Home and Auto Car Guys - Advice Requested

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.

**HemiEd** · 09-30-2011, 10:07 AM

I would return it if it was me. The PCM is probably the problem, but that is horrible way to start out with a late model car.

Dayze · 09-30-2011, 10:07 AM

depending on your situation, and how badly you need a car/can get a car etc, I would consider a different vehicle. I'd be worried once that particular issue is 'fixed', what else will go wrong with it (electronically) after your 30 days is up etc.
who knows; it's only 3 years old maybe the previous owner was experiencing a bunch of BS with a relatively 'new' car and decided to unload it/tired of dealing with it.

if I were paying for a 3 year old vehicle, there shouldn't be ANYTHING going wrong with it for quite a while.

Just my opinion.

rageeumr · 09-30-2011, 10:07 AM

I forgot to mention that my first thought was that someone had been messing with the dash cluster. I had a coworker who had a switch installed in his Chevy 1500 and could turn off the dash so the odometer wouldn't roll.

After looking online, though, it looks like this particular issue is pretty common in Wranglers, so that eased my fraud concerns.

Sofa King · 09-30-2011, 10:08 AM

Return that bitch! There's no way this isn't the start of some bad shit. Don't take a chance.

Chief Pote · 09-30-2011, 10:09 AM

Well you're not telling the entire story. How many miles and how much did you pay for the car? I'd guess that you didn't get a good deal at Carmax(regardless of the condition) so the details should be included if you're looking for advice.

09-30-2011, 10:10 AM

If you return it to carmax the next owner will drive it 200k miles problem-free. But if you keep it, you'll have 100 problems. It's a very cool ride.

rageeumr · 09-30-2011, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefPote

Well you're not telling the entire story. How many miles and how much did you pay for the car? I'd guess that you didn't get a good deal at Carmax(regardless of the condition) so the details should be included if you're looking for advice.

39K miles. I paid $20,998, which is probably toward the lower end of what you would expect the dealer price to be on that vehicle, but I certainly wouldn't consider it a "good deal".

rageeumr · 09-30-2011, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dayze

depending on your situation, and how badly you need a car/can get a car etc, I would consider a different vehicle. I'd be worried once that particular issue is 'fixed', what else will go wrong with it (electronically) after your 30 days is up etc.
who knows; it's only 3 years old maybe the previous owner was experiencing a bunch of BS with a relatively 'new' car and decided to unload it/tired of dealing with it.

if I were paying for a 3 year old vehicle, there shouldn't be ANYTHING going wrong with it for quite a while.

Just my opinion.

Ya, this is along my line of thinking. I'm just frustrated because I've been looking for months for "the right vehicle" and if I return this one, I'll more than likely be forced to buy "the best available vehicle"

Chief Pote · 09-30-2011, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rageeumr

39K miles. I paid $20,998, which is probably toward the lower end of what you would expect the dealer price to be on that vehicle, but I certainly wouldn't consider it a "good deal".

Ask them to extend the warranty for a period you're comfortable with if you decide to keep the car. That's the least they should do in this case. If they don't, I think I'd return it. It just might be your warning that it's a lemon.

ModSocks · 09-30-2011, 10:13 AM

I'd return it and get something else. Things like that don't go wrong in 10 year old cars, so they sure as hell shouldn't be going wrong in a 3 year old car. Sounds like trouble to me.

rageeumr · 09-30-2011, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefPote

Ask them to extend the warranty for a period you're comfortable with if you decide to keep the car. That's the least they should do in this case. If they don't, I think I'd return it. It just might be your warning that it's a lemon.

Very solid suggestion. I just wonder if they'll stick to their "we don't negotiate" guns with regard to extending the warranty. I'm definitely going to try, though.

vailpass · 09-30-2011, 10:18 AM

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/

MIAdragon · 09-30-2011, 10:19 AM

Electrical problems are a nightmare, return it asap.

Dr. Gigglepants · 09-30-2011, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vailpass

I've owned Jeep. Your troubles are just beginning. Get out now if you can.

This.

Mwuahahahahaaa...run. Run away and don't look back. Take that ****er back, go pick it up from the shop now, and take it back. Return it, now.

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, 10:07 AM	#2
HemiEd Supporter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ozarks Casino cash: $3110564	I would return it if it was me. The PCM is probably the problem, but that is horrible way to start out with a late model car.
Posts: 33,456

09-30-2011, 10:07 AM	#3
Dayze Resident Glue Sniffer Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $5029358	depending on your situation, and how badly you need a car/can get a car etc, I would consider a different vehicle. I'd be worried once that particular issue is 'fixed', what else will go wrong with it (electronically) after your 30 days is up etc. who knows; it's only 3 years old maybe the previous owner was experiencing a bunch of BS with a relatively 'new' car and decided to unload it/tired of dealing with it. if I were paying for a 3 year old vehicle, there shouldn't be ANYTHING going wrong with it for quite a while. Just my opinion.
Posts: 37,371

09-30-2011, 10:07 AM	#4
rageeumr Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: St. Louis :( Casino cash: $9989900	I forgot to mention that my first thought was that someone had been messing with the dash cluster. I had a coworker who had a switch installed in his Chevy 1500 and could turn off the dash so the odometer wouldn't roll. After looking online, though, it looks like this particular issue is pretty common in Wranglers, so that eased my fraud concerns.
Posts: 2,313

09-30-2011, 10:08 AM	#5
Sofa King Hello Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South Dakota Casino cash: $902096 VARSITY	Return that bitch! There's no way this isn't the start of some bad shit. Don't take a chance.
Posts: 23,230

09-30-2011, 10:09 AM	#6
Chief Pote Veteran Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Undercover..... Casino cash: $8252638	Well you're not telling the entire story. How many miles and how much did you pay for the car? I'd guess that you didn't get a good deal at Carmax(regardless of the condition) so the details should be included if you're looking for advice.
Posts: 3,462

09-30-2011, 10:10 AM	#7
Phobia Guest Casino cash: $	If you return it to carmax the next owner will drive it 200k miles problem-free. But if you keep it, you'll have 100 problems. It's a very cool ride.
Posts: n/a

09-30-2011, 10:13 AM	#11
ModSocks Needs more middle fingers Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego Casino cash: $4144563	I'd return it and get something else. Things like that don't go wrong in 10 year old cars, so they sure as hell shouldn't be going wrong in a 3 year old car. Sounds like trouble to me. __________________ Life is like a dick. Sometimes it gets hard for no reason, but it can't stay hard forever.
Posts: 64,437

09-30-2011, 10:18 AM	#13
vailpass Psycho Bag Of Squanch Join Date: Sep 2001 Casino cash: $9594244	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/ __________________ “Education is a weapon whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed.” Joseph Stalin
Posts: 69,591

09-30-2011, 10:19 AM	#14
MIAdragon Someone pass the antifreeze Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Miami (North Cuba) Casino cash: $1427819	Electrical problems are a nightmare, return it asap.
Posts: 15,775