Caution for Jeep Grand Cherokee Owners

Submitted: Tuesday, Jun 16, 2015 at 15:24
ThreadID: 119202 Views:3486 Replies:10 FollowUps:9
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Hi All,
I have a 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee and would like to warn other owners of the Grand Cherokee of the potential for significant damage to their air con systems. The lower part of the air con condenser is exposed beneath the radiator and can be subjected to stone damage. I had a small impact, about 5 mm in diameter, in the exposed part of the condenser and it will cost about $1800 to fix! They have to pull off the entire front of the car and replace a major piece of the cooling system.
A small stone must have passed through the 20 mm grid at the lower front of the vehicle without the grid stopping the stone.
I would suggest to other owners that a smaller mesh size be installed in this lower grill to reduce the risk of this damage. My local Jeep dealer showed no concern for this apparent example of poor design.
Happy Travels,
Grant
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Reply By: 322 - Tuesday, Jun 16, 2015 at 16:04

Tuesday, Jun 16, 2015 at 16:04
Do any of the after market companies make any form of protection for the Jeep? If not, I would be calling someone like Brown Davis in Bayswater Victoria to see if they could fabricate something.
AnswerID: 556037

Follow Up By: Member - GrantBoxer - Tuesday, Jun 16, 2015 at 16:34

Tuesday, Jun 16, 2015 at 16:34
I have requested the repairer to install a smaller mesh behind the original one while he has the front of the car off. Hopefully that will prevent stone impacts from anything of the size to cause any damage.
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FollowupID: 842139

Reply By: Les - PK Ranger - Tuesday, Jun 16, 2015 at 16:43

Tuesday, Jun 16, 2015 at 16:43
Some of the design negatives are astounding on modern vehicles.

On a Wyperfeld trip, one of our crew had to bail in a Wrangler, the steering box on the RH side rubs on a coolant hose, and it developed a leak as we left Milmed Rock Tk at junction Purra Tk, very inconvenient for him.

The design is fine for LH drive, just they couldn't be bothered securing the hose away form the box when fitted to the other side.

Not sure if people here saw a recent problem a Grand Cherokee owner had when remote.
They stopped for a break, and on trying to restart, it wouldn't run, had a fault 'Low on essential fluid' or something like that.
He checked everything, motor oil, trans and diff, coolant, and nothing !
Finally checked windscreen washer bottle, and sure enough once filled it started !
(He had pulled up, used his washers / wipers to clean the screen, and must have used it all.)

Another (Pathfinder ?) had an issue with vehicle not starting out bush.
Finally got it with a blown brake light globe !!

Heaven forbid if you're out remote and something as silly as windscreen washer fluid or a brake light globe = someone stranded and at risk.
AnswerID: 556039

Follow Up By: Flighty ( WA ) - Tuesday, Jun 16, 2015 at 17:04

Tuesday, Jun 16, 2015 at 17:04
Similar occurance in my yard recently with a Volvo, owned by friends being low on washer fluid.
Took 3/4 hr to find the simple solution of topping it up.
It is a reality check though being the last thing to think of even after reading the manual in the glove box.
But it does highlight the issue as stated to innocent people stranded, with not a lot of mechanical knowledge.
My cruiser park brake light used to light up when turning (sometimes), and replaced switch in process of elimination only to find that all it required was 3 mm brake fluid in reservoir.
Not a cheap exercise , considering the cure.
cheers
Flighty

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Follow Up By: Member - Rosco from way back - Tuesday, Jun 16, 2015 at 17:17

Tuesday, Jun 16, 2015 at 17:17
Back in the days when I drove a Landy I recall the service manager telling me about a Rangie they had in with the ECU suffering from full blown dementia.

It turned out someone had replaced one of the interior lights with the incorrect wattage bulb.
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Reply By: aussiedingo (River Rina) - Tuesday, Jun 16, 2015 at 18:10

Tuesday, Jun 16, 2015 at 18:10
Just - Empty - Every - Pocket!
"the only thing constant in my life is change"




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AnswerID: 556045

Follow Up By: Member - Scott M (NSW) - Wednesday, Jun 17, 2015 at 17:25

Wednesday, Jun 17, 2015 at 17:25
Just - Enough - Engine - Parts ...
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Reply By: Shaker - Tuesday, Jun 16, 2015 at 19:44

Tuesday, Jun 16, 2015 at 19:44
As its impact damage, are you claiming on your insurance?

AnswerID: 556049

Follow Up By: Member - GrantBoxer - Tuesday, Jun 16, 2015 at 22:22

Tuesday, Jun 16, 2015 at 22:22
Yes, it is covered under the RAC insurance policy.
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FollowupID: 842168

Reply By: 8111COLIN - Tuesday, Jun 16, 2015 at 21:17

Tuesday, Jun 16, 2015 at 21:17
You cant claim stones hitting your car , however didn't you say you ran into a stick that punctured through the grill and into the condenser ?
Colin
AnswerID: 556051

Follow Up By: Les - PK Ranger - Tuesday, Jun 16, 2015 at 21:26

Tuesday, Jun 16, 2015 at 21:26
That's interesting, if a boulder or cricket ball size rock hit your car you'd be covered, I'm sure . . . wonder where an insurer would draw the line ?
(Probably anywhere to suit them I guess.)

Might be worth a call to them anyway to check.
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Follow Up By: Shaker - Wednesday, Jun 17, 2015 at 17:01

Wednesday, Jun 17, 2015 at 17:01
Isn't that how most windscreens get broken?
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Reply By: 8111COLIN - Tuesday, Jun 16, 2015 at 21:36

Tuesday, Jun 16, 2015 at 21:36
Great idea Grant , check out your excess amount and read the policy in regards to accidental damage etc.
AnswerID: 556053

Follow Up By: Member - GrantBoxer - Tuesday, Jun 16, 2015 at 22:23

Tuesday, Jun 16, 2015 at 22:23
Done, repairs being done tomorrow by RAC repairer.
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Reply By: 8111COLIN - Tuesday, Jun 16, 2015 at 21:38

Tuesday, Jun 16, 2015 at 21:38
Sorry I meant Les .
Colin
AnswerID: 556054

Reply By: Member - abqaiq - Wednesday, Jun 17, 2015 at 07:35

Wednesday, Jun 17, 2015 at 07:35
Sadly the "designers" don't think their crazy wiring is crazy and tie unassociated no consequence features to important things. We were in on the edge of the Rub Al Khali in Saudi starting to go home to Riyadh when the AC wouldn't work! Drove the whole last day with no AC in a bad sand storm [no open windows] at 45+C. Problem was the reverse switch on the transmission broke and that was connected to the AC control!
AnswerID: 556061

Reply By: Sigmund - Wednesday, Jun 17, 2015 at 10:17

Wednesday, Jun 17, 2015 at 10:17
A ScanGauge II is sposed to be able to clear DTCs or whatever they're called and so cancel immobilisation or limp-home modes. Haven't had a chance to test mine.
AnswerID: 556071

Reply By: TerraFirma - Wednesday, Jun 17, 2015 at 16:02

Wednesday, Jun 17, 2015 at 16:02
Just wondering how Jeep owners are fairing with the overall reliability of their vehicles, hearing a lot of stories but would like to hear honest owners verdicts? Would you buy another Jeep? Lot of people buying JEEPS today but many of them want something different to the Japanese offerings etc and are buying based on style and other attractions as opposed to perceived reliability from other brands.
AnswerID: 556079

Follow Up By: Michael H9 - Wednesday, Jun 17, 2015 at 18:54

Wednesday, Jun 17, 2015 at 18:54
I bought one 6 years ago. Daily driver for business but done a lot of tough tracks including desert and high country. I've flogged it really when I come to think of it. Cheap to run diesel, powerful and comfortable. I'm not going to buy another one because I want to try something different again. I'm glad I bought it and been a member of the Jeep club for a while.
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FollowupID: 842209

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