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Running on Fumes - ETC Acts Up

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Brett

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
This past Sunday, we were driving back to Pittsburgh from Cincinnati. I decided to really push the Patriot's range. I drove for another 40 miles after the low fuel level light illuminated. As soon as I pulled off the highway and into the gas station, the dashboard indicator for the Electronic Throttle Control turned on.

I filled the fuel tank up and started the Jeep. The light did not turn back on.

I think I ran the tank so low that the electronic throttle control reported that there was a malfunction. Has anyone else experienced this?

Oh yes, I don't recommend to anyone trying this on purpose. You tend to suck any accumulated crud out of the tank when you do this. Also, I'm not sure if there's a priming proceedure for the fuel pump and/or if there is a concern for damaging the pump by running it dry.
 
#2 ·
Similar issue

I drove from Portland, Oregon to Mt. Shasta, California (~350 miles at 60-65 mph). Only stopping for refueling, I drove the ~350 miles before deciding to stop at a rest stop and take a break. Once I pulled into the parking spot and shifted the CVT into Park, the ETC warning light came on along with an audible beep. I shut off the engine, waited 5-10 minutes, turned the engine back on, and haven't noticed the issue happen again (this was 2 days ago). Also, when I stopped, I had 1/4 of a tank of gas left, so I definitely was not anywhere near empty.

It would seem as though others seem to have this problem, too. Is this a legitimate problem that we should be concerned with? I'm reading some disturbing posts related to ETC and Jeeps.

--myrion

BTW: This is a 2007 Jeep Patriot Sport (4x4), Off-Road package, manufactured after May, 2007.
 
#3 ·
You addressed a concern of mine. I haven't had my Pat too long. I was lower than 3/4, and had to do an abrupt stop. At that time, the throttle control "parenthetical lighteningbolt" came on, as well as some stability control light. When I started to go again, there was a very loud thump from someplace, and the RPMs went to 2500 before the car would move. Then it was like a neutral drop. I shut it off long enough to read the manual. Nothing about the what the throttle light means. Anyway, it reset and drove fine. Still 25 MPG.
 
#4 ·
I've noticed all three of you have a 2007, I have a 2008 and ran it to where I have a 1/4 of a tank and to this date I haven't noticed this problem with mine. It's something to take note of and be aware of if it does happen. So I'm wondering if it's just the 2007 or if anyone with a 2008 has noticed this. I have almost 5000 miles on mine.
 
#5 ·
i have 10,000 miles on my 07 and ran it to when the light came on and never had any issues with this happening...
 
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#6 ·
strange

It's such a strange issue. As I mentioned in a previous post, it happened to me while driving a long distance.

I would also like to add that it happened again while I was driving home from Mt. Shasta. After driving ~200 miles, I stopped to get a bite to eat. Once I shifted into Park, the ETC warning light came on with the audible beep. I shut off the engine, got a snack, turned the engine back on, and everything seemed fine.

What on earth is going on here?! lol
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
Dealer told me that no trouble codes were stored in the computer and that they were taking no action at this time.

The indicator light has not blinked since the one time.

At least this has gone on record -- I'm going to be sure to keep an eye out for it.
 
#8 ·
Just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents worth of experience with this..

I was recently driving home to Vegas from Lake Havasu. We were 3/4 of the way home, had over 1/2 tank of gas, and I was cruising at 70 in cruise control the entire trip. All of a sudden, total engine power loss, or what seemed to be one...along with the ETC Light. Everything electrical was still on, and the engine was still running, but when I pressed on the gas, the engine just reved slightly and made no motion to speed up at all. We coasted to the side, where I turned off the Jeep, and turned it right back on again.

It ran fine for the rest of the trip. I haven't had any issues since...

I'm thinking it may have had something to do with being in CC for so long?

Not really sure here, but if anyone else has any comments or follow-up on this, please respond...

BTW, I have a 2008 4x4 Pat Sport...
 
#9 ·
joshlafollette said:
Just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents worth of experience with this..

I was recently driving home to Vegas from Lake Havasu. We were 3/4 of the way home, had over 1/2 tank of gas, and I was cruising at 70 in cruise control the entire trip. All of a sudden, total engine power loss, or what seemed to be one...along with the ETC Light. Everything electrical was still on, and the engine was still running, but when I pressed on the gas, the engine just reved slightly and made no motion to speed up at all. We coasted to the side, where I turned off the Jeep, and turned it right back on again.

It ran fine for the rest of the trip. I haven't had any issues since...

I'm thinking it may have had something to do with being in CC for so long?

Not really sure here, but if anyone else has any comments or follow-up on this, please respond...

BTW, I have a 2008 4x4 Pat Sport...
Click to expand...

Hmmm. Which transmission and which 4X4 package?
 
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#10 ·
The next time anyone has anything like this happen, try reaching down and pushing the ESP button to turn the esp partially off.

With the ESP all the way on, the throttle command can be taken over by the ESP system if it thinks there is abnormal wheel slippage or an imminent roll condition developing.

If you turn the ESP partially off and the problem goes away, it would indicate something in the electronics got confused.

Turning the ESP all the way off is also possible but the car needs to be sitting still, and you lose all traction control, roll mitigatation, and skid control., so it's not advised except as a diagnostic test.

Turning the engine off, and back on, apparantly resets everything.

We just need more info as to whether this fairly rare condition is somehow tied to the ESP sensors.
 
#11 ·
I should also mention that if you stop very quickly, the ESP and throttle control system can think you have had an accident and will also set brakes and jam throttle to handle what it thinks are emergency condtions.

Turning the engine off and restarting should reset everything.
 
#13 ·
ETC issue (Electronic Throttle Control)

I'm bringing this thread back to the top to see if there is any more information on this issue. I had a similar issue yesterday as 'joshlafollette' had earlier.

The wife, kid, and I were traveling back home from NE Ohio. We had just crossed the Mackinaw Bridge and were coming down to the toll booths. As I pulled to a stop at the booth the chime went off and the engine began running rough. The ETC light was flashing and the EPS partial off light was on. No engine light, though. I thought at first the light might have something to do with the alternator but I realize now that's not the case. I pushed EPS button and nothing changed. We had over a half tank of gas. With a 16 month old you fuel up every time you stop since if they fall asleep in the car seat you keep the hammer down and squeeze the bladder until they wake up ... just a word of advise.:D

Anyway, I nursed it to a parking lot while the quick thinking wife grabbed the owners manual to look up the lights and that's when I realized it wasn't the alternator. I shut off the engine and less than 10 seconds later restarted it. All the lights were off and it ran fine after that ... or so it seem to run fine. Didn't put enough miles on it to determine if the MPG is the same but it has all its power and never faulted again. The only thing I did different across the UP was to not use the cruise control. When the ETC fault occurred the cruise control was on but not engaged. Since getting home was a bit important I didn't want to take a chance in case somehow they confused each other.

Anyone have any new information? Tech guys who know anything about this? It's a bit disconcerting that the wife and kid could be driving along and suddenly lose power for such a minor issue. The Patriot is going to the dealer for an oil change and get the passenger door lock fixed this Wednesday and I'll have them poll the computer. I suspect they won't be able to find any data on the event given its short duration and subsequent "easy fix".:(
 
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#14 ·
I've haven't experienced this with the patriot, but when I was driving my loaner car while waiting on my tow package, something similar happened. I was in a liberty with hardly any miles on it. I had to do some hard braking because of Houston traffic and a light on the dash lit up, looked like a slippery road sign, then the thing shut off. Turned it back on and it worked just fine, no owners manual with it, and haven't thought about it sense, so I didn't bother to look it up. May be related.
 
#15 · (Edited)
A similar thing happened to be a couple days ago, except it wasn't the ETC light. I was parked at a grocery store, I started the Jeep and all was fine. I pressed the brake so I can put it in reverse and back out of my spot, when I did this I heard a single chime, and noticed the ESP/BAS, ABS, the ESP Skid Icon and the Parking Brake lights were on. I continued to reverse, put it into drive and the lights still remained on. I pressed the ESP button, nothing changed. I lifted the parking brake and released it, again nothing changed. I didn't lose any power what so ever and the Jeep responded to the slighted tap on the gas pedal. Within a minute all the lights went of and that was it. Drove fine ever since.
I thought that maybe teh ABS sensor was covered in snow or something...? This morning on my way to work my wife and I noticed a slight "burning brake" smell..... anyone else noticed this? It was an easy drive, mainly on the highway with no hard braking.
 
#16 ·
kaushen79 said:
I thought that maybe teh ABS sensor was covered in snow or something...? This morning on my way to work my wife and I noticed a slight "burning brake" smell..... anyone else noticed this? It was an easy drive, mainly on the highway with no hard braking.
Click to expand...
The burning brake smell sounds like a dragging brake. Might want to have it checked.
 
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#17 · (Edited)
The last time I ran out of fuel, I had a throttle light flash. Once gas was added I cycled the key a few times so the fuel pump would prime the lines. It started right up and the light has not come back in 500 miles of driving! One thing in common is that if there is not enough fuel to maintain engine speed as directed by the pedal or idle rpm, the computer will interpret the throttle bodies reacting into a diagnostic.
hvac59
 
#18 ·
Blunt_weapon said:
I've haven't experienced this with the patriot, but when I was driving my loaner car while waiting on my tow package, something similar happened. I was in a liberty with hardly any miles on it. I had to do some hard braking because of Houston traffic and a light on the dash lit up, looked like a slippery road sign, then the thing shut off. Turned it back on and it worked just fine, no owners manual with it, and haven't thought about it sense, so I didn't bother to look it up. May be related.
Click to expand...
The new Liberty's have similar control systems as the Patriot in terms of electronic throttle control and ESP. You must have had the same thing happen with the loaner Liberty. The sign you saw is the ESP off light that tells you that electronic throttle control has been turned off. This is the ESP partial off mode. Full off takes away the braking control. Anyway, this is indicating an interesting but unprovable pattern at this point. Why the heck would a bit of hard braking set off an accident protection system?
 
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#19 ·
3 things come to mind.

1. A brake is not releasing far enough. This would cause the ESP light to light as you are potentially dragging a brake. If you are smelling a burnt brake smell then it is likely that the brake is dragging. A loud pop or clunk noise when one resumes the journey could easily indicate that the brake has popped loose. Of course some ABS systems will make a noise when they self test....

2. Over heating of the braking system? Is there a thermal sensor?

3. A loose or corroded connection?

4. A software bug?

I have run my Compass way down, but have never had the ESP light go on. I also use the cruse as much as possible as it saves fuel on the CVT equipped cars. I have not had any issue with this. It might be related to the programming of the engine/tranny on the 07s? There is a programming update available for the 07s...
 
#20 ·
Bringing this thread back up because this is the same thing that just happened to me TODAY!

Patriot Sport (Package "D") 5spd-Manual 2.4L
Base Model (no power anything)
3/4 tank of gas.

I barely had my Patriot for 3 weeks and something weird and alarming happened.

I stopped for a quick bite to eat. When I returned to my Patriot, and started her up, it all seemed fine. When I tried to apply a little throttle in 1st gear to go, the ETC light started flashing and the engine just died. It had a VERY rough idle as well.

I then tried to restart it, but it kept revving and no engine turn over (sort of like a dead or low battery or out of fuel symptom).

I then removed the ignition key, waited about 30 seconds while cussing out a storm, then re-insterted the key and it started right up. I was then able to drive it with No problems, but it made me wary. If I got stuck at an intersection and this happened, i'd be serisouly PISSED!

I arrived at work. A few hours later, when I had to leave, it did it again! I had to remove the key, wait for a few seconds, then it would be fine.

Anyone else have this problem? Any cures
 
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