First off, sorry for my overwhelming ignorance concerning vehicles. At home I attempt (and sometimes succeed!) to be a DIY person, so long as what I'm attempting to do clearly isn't beyond the realm of even a capable layman. And now I'm beginning my first foray into vehicles (wow the complexity can be overwhelming!) That being said...

I'm currently trying to get back on the road my Jeep. Brief backstory: I had been driving it fine for weeks, without issue. One day, no more than a mile away from work, the entire vehicle ceased to function. No lights, radio, clicks, clacks, clanks or anything. While driving. It just. Stopped. Towed it home. Plenty of gas in the vehicle. Took the battery up to get tested. Completely bad. Beyond being recharged. Purchased a new battery. Nothing. A year goes by, and of course the battery I purchased is dead. Purchased yet another battery. Still nothing. So I hear it could be the starter. I replace the starter. Nothing. I hear it could be the alternator. I replace the alternator. Nothing. So at this point I have a new battery, starter, and alternator. So I decide to start investigating via the Web and YouTube for solutions/similar issues.

First, check the Fuses and Relays. I purchase a Multimeter, learn relatively confidently how to use it for the described functions. I even checked for amperage draws on the battery, just for the hell of it. All fuses are fine, all relays are fine.

Second, replace the (quite corroded) battery terminals. After feeling relatively confident on how to handle that procedure, I start working. After removing the terminals and removing the insulation protecting the wiring, I can see I definitely have an issue. The wires are beyond usable, fragile and disintegrating in my hand. Viola, perhaps. So I strip further down, and it's clear the issue goes far beyond the potential reach of the battery terminals.

Okay, now onto my question(s). 1. Why would the vehicle literally cease functioning as it did?

2a. After looking at the wiring diagram of the Jeep, and being very much a novice, is this even something I should attempt on my own? And if so, please give some advice!

2b. If it is NOT something that you experts believe could be tackled, what should I REASONABLY expect something like that to cost at a RELATIVELY honest mechanic?

3. Based on my vehicles backstory and abrupt death, is it likely that there is still a bigger issue than the wiring? (The reason I ask this is I am growing quite weary of the financial drain this is beginning to have, it's not a hobby, it's a vehicle of necessity. If you think it likely I'll just spend money to fix one issue that likely isn't even the original culprit then I think it may be time to forfeit.)

Thank you so much and sorry for rambling! Any help, comments, advice will be GREATLY appreciated!

 

Hi. Good for you for trying to figure things out yourself.

From your description it's hard to tell you exactly what is going on. Corroded grounds can do exactly what you mentioned happened. Pictures of what's happening can help but if you have several wires disintegrating in your hands, it may be best to have a reputable mechanical at least look at what's going on. Most will do that for free. Impossible to guess at a cost because we have no idea what is actually wrong. Could be simple to very complex. Electrical issues can be a nightmare at times to track down. You can post some pictures and see if we can help. Good luck!

 

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Interesting

 

The computer (PCM) will just shut down if voltage isn't right, either too high or too low. It does that to protect itself and the rest of the system. I'd say you need to replace both battery cables from the battery to the other ends. You can buy pre-made cables or have someone do it for you. Once you get power to the system you should be okay, I would think.

 

Does it have an antitheft system? If so it will have to be rearmed when powered up?

 

If you find your PCM is defective send me a PM, I program Chrysler PCM's and can remove the old SKIM code from a good used module from a salvage yard and put the correct code in to work with your security system.

Avoid the usual suspects selling "re manufactured" PCM's they are never anything but someone else's old problem I track every used module we program and there's less than a 4% failure rate in the field inside the first calendar year of installation that's a far better track record than re manufactured modules will ever have.

When you pull one at a salvage yard look for a low mile WJ that was obviously running and in a collision, the cleaner the better best ones always come out of the soccer moms grocery getter that never went offroad and lived it's life inside the garage out of the elements thankfully right now those PCM's are dirt cheap and readily available for time being.

That could change, failure rate at the age they are now is increasing rapidly when I started reprogramming them I never would have thought I would see as many as I do now. I actually carry a spare PCM in my WJ just in case, it's especially nice to have if were headed out on a trip somewhere the only place that can help you as a face to face service provider is a dealership and your looking a huge bill (1K+) for them to replace one plus down time and tow fee's.

 

Funny you should mention a soccer moms grocery getter kept in a warm garage because that's what my WJ was! 125K miles in 12 years, detailed just before I got it, with impeccable service records. AND no salt! It now has 238K miles on it and lives outside in tough NY winters with enough salt to turn it white, although it's white to begin with LOL!

 

I recently found this 04 Freedom edition that had been in storage for years, I just turned 80K this week it had PCM issues no one was able to remedy after several attempts with Mopar remans from the dealer and a real POS from Car Computer Exchange.

A $35.00 junk yard PCM module and 10 minutes of my time to program it put it back in service it's pretty much showroom condition and drives accordingly.