I have a 1998 TJ 2.5 with a manual. The Jeep runs fine but I'm wondering about the 25 year old computer. Do the on board components degrade even if the Jeep has had an easy life? Is the Wranglerfix computer for mine a custom model like the 05/06 or are they rebuilt from used units?
Question for Wranglerfix
- Thread starter 6thJeepAR
- Start date
There are no OEM new parts for the TJ years. They are all rebuilt and suffer from common failures. Leaking caps is the biggest killer of these boards.
To prevent failure make sure your grounds are clean, battery terminals polished like your Sunday school shoes and don’t give anyone a jump as their problems quickly become yours. It always come back to the basics on a jeep.
To prevent failure make sure your grounds are clean, battery terminals polished like your Sunday school shoes and don’t give anyone a jump as their problems quickly become yours. It always come back to the basics on a jeep.
I can answer some of that...based on previous posts...Mark has mentioned that the capacitors break down over time and leak...the fluid is pretty caustic and can damage other components on the board.
I've seen this first hand repairing computers...cheap capacitors suck and can fail quickly.
I too am concerned about the PCM on my 97...but I trust that @Wranglerfix could supply me with a PCM quickly enough to not warrant a preventive replacement.
That being said...pull the connectors on your PCM and inspect the pins for corrosion and damage.
Lot of people blame components when the wiring is to blame.
-Mac
I've seen this first hand repairing computers...cheap capacitors suck and can fail quickly.
I too am concerned about the PCM on my 97...but I trust that @Wranglerfix could supply me with a PCM quickly enough to not warrant a preventive replacement.
That being said...pull the connectors on your PCM and inspect the pins for corrosion and damage.
Lot of people blame components when the wiring is to blame.
-Mac
There are no OEM new parts for the TJ years. They are all rebuilt and suffer from common failures. Leaking caps is the biggest killer of these boards.
To prevent failure make sure your grounds are clean, battery terminals polished like your Sunday school shoes and don’t give anyone a jump as their problems quickly become yours. It always come back to the basics on a jeep.
View attachment 546431
Don’t give anyone a jump start from our TJ’s? Interesting.
Should we be carrying a portable jumper box/battery instead? Or is there a way to jump another rig safely from a computer point of view?
What if its your TJ that needs the jump start ?
Then you retain your own issues
I carry a jumper in my rig, which I used last night when a fella’s vehicle wouldn’t start after he loaded up 8 water jugs from a filling station. We were waiting on him for a while so it was almost comical.
You could see the appreciation in his eyes once his car started up. Those things are good to have even if it only helps you help others.
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After my NOCO GB40 was stolen with my recovery bag, I purchased the Andeman E-Power 155 since it was 30% cheaper and provided double the power. I purchased it after a critic did comparisons.
I’ve jumped three vehicles including my friend’s diesel. Haven’t used it for the Jeep yet, but it stays with me just in case. I believe it loses 2% per boost since it was 98% before I helped a guy last night and I jumped the diesel 2-3 months ago.
I like that the charge status is displayed as a percentage rather than by indicator lights. It’s also nice to have something like this for charging phones and other devices in a pinch. I also like that I don’t have to worry about turning it on…you just plug in the jumper and do your thing.
I don’t know what brand or model is the best, but so far this has worked well the few times I’ve used it.
I bought direct rather than on Amazon. It looks like they make a newer version in case anyone is interested.
https://andeman.com/products/epower-155-pro-jump-starter-3000a-battery-20000mah-up-to-9l
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The calls go something like this…”I was giving someone a jump and now my jeep won’t start.”
The other issue is skim. Even if you do not have skim, a jumped battery can activate it. I believe it is due to a bad ground or loose battery terminals.
The other issue is skim. Even if you do not have skim, a jumped battery can activate it. I believe it is due to a bad ground or loose battery terminals.
I wonder if these people touched positive to negative while it was connected to their Jeep. I guess we’ll never know, so it’s best to play it safe.
I only mentioned that out of curiosity since I’ve seen a commuter car’s ECU no longer command an e-fan to turn on after +/- jumpers briefly touched.
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Looks like my Audew, it's been by far a better jumpstarter than any of the other ones I've tried. Highly recommend it.
https://www.audew.com/Epower-155-Jump-Starter-Promotion-278.html
Good to know.
We have mini jump boxes (similar to what folks have shown). Got ours from Costco. (i even used one on a jet ski down in the bay.)
Our F150 and our Civic have jumped MANY, many rigs over the years and have themselves been jumped a number of times (had them both for 10 years each) using jumper cables or jump boxes with zero issues.
Didn't realize TJ's were so delicate.
We have mini jump boxes (similar to what folks have shown). Got ours from Costco. (i even used one on a jet ski down in the bay.)
Our F150 and our Civic have jumped MANY, many rigs over the years and have themselves been jumped a number of times (had them both for 10 years each) using jumper cables or jump boxes with zero issues.
Didn't realize TJ's were so delicate.
I have jumped many vehicles without causing the vehicle I was using to provide the power any issues. I could see issues if the battery was hooked up incorrectly. I never let anyone do the hook up if it's my vehicle. I know how to jump a vehicle correctly.
That said, I have a jump box and carry it with me when out in the Jeep. I always will use it first before jumper cables. Have jumped many vehicles with it. Works great. Primary intended use is for self recovery but it's also there to help others.
That said, I have a jump box and carry it with me when out in the Jeep. I always will use it first before jumper cables. Have jumped many vehicles with it. Works great. Primary intended use is for self recovery but it's also there to help others.
I'll tell ya, man — one of the single best adds to the tool box ever. I love this thing. It's bailed me out numerous times and made me look like Superman to friends, instantly starting fully dead batteries. I swear by it. Comes with an easily-stored zippered hard case too.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B085SYC718/?tag=wranglerorg-20
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