Bucking and Stalling Out of Nowhere

[Deep East TX LJ]

I have seen several posts with very similar symptoms:

• while driving and after engine is warm, jeep starts to buck and will stall as if out of gas
• gas gauge drops to zero (despite a full tank) and check engine light appears
• must pull key and reinsert to restart
• shifting into neutral and giving gas helps, but sounds and feels like a misfire
• Scanner showed P0335 (Crankshaft Position Sensor)
• replacing the Crankshaft Position Sensor (O Reillys only had Standard brand) and disconnecting the battery overnight did not help
• Scanner now shows P0335 and P0517 (Battery Temperature Sensor Circuit High)

I immediately came to the forum for help. All roads lead to PCM trouble and from what I can tell, WranglerFix.com is the only viable solution.

A quick phone call to Mark and valuable information later, I have a PCM on the way.

While sifting through the threads, I have seen many people on wild goose chases replacing part after part only to end up making the same call I did. Hopefully, I have bypassed the headache many have experienced with an inevitable problem for ’05 and ’06 TJ owners. Assuming this works like I expect it to, this post may save others some time and $.

I will make the switch upon delivery and update everyone asap.

 

[Chris]

Let us know how the PCM swap goes. Mark is the man!

 

[macleanflood]

I'd use the down time to clean grounds and deloom and inspect every inch of your engine harness.

-Mac

 

[Deep East TX LJ]

An update on the PCM swap...

The new PCM came in very quickly and the swap was as easy as anything I have done on the LJ.

Before the swap, I polished my battery terminals and grounds. I checked every electrical connection I could find. Grounds, etc. All seemed fine.

The LJ fired off and has ran/idled as well as it ever has.

A few miles into the test drive, the check engine light reappeared. The P0517 code is still there and now P0141 pops up.

WranglerFix.com has already warrantied the original PCM and is sending a replacement. If the codes show on the new PCM, then there is no doubt that I will need to address those issues accordingly. If not, the new PCM is all I will need.

A couple of things to note regarding the codes:
P0517: I recently added a Motobilt battery relocation kit as part of the highline fender install. I do not remember having a Battery Temp Sensor. But, if the code remains I may consider adding one?

P0141: Indicates an O2 Sensor problem. I replaced all of the O2 Sensors less than 2 years ago with the NTK brand. I am hoping that code goes away. If not, I guess I will replace with a different brand.

At any rate, WranglerFix.com has been great to work with. I will continue to update this thread until all codes are gone. Hopefully, sooner than later! This may save others from going on some of the wild goose chases I have read about.

 

[macleanflood]

Battery temp sensor can be deactivated with HP Tuners or replaced with a 30 to 40 kOhm resistor.

As to the O2 issue I'd be reading live ODB data and checking voltages. Should range lower than .9v.

Torque Lite app and a $30 Bluetooth ODB dongle will do it.

-Mac

 

[Deep East TX LJ]

As always, very helpful. Thank you!

 

[JKP]

MOPAR or NTK O2s only. NTK made them for MOPAR.

Not all TJs came with the battery temp sensor, my 06 doesn't have one.

 

[Deep East TX LJ]

MOPAR or NTK O2s only. NTK made them for MOPAR.

Not all TJs came with the battery temp sensor, my 06 doesn't have one.

Good to know. Surely, the NTKs that are less than 2 years old should still be good then.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Surely, the NTKs that are less than 2 years old should still be good then.

Not if they're the ones made in China.

 

[Deep East TX LJ]

Project Update: The replacement PCM was delivered Friday and the swap was made. I have driven the LJ a little over 20 miles with several pauses to idle. No check engine light. No codes.

I cannot say enough about the crew at WranglerFix.com!