP and traction control warning lights come on. First time this happened it was driving in limp mode. Its happened once or twice since then and I just do a full power cycle (remove the key, open the door, wait a few seconds, the restart the engine) and it drives normally with no warning lights.
Starting Issues: Again, this usually is pretty random, but I have generally had it happen after my pat has sat overnight or for a day or two. I'll turn the key and all the accessories work, dash lights come on, etc. but the starter wont crank. Doesn't even try to turn over. I'll just try a few times and have gotten it to work with eventually every time with some persistence. I once was able to get it to work by literally shaking the jeep side to side by shifting in my seat.
I suspect a power supply issue somewhere: my battery is barely 3 months old so I know it isn't that. At first I thought the starter might be on its way out, but it doesn't struggle to start at all when it does work. That, and once the stalls started happening I ruled out an issue with the starter. I have cleaned up all of the easily accessible ground connections but it hasn't solved the issue (not that any of them were corroded, but I pulled them off and cleaned up the metal anyway).
I am convinced the ECU is losing power somehow as when the stall or starting issue happens it clears any engine codes (I have two permanent codes that keep the check engine lights on, details below, but they are cleared after restarting the engine). That, and after a stall the traction control and ESP lights come on. When this happens if I fully power off (that is, remove the key and open the door) the warning lights go off and it starts up just like normal.
Details:
2008 Patriot Limited
2.4L engine
CVT Transmission
254,000km
Other Notes:
- The first time the jeep went into limp mode I had 4 codes, P0700, U0100, and B2AAA twice, but haven't gotten any codes since
- I am up to date on all my regular maintenance and have always taken good care of this
- I'm the second owner and have had it for the past 90,000km (~5 years)
- I just replaced the spark plugs, air filter, and coolant (these issues were already happening when I did)
- I generally don't tow anything, although I had a small trailer I took cross-country last summer. I have the tow kit though and it ran fine the whole way.
- I occasionally get the sputtering acceleration issue other members have posted about, but its never been a major issue so I've just lived with it.
Known Issues:
- Have had a code for the cat for quite some time (something along of the lines of running below efficiency threshold), my mechanic says maniverter is on its way out but since it drives fine I haven't bothered to do anything with it. That, and it would cost much more than the jeep is worth to fix it.
- Have a code for fan 1 relay. The relay is corroded so its not getting power. It's on my list to fix, but its not that warm and the temps are always normal so its not a priority atm.
Please Help! I've been fortunate that I've never stalled in traffic, but I don't want to leave this to chance since it could cause an accident if I stall in traffic or on the highway. Has anyone had this to them? Anyone familiar with power issues related to the ECU? Any ideas on what I should try? Thanks in advance!
