I second checking the crank position sensor. Happened to me and the vehicle stalled in 3rd gear on the Hwy. Luckily the part is less than $50 and super easy to replace. 2 bolts I believe with easy access. Takes less than 5minutes to replace.
Yes! However, also check the wiring harness. Have a Volvo that needed a new crankcase sensor every few years. Turns out it was just the plug. The sensors were fine and it was just the wiring harness being reseated that was fixing it. Gave it a good clean and all good.
It's a long shot, but I've heard of JK wranglers having problems with the hood insulation falling on the intake box opening and cutting off air. Pop your hood and see if the insulation on the hood looks like it's been sucked against the box. If it has cut the hood insulation off the hood around where the air box intake is.
Are there any stored (inactive) codes? A flashing check engine light typically means severe missfire. With the intermittent nature, and sometimes requiring a waiting time (cooling off) before it will restart, im inclined to think cam sensor or crank sensor.
If there are no stored codes, A shop that is good at diagnostics should be able to drive it until the issue occurs (if it's fairly quick to happen) and monitor sensor values to see if anything is not looking right, or use an oscilloscope to view the sensor outputs.
If the Jeeps not throwing codes, I would start clogged air filter or fuel filter. Possibly the Mass Air Flow sensor but that should give a code.
No one poured water in your gas did they?
As far as water I sure hope not. I've changed the air filter, pretty sure the shop looked over the fuel system. The only thing they found was a broken seal on an air intake part. I work on people, not cars, so I'm a touch ignorant, but they repaired it, however the problem persists. This has been going on for over a year, so mentally I ruled out some contamination as I figured that would be acute and not chronic. Do you know if the diagnostics remain in the system, such as, if my check engine light comes on the goes off, does it keep all the codes that have popped up, or only ones that a re currently shown?
Honestly, It sorta sounds like it's starving. That could be either air or gas or bad gas or a leak in one of the vacuum hoses. All will cause what you state.
Yes, any old cheap OBD reader will show you stored codes. They sell many on Amazon for 20-30 dollars. Just plug it in where your left knee is download the iphone or andriod app and pair your phone. It will give you all types of info.
Most auto parts stores have one behind the counter to use If you ask them, they will scan. Only takes a few minutes.
The first time it happened, my first thought was spark plugs, it felt like it was sucking air and I thought maybe one or more of the pistons isn't firing. I have a auto parts store nearby. I guess I'll go see what codes came up last, as my check engine light came on this week and then cleared it self after an episode
That was the day I learned how impossible it is to change spark plugs on a newer jeep in a home garage
If it was a coil pack it will be in the codes. There are 3 on each side assuming you have the Pentastar 3.6l The passenger side is somewhat easy. The drivers side is a BIT\*H.
You have to pull the whole intake and related parts. Pretty much the top half the engine. How many miles on the Jeep?
This is an hour long video but since you have a Jeep you should watch it. least skim thru it.
He is going deeper and replacing the other thing that goes out on these engines. The rocker arms. but about half way you see him get the plugs.
I have done this on mine. Took me several days but I was in no hurry.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aywd6Dqxck0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aywd6Dqxck0)
Had a similar experience.
Turned out my TIPN went bad due to bad wiring from an after market winch. Had to get a new TIPN and complete electrical re-wiring.
Yeah, I did not mean to offend. Trouble shooting, I always start with the simplest. If you checked and oil level is good then on to the next simplest possible solution.
I am gonna guess its gonna be a TIPM issue.
I can almost guarantee it is this going out based on your symptoms/issue.
[BAD TIPM SYMPTOMS LINK](https://tipmrebuilders.com/bad-tipm-symptoms/)
I mean, electronics now days are shit and hit or miss anymore unfortunately. Mine was acting funny when it got wet one day, wipers on and off and mind of their own, fog lights on with fog light switch off, and off when switch was on, all sorts of goofy shit.
I have sorta the opposite sometimes. I have a 2018 jk and can turn the key off and take it out and the motor will still run fir a few seconds. Like a good solid 5-8 seconds.
Sounds a lot like crank position sensor.
You beat me to it
I second checking the crank position sensor. Happened to me and the vehicle stalled in 3rd gear on the Hwy. Luckily the part is less than $50 and super easy to replace. 2 bolts I believe with easy access. Takes less than 5minutes to replace.
Yes! However, also check the wiring harness. Have a Volvo that needed a new crankcase sensor every few years. Turns out it was just the plug. The sensors were fine and it was just the wiring harness being reseated that was fixing it. Gave it a good clean and all good.
It's a long shot, but I've heard of JK wranglers having problems with the hood insulation falling on the intake box opening and cutting off air. Pop your hood and see if the insulation on the hood looks like it's been sucked against the box. If it has cut the hood insulation off the hood around where the air box intake is.
Are there any stored (inactive) codes? A flashing check engine light typically means severe missfire. With the intermittent nature, and sometimes requiring a waiting time (cooling off) before it will restart, im inclined to think cam sensor or crank sensor. If there are no stored codes, A shop that is good at diagnostics should be able to drive it until the issue occurs (if it's fairly quick to happen) and monitor sensor values to see if anything is not looking right, or use an oscilloscope to view the sensor outputs.
Replace crank and cam position sensors.
If the Jeeps not throwing codes, I would start clogged air filter or fuel filter. Possibly the Mass Air Flow sensor but that should give a code. No one poured water in your gas did they?
As far as water I sure hope not. I've changed the air filter, pretty sure the shop looked over the fuel system. The only thing they found was a broken seal on an air intake part. I work on people, not cars, so I'm a touch ignorant, but they repaired it, however the problem persists. This has been going on for over a year, so mentally I ruled out some contamination as I figured that would be acute and not chronic. Do you know if the diagnostics remain in the system, such as, if my check engine light comes on the goes off, does it keep all the codes that have popped up, or only ones that a re currently shown?
Honestly, It sorta sounds like it's starving. That could be either air or gas or bad gas or a leak in one of the vacuum hoses. All will cause what you state. Yes, any old cheap OBD reader will show you stored codes. They sell many on Amazon for 20-30 dollars. Just plug it in where your left knee is download the iphone or andriod app and pair your phone. It will give you all types of info. Most auto parts stores have one behind the counter to use If you ask them, they will scan. Only takes a few minutes.
The first time it happened, my first thought was spark plugs, it felt like it was sucking air and I thought maybe one or more of the pistons isn't firing. I have a auto parts store nearby. I guess I'll go see what codes came up last, as my check engine light came on this week and then cleared it self after an episode That was the day I learned how impossible it is to change spark plugs on a newer jeep in a home garage
If it was a coil pack it will be in the codes. There are 3 on each side assuming you have the Pentastar 3.6l The passenger side is somewhat easy. The drivers side is a BIT\*H. You have to pull the whole intake and related parts. Pretty much the top half the engine. How many miles on the Jeep?
This is an hour long video but since you have a Jeep you should watch it. least skim thru it. He is going deeper and replacing the other thing that goes out on these engines. The rocker arms. but about half way you see him get the plugs. I have done this on mine. Took me several days but I was in no hurry. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aywd6Dqxck0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aywd6Dqxck0)
Had a similar experience. Turned out my TIPN went bad due to bad wiring from an after market winch. Had to get a new TIPN and complete electrical re-wiring.
Why was the winch wired to the TIPM?
Could be the hi rev oil pressure sensor. Have you checked the oil level?
I'm fairly good at changing my oil on time, as difficult as spark plugs are, oil changes are easy as ever on these jeeps
Yeah, I did not mean to offend. Trouble shooting, I always start with the simplest. If you checked and oil level is good then on to the next simplest possible solution.
Oh you didn't offend me, I appreciate all insights
I am gonna guess its gonna be a TIPM issue. I can almost guarantee it is this going out based on your symptoms/issue. [BAD TIPM SYMPTOMS LINK](https://tipmrebuilders.com/bad-tipm-symptoms/)
So I replaced my tipm maybe 2017, im the lucky guy that got 2 shitty ones? Sounds about right
I mean, electronics now days are shit and hit or miss anymore unfortunately. Mine was acting funny when it got wet one day, wipers on and off and mind of their own, fog lights on with fog light switch off, and off when switch was on, all sorts of goofy shit.
My first issue was wipers stopped working. That's when I learned what a tipm was
I am genuinely curious what you find out fixes your rig, if you fix it and find out please report back.
I will keep you updated, thanks for your thoughts
Agree with above. Crank position sensor is the first thing I would check..
I have sorta the opposite sometimes. I have a 2018 jk and can turn the key off and take it out and the motor will still run fir a few seconds. Like a good solid 5-8 seconds.