1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Stalls

JEEP CHEROKEE
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PADAIR
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1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 164,000 - I understand if you don't want to answer this question. However, I put my jeep into one repair shop with the following problem: car cuts off while driving, sometimes doesnt' start, I have seen the gas gauge lowered during these events. This car shop said it was my water pump and I had it replaced. Problem, however, continued. I have taken it to a different car shop who now says it is the fuel pump. From what I have read in this forum and others this is a reasonable diagnosis. I don't see the water pump in this forum as a potential problem with they sypmtoms above. My question is, Is it reasonable to complain at the previous shop?
Dec 23, 2006 at 10:17 AM
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HYKNRD
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Complaining sounds more than reasonable to me. Might not help the matter,but might make you feel better.
A water pump can sieze and cause other problems, but I don't think the ones you mentioned. Your pump may have been leaking, but I would question any mechanic that diagnosed a no-start/stall condition as being a faulty water pump.
Dec 23, 2006 at 11:10 AM
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SERVICE WRITER
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I would recommend finding a shop you trust and stick with them. Too many cooks spoil the broth.
Ask the first shop why the replaced the pump. If it was because it was leaking, then have them explain how it had anything to do with the performance problem. IF it was their diagnosis for the performance problem, I would ask for my money back or how it could be related. I wouldn't be afraid to ask the 2nd shop for help by having them calling the first garage for info.
Dec 23, 2006 at 2:01 PM
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BOB WILSON
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ASK THE MECHANIC AT THE SECOND SHOP TO VERIFY THAT YOU DO INDEED HAVE A NEW WATER PUMP. SOUNDS LIKE THE 1ST MECHANIC MAY HAVE SOLD YOU DOWN THE RIVER.
BACK TO YOUR PROBLEM. THE REASON THE GAS GAUGE DROPS WHEN YOU ARE EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM IS THE SENDING UNIT IS PART OF THE PUMP AND RUNS OFF THE SAME WIRES THAT POWER THE PUMP. YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO HEAR YOUR PUMP ENGAGE WHEN YOU 1ST TURN YOUR KEY, BUT BEFORE YOUR STARTER ENGAGES THE ENGINE. NO PUMP WHINE, THEN IT IS A FUSE IN THE CONTROL CENTER, THE FUEL PUMP RELAY, OR THE PUMP ITSELF.
Dec 28, 2006 at 1:25 PM
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SERVICE WRITER
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Forgive me If I'm wrong or off base, I never try to embarass anyone, as I make my share of well intended but wrong statements.

The wiring, although in the same harness are not related to each other. That is the fuel level sensor is powered by a light blue/yellow wire and grounded with a black/ light blue wire. The fuel pump module is grounded with a back wire and poweredwith a darkgreen/black wire. Therefore a problem to one will not necessarlily affect the other.

Kindly correct me if I am off base on that. :)
Dec 29, 2006 at 2:12 PM
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BOB WILSON
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DEAR SERVICE WRITER,
THANKS FOR THE CORRECTION. I WAS WRONG. I THOUGHT I REMEMBERED SOME VEHICLES HAVING THE POWER TO THE FUEL PUMP ALSO POWER THE FUEL GAUGE.
Dec 30, 2006 at 9:58 AM
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SERVICE WRITER
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Part of the reason I get involved in this forum is to learn. There are so many differences from one to another it is mindpboggling! :roll:

I wonder what ever happened to padair or how he made out?

Happy new year BOB.
Dec 30, 2006 at 1:42 PM
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Suggested Repair

A water pump is unlikely to cause stalling or no-start. Ask the first shop why it was replaced and request a refund if it was their diagnosis for the performance problem. Have a trusted shop confirm the new pump was installed, listen for fuel-pump prime at key-on, and check the fuel-pump fuse, relay, and pump. On this Jeep the fuel-level sensor uses separate wiring, so a gauge drop does not by itself prove the pump circuit failed.

Conversation Summary

A 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 164,000 miles stalls while driving, sometimes will not start, and the fuel gauge drops during those events. The first shop replaced the water pump, but the problem continued; a second shop diagnosed the fuel pump. Contributors said a water pump would not explain these symptoms and suggested questioning that diagnosis. One reply linked the gauge drop to shared pump wiring and advised checking for pump prime, then the fuse, relay, or pump. An expert corrected that the fuel-level sensor and pump have separate power and ground wires, so a problem with one does not necessarily affect the other.

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