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Cableguy108

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I bought my Patriot in June of '07. In October the Electronic Throttle Body light came on, and shut my Jeep down completely. I kept it off for 10 mins., and restarted it, and it drove fine, but with the check engine light on. I took it to get serviced, and they replaced it.

The last week in June, while turning left through a main intersection, the same problem occured, shutting me down completely, and crept through the intersection at 2 mph. Got it serviced, they replaced the ETB again.

One week later, while driving 75 mph on an expressway, my Jeep shut down AGAIN, leaving me stranded on the left shoulder for 10 mins. Got it serviced, and called the Jeep corporate. They replaced the ETB AGAIN. 3rd TIME.

One week later, (yesterday), while driving through yet another busy intersection, what does my Jeep do? ETB gave out AGAIN, leaving me stranded in an intersection for 10 mins. Took it to my servicing Jeep dealer, and now they have an engineer from corporate coming out to look at my Jeep.

I don't even know what I am looking for. Why me, I guess? Any one have any ideas as to what the heck is wrong with my Jeep? Please, any suggestions are very welcome. Thank you for reading.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
I know about the Lemon Law, but not enough to fully understand how to go about the process? Any ideas or a starting point?
 
Wow ... something, somewhere is killing the throttle body ... either that or the service guys are blaming another problem on the ETB rather than looking more deeply into the overlaping systems.

Good luck and start pushing the buttons on the service department, etc.
 
I had the same problem in my avenger and after the 3rd time it happened they found that it had actually been a faulty wiring harness the whole time. They replaced it and it never gave me another problem again.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
I would love to check the papers on my Jeep, but unfortunately, it's at the dealer for the 4th time. :( I hope the engineers figure something out, I really want it back. My "courtesy car" is a Daewoo Leganza. How sweet is that?
 
I would also suggest finding another dealership...
 
I had the same problem in my avenger and after the 3rd time it happened they found that it had actually been a faulty wiring harness the whole time. They replaced it and it never gave me another problem again.
It may not be a faulty harness, but...

1 bad ETB, ok it happens occasionally...
2 bad ETB, still could happen once a decade...
3 bad ETB, no way this happens once a century...
4 bad ETB, impossible.

There is definitely something else that is the cause. The ETB is just the symptom.
 
It has to be something else. They are treating the symptom rather than the cause.
 
ETB

My guess would be faulty wiring. Probably built last shift on Friday or first shift on Monday. One bad ground and forget it. Does it rain the day before you have this problem. Any addon's? These damn cars are pain. All you need an engine, tranny, body, and a milk carton. Too much computerization now days. Next time, if you get your baby back, get something in writing that states they'll replace the vehicle if this happens again.

Have they tried the computer yet?

Later
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
What's funny about the whole situation, is this last time I brought it in, the service manager, and 4 other mechanics that worked on my Pat, were standing there saying "I have no idea what is wrong with that thing." And the other comment was "We should've changed out the wiring harness.":confused:

I should also comment, that originally in October, I also had the front right speaker blow, and then a couple of months later, the left one went.

I told Jeep corporate, dealership manager, and the service manager that I "...purchased a Jeep for their reliability, and so far, this one hasn't shown me anything. Not to mention, it's pretty sad that every time I drive it, I am just waiting for it to break down."

They also said that they "fixed" the problem, and I replied that they didn' "fix" it because I'm back with the same problem. And they don't know there's a problem until I bring it in, or when it shuts down and I get into an accident with my daughter and wife in the car.

I called today, (7/28), and they said that they just brought it in to the shop today and are going to see what codes are coming up. Then they will call the engineer from corporate to come down. I will keep you all posted.

Keep the replies coming, I need ammo. Thank you for all your input.
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
Also, my Daewoo Leganza gets 17 mpg. Considering when they test drove my Jeep, after the 3rd time this happened, left me with a 1/8 tank of gas, down from 1/2 a tank. And they expect me to fill the tank up? I don't even know what I'm mad at anymore.
 
Yep, sounds just like the wiring harness issue I had with my Avenger alright. Lemon Law that b$%#h and get all of your money back. You don't have to put up with it.
 
Unfortunately I have had experience with the lemon law. Last year I had a problem with a Dodge Durango being a lemon. That car had every electrical problem you could imagine as well as a steering problem. But anyways Chrysler bought it back under the lemon law. You really need to get on the dealer about it and get them to pursue the lemon law for you. You could also call Chrysler yourself and start the process and they will contact the dealer and go through everything to see if it qualifies. Once its determined it is a lemon they will send your case to someone else in Chrysler (can’t remember which department) and they will fill contact you and fill out all the necessary paperwork for you. They then send your case over to some 3rd party group who facilitates all the buy backs. The problem i had with my Durango was I only had it for 5 months, but put 17,000 miles on it. I’m not sure if this is the case for everyone, but I had to pay a per mileage charge for the vehicle as well!! I was not happy. But it was better than putting up with a lemon for the next 5 years. Also, if you have put tires or accessories on the vehicle, you will get that money back as well, as long as you have your receipts. Everything I bought for the Durango and one out of pocket repair for brakes and rotors at 14k miles!! I got all that back. If you have any other questions I can look through my files and try and help you out more. Good luck!!
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
I bought my Jeep at the end of May 2007. I have 30,000 miles on it, due to the fact that I drive 45 miles to work 5 days a week. Not to mention all of your normal driving duties on the weekends. According to http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/consumers/lemonlaw.html it says "in at least 4 attempts for the same symptom." This is the 4th time it has been in, so I guess if it happens one more time, then I can pursue it. I would think that Jeep would man up and say "hey, your jeep is f***ed up, here is a brand new 2009 Pat. Sorry for almost killing you 3 times."
 
Discussion starter · #20 ·
I talked to the dealership, and they said they found some "corrosion on the wiring harness." Weird, b/c I said to replace that the 2nd time this happened. I asked them if an engineer came down, and they said that they couldn't get one down in a timely manner, but spoke to them over the phone. I should have it back Monday or Tuesday. They said "hopefully this fixes the problem." I hope so.
 
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