2002 Liberty not running

Tiny
TTHOMAS0918
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 JEEP LIBERTY
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 91 MILES
2002 jeep liberty 3.7L V6. Never had any problems with it regular maintance is always done. Went to go start it after parking it for only 30minutes and it hesitated to start but then started. Well then before I could get out of the parking lot it died again and wouldn't start. We were in a hurry to leave so we just left it and took my husbands car. Well now we have replaced the fuel filer because it was acting like it was starved for fuel. Well that didn't work so we replaced the crank shaft sensor, and spark plugs. Dip stick came up dry for some reason so we did a oil change, although we realized there was oil in it. Well now it wont really start. It has power lights come on power doors, windows work but when you go to turn it over it clicks once and looses all power. Well the battery is 3 months old. So we ran a at home diagnosis on it and it came back as the 02 sensors once even though we ran the test several times. It came back as bank 2 sensor 1 and bank 2 sensor 2. Well we have had several opinions on it and we think it could possibly be the ignition coils, 02 Sensors and the starter and the alternator. I was wondering if anyone had any other ideas on what it may be, just to get some more opinions. Also I forgot to mention after starting it after if first died it has a REALLY rough idle at 700-800rpms and makes a very loud noise, both of which haven't gotten any better. Even better when you hit throttle down at 3000rpms car would be fine but as soon as you release the gas pedal the car dies. Any ideas?
Saturday, January 1st, 2011 AT 11:47 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,055 POSTS
Okay. You described several things to me here. I need to get more specifics. When the problem first started, did you actually check the fuel pump pressure? Were you getting a good hot blue snapping spark from the plugs?

Also, you mentioned that when you hit the key, now, it clicks and loses all power. That sounds like a bad ground (engine block) or a loose battery cable. Check that.

Can you describe the noise you are hearing? And also, even though the battery is newer, have you checked to make sure it has a full charge?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, January 2nd, 2011 AT 12:03 AM
Tiny
TTHOMAS0918
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
It happened Christmas eve and hasn't ran since. My husband thinks its ignition coils 1&3 as far as I know he didnt check the fuel pump pressure. Theres no spark on the spark plug. Hes having the alternator checked right now I will have him check the battery charge as soon as hes done with that. The sound was just a duh duh duh duh like it was mis-fireing. Thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, January 2nd, 2011 AT 12:10 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,055 POSTS
If there is no spark, that is the problem. Let me know what you find out about the coils. Also, has he checked the crank sensor?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, January 2nd, 2011 AT 11:00 PM
Tiny
TTHOMAS0918
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
The coils were bad so we replaced them. And we just replaced the crank shaft sensor. We had the battery checked, and it was bad. We bought it 7 months ago refurbished and one of the guys said that could of caused the spark plugs and ignition coils to go bad. Well now we have a new one and it still wont turn over now it just gives one click when you try to turn it over and nothing happens. So now he believes its the starter/solenoid. And the alternator came back fine. Thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 3rd, 2011 AT 4:04 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,055 POSTS
Okay. Before replacing anything, I need you to check something. Have a helper turn the key to the start position while you check for voltage to the smaller wire on the starter. If you are getting 12+ volts to it, then the starter is most likely the cause. If you are not, then there is another problem.

I will admit, the one click sounds like the starter, but it could be the cause of a bad ground too.

Check that and let me know what you find. Also, a weak battery didn't cause the coils to go bad.

Let me know what you find.
Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 3rd, 2011 AT 12:41 PM
Tiny
TTHOMAS0918
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
The starter is good, I dont really know what else could be wrong. On a limb we relpaced the ignition switch because it was brought up that is may be bad. Well thats not the problem.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, January 7th, 2011 AT 12:06 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,055 POSTS
Did you try my test? Is the starter turning the engine over?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Friday, January 7th, 2011 AT 4:38 AM
Tiny
TTHOMAS0918
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
So I dont typically take advice from my father(mechanic) or step father big wig at some shop for GM. Because they tend to try and out do eachother and always end up costing me hundreds of dollars with their "this is it for sure" ideas. But my step dad was talking to my husband and he went through everything that has been done the noises its making and how its acting or lack there of and said he said it sounds like the timing chains which is the most expensive possible problem we have come across. My question is does that sound like it could be a possibility and if so how can we tell if that is the issue and if it is the issue do we have to remove the motor to do it? Thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, January 7th, 2011 AT 4:41 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,055 POSTS
Oh boy. Don't get me in the middle of a family issue (lol). Anything is possible. At that mileage, a chain usually isn't the problem. Timing belt, yes, chain, no. Don't tell them I said that. By the way, you don't need to remove the engine for the timing chain.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Friday, January 7th, 2011 AT 8:59 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Engine Not Running Content

Car Cranking but Not Starting? Try This
VIDEO
Car Cranking but Not Starting? Try This
In­struc­tional re­pair video
Engine Not Starting
GUIDE
Engine Not Starting
Over the past 20 years at 2CarPros we have iden­ti­fied the top prob­lems that are eas­ily fixed. This guide can save you a trip to the re­pair garage or call­ing a tow truck and...
VIEW MORE