Tracey Harrison

Bought just 2 weeks ago. Soon as it was transferred drove across the road from courthouse to get air and came out to antifreeze leaking (huge green puddle) and bubbling out of the overflow. I did leave it running for about 10 minutes when this occured. Removed thermostat, problem solved. Go 5 more miles down the road and the transmission stopped pulling in all gears. Had it towed and changed transmission fluid and filters (transmission fluid smelled burnt and black, also had metal shavings in trans pan). Drove like a dream for days. Then a week later it is hit or miss. It will shut off at a light or when coming to a stop and sometimes it don't. So changed transmission fluid and filter again, this time it's a dark purple and not many metal shavings and thin layers of something like carbon laying in tray. Did this last night and ran perfect. However today it just wants to shut off when put in gear and will jerk. But it will eventually go. And I have to take it out of overdrive. If its in overdrive it will jump, stall, and act all kinds of crazy.
Also once you get going past 55mph it drives perfect, not sure why. Someone told me it was because at 55 it goes out of 4wd.
And if you try to turn on the air conditioner (the thermostat is still removed), it will cause it to overheat and spew fluid like in the beginning.

Please help, as this is my only vehicle and I am praying it's not going to be a very expensive fix.

TwistedWrench

Start by checking the fuel pump relay, after that look at the ignition switch.

Tracey Harrison

I have a 94 Jeep Laredo 5.2 and it is acting and sounding very crazy at times. I bought it about 2 weeks ago. The day I got it, pulled across the road after transferring into my name (I needed air in 1 of the tires & there was a mechanic shop) left motor running while I ran in came back out, like 2-3 minutes top) and green anti freeze was pouring out from the over flow and the temperature gauge was reading hot. So I let it cool down put more antifreeze and and checked the rest of the fluids, everything appeared fine. Fired right up, then not even 5 miles later it did it again. Let it cool down again and added anti freeze, 5 miles later back on the side of road. So a man stopped and had some tools and removed my thermostat, which did solve that problem. Back on the road for maybe 10 minutes and the transmission just stopped pulling. So I had it towed to a friend's garage, and changed the fluid and filter in transmission, which seemed to do the job, for a few days. And let me add the transmission fluid was thick, dark and had metal shavings and the next morning when I went to start it, it wouldn't turn over, just made a clicking noise. Got a jump, drove it for hours and even charged the battery back to life, which did not help, so now I have replaced the battery. I have had this Jeep for going on 2 weeks now and here is what it is currently doing:
1. In the mornings when I go to start it fires right up and runs good. On occasions I will hear a noise coming from around the passenger side front end (was told it could be torque converter also told to change my transmission fluid filter and the seal too (cause last I left the old seal on). I did use Lucas treatment in both cases. This time the fluid was a dark purple, not many shavings,however there was long pieces of something (maybe from a belt or carbon build up, not quit sure) laying in bottom of pan.
2. Most of the time it while not go in overdrive. If overdrive is on it will jerk and sputter while shifting most of the time.
3. Sometimes when I have to come to a stop it will shut off, other times it don't. It's about a 50 50 chance of doing either. But, if you keep your foot on the gas and brake at the same time then it will not die and will remain running.
4. I can see a part in the engine that isn't hooked into anything. It's like a vacuum hose, but it will still run if you seal the ends of it up, not sure what this part is but it does suck in air.
5. At times when I go to put it in gear, if it don't die first, it makes a loud whining noise.
6. But keep in mind it does none of this on my drive into work, which is about 20 or so miles.
7. I do want to also clarify that the thermostat is still out of the vehicle, as I don't have a lot of money, I am having to do things slower but this is my only vehicle and I depend on it to get to work, run with the kids, etc.

If anyone can help me I would greatly appreciate. As it started falling apart as soon as it was transferred into my name. The previous owner will not cooperate at all. He blocked my number and told me "it's your baby now" and hung up.
I am a newbie to this forum, and all information is appreciated!

EZEARL

First off WELCOME!
Let's deal with the trans first. If it was me and because I know a transmission shop I can trust I would take it there for an evaluation. Most places do it free and that's why you need to know you can trust them. If you can find one do that and then get back to us with the results. It would help.

Tracey Harrison

I finally got my codes and they are 12, which I have replaced the battery. 17 saying to much coolant/thermostat (because I took mine out and never replaced is probably why) and finally 55. So it didn't give me much to go on. I do have a trusted body shop and I hope to take it there soon. But if I put the thermostat back in, I wonder if that will fix my problems? I hope it does.

EZEARL

12 basically means the On Board Diagnostic (OBD I) system is ready to scan. No need to replace the battery. 55 means the scan has ended. 17 basically means operating temp wasn't reached or not reached in time. Thermostat should fix it unless the engine got too hot causing other issues. Sounds like the one that was taken out wasn't opening so don't use it. Get the MOPAR one listed for your vehicle if you can afford it. If not get a Stant without the lever.

TwistedWrench

@Tracey

Sounds like this ******* sold you a turd, knowing full well it was a turd.

That said, break it down into manageable bits.

It has a cooling system issue. I know funds are tight, so don't throw parts at it. Since you have the thermostat out, go ahead and THOROUGHLY flush the system. This will clean it out, and let you know if the water pump is working. Then install a thermostat, as stated above, Mopar if you can swing it. Then fill it with 50/50 coolant/water.

Next the transmission. Assuming it's not fragged out/worn out, it could just be suffering from neglect. Might take a few fluid/filter changes to get all the crud out. If that doesn't clear it up, you may be looking at a rebuild. Hopefully not.