Jeep Troubleshooting 101
Most Jeep enthusiasts love their rigs and tinkering around and jeep troubleshooting is a fun way to pass time. If there is anything that could match the excitement of a trail run, it is probably tuning up their Jeep.
Jeep troubleshooting while plain fun for most can actually be a major asset. Troubleshooting is not something you can learn in a day or even ten. It comes from years of experience driving different Jeeps and in varying conditions.
Troubleshooting is a great help when you are off-roading. Often times you may be on overnight trips and it would be really difficult if not practically impossible to find a mechanic on one of the 4x4 trails.
If you are lucky there will be other off-roaders along the same trail that would be willing to help you. However, a willingness to help does not necessarily mean they would have the knowledge required.
One of best and easiest ways to troubleshoot your jeep is by using an OBD Auto Scanner. I picked up my OBD II AutoScanner™ online for about $250. While that might be a little spendy for some, mine has paid for itself time and time again.
One of the best things about this scanner is that it not only gives you the error code, it tells you exactly what is wrong with your jeep. No more having to sift through a bunch of codes in a book to try and find out what is wrong.
In the video below I show you how easy it is to use the OBD II AutoScanner™ and how it tells you the problem right on the screen.
Another good way for troubleshooting problems for your jeep is to use troubleshooting software that helps you diagnosis problems by asking a series of questions.
The one I use is called AutoTech and it’s very easy to use. It covers over 600 models and covers the years 1983 through 2013 as of this writing.
The following video slide show will show how Auto Tech walks you through step by step to diagnos any problems you are having with your jeep.
You can download AutoTech here http://www.metacog.com/ at the very affordable price of $14.95.
An absolute must have resource when troubleshooting are good repair manuals and detailed diagrams. The resource that I use is ALLDATAdiy.comThey have professional-quality "Step-by-Step" repair instructions and detailed diagrams for your jeep.
If you have been Jeep troubleshooting for some time or at least gathering as much knowledge as you can, then you are definitely an asset on any trail run. And if you have been troubleshooting long enough, you also probably know that most often the solution is something really simple.
Here are some things to check at the top of your list when Jeep troubleshooting.
- Check the air filter. Hold it up to light and if you can't see through it, throw it away and replace it.
- Loss of power and stalling are two common complaints that are often related to the fuel filter malfunctioning.
- If the Jeep won't start check the battery. The question you ask should not be "Does it crank?" but "Does the battery voltage stay high enough when it cranks for the fuel pump to run on?"
These are just a few tips to keep in mind when Jeep troubleshooting. The number of things that could actually go wrong could form a thesis!
Another effective way to get good at troubleshooting is to use service manuals. Following a logical step-by-step procedure for troubleshooting will get you to the root of the problem quickly and efficiently.
You may also want to have a small test kit stored on your rig to
check circuits and voltage if you plan to be good at troubleshooting.
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Be sure to check for any Jeep Recalls that could be causing your problems.
Here are a few tips when doing your own Electrical
Troubleshooting
Also if you are going to be working on your wiring, make sure you have a
Jeep-Wiring-Diagram in hand.
If you want to keep your jeep running smoothly, be sure to perform these simple Jeep Repairs
A Jeep Owner's Manual is indispensable for any Jeeper who care about his or her rig.
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