Home and Auto Car Guys - Advice Requested - Page 5

rageeumr · 09-30-2011, 10:03 AM

So I bought an 08 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited last night from Carmax. I'm no car guy (will become apparent as this OP progresses) but it seemed to run strong and had no issues during the test drive.

As I'm driving the thing home, it beeps at me and the dash lights up like a Christmas tree. Check engine light comes on along with brake, ABS, ESP BAS and seat belt. Speedo drops to zero and after a little while I notice the odometer isn't running, either. This continues until I get home.

I had to run some errands so I (perhaps foolishly) took it back out. This time, it would sporadically do what I mentioned above and then some of the lights would go off and the traction control light would come on. At that point, the speedo and odometer would start working again.

This morning on my way to work, nothing but the check engine light. Then, on my way to take it back to Carmax to get it looked at, no lights whatsoever. At no point was the mechanical performance of the car affected at all.

They ran a quick diagnostic at Carmax and said it was giving them codes related to the computer, so they would have to send it to a local dealer to work on. The service tech mentioned in passing that he thought one of the codes was related to the PCM. They set me up with a loaner and sent me on my way. All the work is covered under their 30-day warranty, so that's not really a concern of mine.

So if you made it this far, here's my conundrum. I can return the vehicle for a full refund for the next 5 days. (They also said they would "stop the clock" while the Jeep is being worked on). I'm obviously considering doing just that, but I really don't know how big of a problem this is. Is this an odd isolated incident, or does it point to bigger underlying electrical issues? I don't know if I should be happy that I'm getting an expensive part replaced during my 30 day window or if I should cut ties and run.

Setsuna · 09-30-2011, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vailpass

1. Not anywhere near the same vehicle
2. A japanese pick up truck?

True but hey I have never had problems with it and still drives the same when it was bought, in 2005. But yeah the extended cab and v6 is pretty expensive. I hope you make the right decision either way dude.

ClevelandBronco · 09-30-2011, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rageeumr

...So if you made it this far, here's my conundrum. I can return the vehicle for a full refund for the next 5 days. (They also said they would "stop the clock" while the Jeep is being worked on). I'm obviously considering doing just that, but I really don't know how big of a problem this is. Is this an odd isolated incident, or does it point to bigger underlying electrical issues? I don't know if I should be happy that I'm getting an expensive part replaced during my 30 day window or if I should cut ties and run.

Don't believe anything they say. Get it in writing or don't bitch later when they pull out the contract and show you the only terms that matter.

HonestChieffan · 09-30-2011, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vailpass

I've owned Jeep. Your troubles are just beginning. Get out now if you can.
Talk to some experienced Jeep guys here (many of them are Jeep mechanics) and let them know exactly what you said in this post:

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/

OR

http://www.wranglerforum.com/

Second that. You have been given a great gift. Get out. Eject Eject....Jeep means doom till you sell it

Brock · 09-30-2011, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HonestChieffan

Second that. You have been given a great gift. Get out. Eject Eject....Jeep means doom till you sell it

You're an idiot. Jeeps are fine vehicles.

HonestChieffan · 09-30-2011, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

You're an idiot. Jeeps are fine vehicles.

Im an experienced idiot who had one of the pieces of shit. Fine is not a word that can be used with Jeep. Unless you see owning one as a fine upon your life.

Brock · 09-30-2011, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HonestChieffan

Im an experienced idiot who had one of the pieces of shit. Fine is not a word that can be used with Jeep. Unless you see owning one as a fine upon your life.

What do you drive?

HonestChieffan · 09-30-2011, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

What do you drive?

Would that have any bearing (no pun intended) on my terribly negative experience with a Jeep that I owned and suffered under for 4 years?

Would a complete list of cars and trucks I have owned have any relation to the POS Jeep I had?

**BossChief** · 09-30-2011, 11:11 PM

I am a Nissan guy. Had a few Maximas and never had a problem.

I bought a new Frontier crew cab 4x4 and tow package at the tent sale on june 30th for 6500 off sticker.

Brought the truck down to 22.5. (after 120,000 bumper to bumper warranty, tax title license and everything was still wayy under sticker)

They have some damn good sales going on right now, Id check em out and at least test drive one.

No way would I keep that Jeep...somebody got rid of it for a reason.

Demonpenz · 09-30-2011, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

I am a Nissan guy. Had a few Maximas and never had a problem.

I bought a new Frontier crew cab 4x4 and tow package at the tent sale on june 30th for 6500 off sticker.

Brought the truck down to 22.5. (after 120,000 bumper to bumper warranty, tax title license and everything was still wayy under sticker)

They have some damn good sales going on right now, Id check em out and at least test drive one.

No way would I keep that Jeep...somebody got rid of it for a reason.

probably because they lost their job

WV · 10-01-2011, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vailpass

1. Not anywhere near the same vehicle
2. A japanese pick up truck?

Oh geesh....yeah because the "American" Chrysler company puts out such a great product.

cardken · 10-01-2011, 08:27 AM

I had bought a car from CarMax, and had a few issues during the 30 day and extended warranty period. But they always took care of it with no hassle at all, and this was on the West Coast. Give them the chance to make it right, it is a used vehicle purchased cheap at auction. Not to be expected with absolutely no issues.
But if they bulk or do a bad job of diagnosing and fixing, move on you got 30 days to decide.

KCUnited · 10-01-2011, 08:39 AM

I've got a 2001 Cherokee Sport. Mine has done something similar since the day I bought it (used in 2007). The airbag/check engine light will come on and all the gauges will drop to zero. No joke, a simple pound on the dash and the airbag/check engine lights go off and all the gauges return to normal.

Sometimes it will do it several days in a row, sometimes it will go 6 months or longer without doing it. It's never left me stranded and I've never had it in the shop. Outside a '94 Volvo I drove to 220k, its been the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned.

Brock · 10-01-2011, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HonestChieffan

Would that have any bearing (no pun intended) on my terribly negative experience with a Jeep that I owned and suffered under for 4 years?

Would a complete list of cars and trucks I have owned have any relation to the POS Jeep I had?

Yeah, I figured you wouldn't answer that.

Radar Chief · 10-01-2011, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WVChiefFan

Oh geesh....yeah because the "American" Chrysler company puts out such a great product.

Jeep is pretty much propping up that company right now, its one of their few profitable products.

ClevelandBronco · 10-01-2011, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

Yeah, I figured you wouldn't answer that.

Okay, let's say he drives a 1967 Renault. Now what?

09-30-2011, 10:03 AM
rageeumr Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: St. Louis :( Casino cash: $9989900	Car Guys - Advice Requested So I bought an 08 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited last night from Carmax. I'm no car guy (will become apparent as this OP progresses) but it seemed to run strong and had no issues during the test drive. As I'm driving the thing home, it beeps at me and the dash lights up like a Christmas tree. Check engine light comes on along with brake, ABS, ESP BAS and seat belt. Speedo drops to zero and after a little while I notice the odometer isn't running, either. This continues until I get home. I had to run some errands so I (perhaps foolishly) took it back out. This time, it would sporadically do what I mentioned above and then some of the lights would go off and the traction control light would come on. At that point, the speedo and odometer would start working again. This morning on my way to work, nothing but the check engine light. Then, on my way to take it back to Carmax to get it looked at, no lights whatsoever. At no point was the mechanical performance of the car affected at all. They ran a quick diagnostic at Carmax and said it was giving them codes related to the computer, so they would have to send it to a local dealer to work on. The service tech mentioned in passing that he thought one of the codes was related to the PCM. They set me up with a loaner and sent me on my way. All the work is covered under their 30-day warranty, so that's not really a concern of mine. So if you made it this far, here's my conundrum. I can return the vehicle for a full refund for the next 5 days. (They also said they would "stop the clock" while the Jeep is being worked on). I'm obviously considering doing just that, but I really don't know how big of a problem this is. Is this an odd isolated incident, or does it point to bigger underlying electrical issues? I don't know if I should be happy that I'm getting an expensive part replaced during my 30 day window or if I should cut ties and run.
Posts: 2,313

09-30-2011, 11:11 PM	#68
BossChief SuperBowl or bust Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: BF Iowa Casino cash: $1524088	I am a Nissan guy. Had a few Maximas and never had a problem. I bought a new Frontier crew cab 4x4 and tow package at the tent sale on june 30th for 6500 off sticker. Brought the truck down to 22.5. (after 120,000 bumper to bumper warranty, tax title license and everything was still wayy under sticker) They have some damn good sales going on right now, Id check em out and at least test drive one. No way would I keep that Jeep...somebody got rid of it for a reason. __________________ Dreams do come true... http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...postcount=1407
Posts: 47,175

10-01-2011, 08:27 AM	#71
cardken Veteran Join Date: Nov 2006 Casino cash: $10004900	I had bought a car from CarMax, and had a few issues during the 30 day and extended warranty period. But they always took care of it with no hassle at all, and this was on the West Coast. Give them the chance to make it right, it is a used vehicle purchased cheap at auction. Not to be expected with absolutely no issues. But if they bulk or do a bad job of diagnosing and fixing, move on you got 30 days to decide. __________________ This country can't be knocked out in one punch. We get right back up again and when we do the world is going to hear the roar of our engines. Yeah. It's halftime, America. And our second half is about to begin.
Posts: 1,722

10-01-2011, 08:39 AM	#72
KCUnited Cheat Death Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Land of Drincoln Casino cash: $1918244	I've got a 2001 Cherokee Sport. Mine has done something similar since the day I bought it (used in 2007). The airbag/check engine light will come on and all the gauges will drop to zero. No joke, a simple pound on the dash and the airbag/check engine lights go off and all the gauges return to normal. Sometimes it will do it several days in a row, sometimes it will go 6 months or longer without doing it. It's never left me stranded and I've never had it in the shop. Outside a '94 Volvo I drove to 220k, its been the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned.
Posts: 34,124