2014 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk 3.2 V-6 95,200 miles

Hey Kids,
So I drive up to my remote cabin 282 miles from home no problem. Hung out for a day or so, went to the local store to get gas and eggs, came back and parked the Jeep. Then I decided to turn it around so I could hook up the little utility trailer, I turn the key and I get nothing but "Service Transmission" notice on the display. No clicking, no sounds, no nothing.. I try again, nothing. I check to see if it's in park and it is and I also notice I can't move the shift lever at all.

I end up renting a truck and trailer ($400) and haul it all the way back home and drop it off at the local NJ Jeep Dealer. They look at it and then call me and tell me the battery is dead, shorted out they said. Okay... easy fix. I'll do that myself, so push the Jeep outside. $177 dollars later, I bring the new battery over to the dealer and drop it in. Guess what..... Nothing. Same result. Only this time I had items on the display and after I checked the terminals to ensure they were tight enough, the display was completely blank and I couldn't even put the windows up. Eventually after enough fiddling, power came back to the system and I was able to put the windows up, but when I turned the key to the "RUN" position, complete silence.

I called the place I got the battery and was advised that they always send out their batteries fully charged.

I suspect two things here:
1. The monkeys at the Jeep dealership have no idea what they are doing and are just assuming the first thing that jumps out at them.
2. There is something afoot between the battery and the ignition.
C. This is a computer issue.
Q. There is actually a transmission issue that shuts the car completely down.
43. The car has COVID-19 and needs to be put on a respirator.
X. Two bricks of C4 should take care of the issue.

I have sadly owned this Jeep for 3 years now and it has been nothing but trouble. Every six months or so, something else goes.
So far:
Fuel tank replaced
Cruise control recall
4wd failure at low speed/accident/no airbag deployment
Left front wheel fell off
Front differential replacement
Transmission software recall
....and current issue.

While I do want to part ways with it, I still owe on it. So any suggestions short of the use of C4 would be greatly appreciated. I haven't heard back from the Stealership yet and I will update post when I do.

Thank you for your suggestions in advance.

They say this is because of a dead battery? Ummm.....
Ted

 

My 2014 is the same - horrid non-stop issues - C4 it! Have never seen this issue though...just another potential for those who haven't seen it....wishing you luck in this newest Cherokee bomb.

 

On my 2014, the battery did almost the same thing when it died (It shorted out as well). If you have it available, use a load tester to verify that the new battery is actually fully charged and functioning properly. If the battery tests good, have the dealer actually diagnose the car. They should be able to hook up a computer to the car and get some actual information from it. If they refuse, contact JeepCares or perhaps another local dealer. There are too many computers and electronic systems that can fail, sometimes even when a battery dies.

I am hanging on to my 92 Cherokee until I am dead.

 

My wife had a 2002 Cherokee and she loved it. Straight-6. That thing was awesome. She gave it to her daughter who wrecked it not long after. But my wife was still able to sell it for good money for the engine and parts.

The one I have is a nice vehicle but it has waaaaaaaay too many issues. I can't wait to get rid of this P.O.S.

 

UPDATE:
Pine Belt Jeep calls me on Tuesday and said that thanks to the new battery they were able to diagnose the problem and have discovered it is the starter. I remain suspicious of their diagnosis. Their cost to replace the starter: $1013 after taxes. My regular mechanic at the Goodyear place wants $400. Hmmm.... The Jeep service department would not release the Cherokee to me until I paid the "new" diagnosis fee of $141. I said no. They got it wrong the first time and I wasn't going to pay for another fee. I finally got on the phone with the service manager and said to him, exact words: "You guys handled this incorrectly. When it was discovered that the battery was dead, Jeep should have taken it upon themselves to find a good battery, install it, diagnose the problem and then advise me that I need a new battery and a starter. Not to tell me I need a new battery and then we can diagnose it. You wasted my time and my money. Now you want to charge me another diagnostic fee when it could have been discovered the first time if done properly". When he asked my why I was taking it somewhere else to fix I had to point out the difference in price and his only response was "Oh, I see". They elected to drop the second fee and I used my roadside assistence from my insurance company to move the Jeep to Mr. Tire repair center on Thursday evening. At this time I do not know the status but I suspect after the holiday weekend (the 4th of July) I will know something.

I did look at a Jeep Gladiator they had on the floor. Really nice vehicle and they are getting great reviews. But at $52,000 it is not likely I'll see one in my driveway anytime soon.

UPDATE #2:
Just got a call from Mr. Tire Service Center and they are done with the Cherokee. They also had to replace a corroded ground which was also a problem. All done: $396. Jeep wanted $1013. I also had them check the old battery to see if it is still good and..... the old battery IS good and they have put it back in so now I can return the NEW one that I bought and didn't need. I realize that at some point I may need a new battery, but right now, I do not. So I'm going to get my money back. I'll be picking up the Cherokee in about an hour.

So far this starter replacement as cost me $1136. Of that I will get $177 back. Not happy at all. Buyer beware. Do your research before buying a vehicle. Be sure and check out www.carcomplaints.com to get the best assessment of the vehicle you are thinking of. Had I done that first, I can assure you, this Cherokee would have never seen my driveway.

Drive safely with both hands and your head firmly planted on your shoulders and not elsewhere.
Ted

Ted

 

Glad to hear they diagnosed it and waived the fee. It never fails to amaze me that they neglect to do more than basic one step diagnosis. They DEFINITELY had a brand new battery they could have place in the vehicle temporarily and check further.

My dealer quoted me 1400 to do pads and rotors, front and rear on my 2014. I can get the parts and do it myself for easily $1000 less. (I don't buy the cheap parts, usually middle of the road or better)

I do like the look of the new Gladiator too, but I honestly do not know if I will ever buy another new car again unless I get a factory backed extended warranty. With all the reliability issues and cost to repair between parts and labor, it just seems crazy.

 

Agree on the new car comment. CPO's going forward...and it won't be Jeep...