My wife was driving our 2017 jeep patriot it has 65000 miles on it today the red lightning bolt started flashing the check engine light came on and the traction control light came on the car lost power and was limping. my wife turned the car off and back on and was able to drive for a couple of miles and it happened again. Any idea what this could be?
Flashing red lightning bolt and check engine and traction control light on
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Thuntl.u279@gmail.com
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My wife was driving our 2017 jeep patriot it has 65000 miles on it today the red lightning bolt started flashing the check engine light came on and the traction control light came on the car lost power and was limping. my wife turned the car off and back on and was able to drive for a couple of miles and it happened again. Any idea what this could be?
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1,597 Posts
There are numerous threads here about the infamous red lightning bolt dashboard light. One Achilles heel of the otherwise very reliable FCA GEMA engine is a throttle body unit with plastic gears that break. I recently read that this happens to other brands too.
Below are a couple of links for you to research. But, I urge you to not jump to conclusions and replace the throttle body without going through the proper diagnostics. Dealers charge $600+ for this repair. A new unit can be had for less than $250 dollars and it is diy doable with minimal skills.
https://www.google.com/search?q=fla...b-1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjDx47S-ubeAhVJzoMKHQW0BcYQrQIoBDABegQICRAL&biw=1920&bih=925
https://www.google.com/search?q=jee...b-1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwii-sO3_ebeAhXhj4MKHbfHClYQrQIoBDAQegQIABAL&biw=1920&bih=925
This is something that I would push a good dealer to accommodate you with a "good will" repair. This is a very well known problem with the FCA GEMA engine.
Below are a couple of links for you to research. But, I urge you to not jump to conclusions and replace the throttle body without going through the proper diagnostics. Dealers charge $600+ for this repair. A new unit can be had for less than $250 dollars and it is diy doable with minimal skills.
https://www.google.com/search?q=fla...b-1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjDx47S-ubeAhVJzoMKHQW0BcYQrQIoBDABegQICRAL&biw=1920&bih=925
https://www.google.com/search?q=jee...b-1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwii-sO3_ebeAhXhj4MKHbfHClYQrQIoBDAQegQIABAL&biw=1920&bih=925
This is something that I would push a good dealer to accommodate you with a "good will" repair. This is a very well known problem with the FCA GEMA engine.
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if you ever have a CEL on, checking the codes is step #1, I bought a code scanner nearly 20 years ago, and have used the same one since, they are not expensive, last a long time, and are worth the investment to figure out what's going on with your car:
https://amzn.to/2Sagrta
https://amzn.to/2Sagrta
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Just changed out my throttle body on my 2015 Patriot a few weeks ago, only has 51,000km on it.
I went through the steps of cleaning out the throttle plate and checking the wiring, but to no avail.
The throttle body cost about $300 Canadian. Only took 30 min to replace, pretty easy to do.
I went through the steps of cleaning out the throttle plate and checking the wiring, but to no avail.
The throttle body cost about $300 Canadian. Only took 30 min to replace, pretty easy to do.
I just replaced mine, I was just getting the lightening bolt coming on here and there. Then one day going through a light it went into limp mode and actually kicked the CEL.
So I replaced my Throttle body. Been driving a few days now. Suddenly out of nowhere the jeep went into limp mode again this time with the lightening bolt flashing. Messed with the harness, let it sit. Now it drives again no issues.
BTW my throttle body was $85 from amazon and it took like less then 1 hour to replace.
So I replaced my Throttle body. Been driving a few days now. Suddenly out of nowhere the jeep went into limp mode again this time with the lightening bolt flashing. Messed with the harness, let it sit. Now it drives again no issues.
BTW my throttle body was $85 from amazon and it took like less then 1 hour to replace.
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Did you replace it from the top or underneath the vehicle? It looks pretty cramped in there.
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This exact thing is happening to my 2014 Jeep Patriot 62000 miles...any help here would be amazing! I have very little to no money for repairs and a job interview two days from now.
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Vacuum leak. I had the same problem with my 2014
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This same exact thing just happened to me. The check engine light came on when I started my car but then while driving my daughter to school the lightning bolt started flashing and traction control came on. An you tell me what it was with your wife’s car?
Did you figure out the problem my compass is doing the same thing
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It is the throttle body also for a quick fix turn off vehicle then turn the key to on while in the on position press down and release the gas pedal slowly and it will remove the lights except the check engine but u can drive it after that. That's what I did to my jeep compass after a super cold night jeep was fine then next morning go out start it to warm up and bam all those lights came on did some quick research and found a quick fix to get my kids to school. Then replaced the throttle body and the throttle control sensor.
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I know what is causing the red lightning bolt / traction control light being on...... After putting in a new throttle body and PCV valve and doing the relearn.....noticed a stronger running jeep . I purchased a used 2007 Wrangler x and the problem was still happening after the parts and relearn My mechanic had a better Snap On scanner and determined it was a vacuum leak ... after about an hour we found the the vacuum leak was the EGR tube gasket behind the upper intake...... Seriously it's a flawed design how they run it over the top of the intake.....$69.00 part and no more dash lights popping up 🙋
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Mine did this tonight,
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Lightning bolt symbol is electronic throttle control. Cost $260 at auto parts store. 1 hour to replace. Remove battery, upper radiator hose, air intake sensor, air intake hose, wiring harness clip on air intake hose, 4 bolts for throttle control 1 bolt for mount, disconnect electric connector on throttle body and clean rubber seal. Replace part. Start engine,
slowly accelerate from idle to 2000 rpm twice for electronic reset. Check engine light will go off by itself after the engine has been started a few times.
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slowly accelerate from idle to 2000 rpm twice for electronic reset. Check engine light will go off by itself after the engine has been started a few times.
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So I had the red lightning bolt flashing and traction control light come on. Changed out the Throttle body control sensor but still doing the same thing!!!! Any ideas on what this could be I made sure the wiring harness was on tight so I know it’s all on there good it was very easy to change. Also my battery light is coming on and the battery is dieing by sitting over night and is still in limp and won’t going over 20mph! Any ideas lmk! Only other thing I could find is possibly the foot peddle sensor
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Replacement throttle bodies can be bad out of the box, it does happen.
A fault in the map sensor circuit can also cause the ETC light.
The battery light can be the battery, alternator, cabling, or possibly even the PCM.
Low battery voltage can be the cause of other problems.
If you haven't already, I'd suggest getting the codes pulled and post them, it might help narrow things down.
A fault in the map sensor circuit can also cause the ETC light.
The battery light can be the battery, alternator, cabling, or possibly even the PCM.
Low battery voltage can be the cause of other problems.
If you haven't already, I'd suggest getting the codes pulled and post them, it might help narrow things down.
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