US investigating 781K Jeeps over underhood fire reports (Wrangler & Gladiator) -- power steering pump electrical connector issue

[LouisvEarlleJT]

Wellp, my truck is staying out of the garage until more info on this comes out. Took a look and my wires seem to be fine but don’t want to take any chances.

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[ShadowsPapa]

Watch the video, (@ 10 minutes in) the pump has 2 different plugs going into it, both plugs looks like they have multiple wires. 1 plugs is much bigger then the other and i would assume that is the high current plug. Looks like the big plug is using some 8ga wire, positive and negative. 8ga wire is pretty big to be running off a relay. So my guess is the smaller wires send control signals to the pump and there is a solenoid/relay in it that then pulls the big power from the 2 8ga wires.

That is why I thought it might be operating like a starter, and also explain why they catch fire when parked and off.

Yeah, I was too into ANW and didn't even think about what I already knew. I just didn't give it any thought before posting that - I knew better.

The EHPS is powered by a 125 amp leg of the high current fuse array so pretty much ignore what I said before - likely power to the pump at all times, and that's a big wire.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Good question. I’m guessing parts shortages in 21 changed the wiring harness setup.

It maybe fused, the z fuse has a lot of bigger wires going to it, maybe that big positive cable traces back to the z-fuse?

Yes. The EHPS pump is powered via the 125 amp leg of the high current fuse.
I was watching ANW and rooting for my faves, not paying attention.

 

[rharr]

Yeah, I was too into ANW and didn't even think about what I already knew. I just didn't give it any thought before posting that - I knew better.

The EHPS is powered by a 125 amp leg of the high current fuse array so pretty much ignore what I said before - likely power to the pump at all times, and that's a big wire.

That's a lot of juice to just sit on top of a hot motor casing with just some flex wrap......

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Good question. I’m guessing parts shortages in 21 changed the wiring harness setup.

That's a big fuse handling that - 125 amp - maybe it's an issue with chafing or heat?
I think we all need to check that area.

this is worrisome to say the least. Mine is parked by a fully restored, irreplaceable classic and a very expensive 4xe along with an expensive lawn tractor and a shitload of classic car parts.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

That's a lot of juice to just sit on top of a hot motor casing with just some flex wrap......

Yeah, think of the heat around those cats, the rubbing or chafing, the heat.......... this will be interesting. And if a mouse decides to chew on wires, you have that big roughly 8 gauge wire, hot with power, and a 125 amp fuse unlikely to blow before things burn.

 

[jjdustr340]

That's a big fuse handling that - 125 amp - maybe it's an issue with chafing or heat?
I think we all need to check that area.

this is worrisome to say the least. Mine is parked by a fully restored, irreplaceable classic and a very expensive 4xe along with an expensive lawn tractor and a shitload of classic car parts.

May be advisable to take an up to date photo of everything in the garage, just in case.
Hope it's not needed, but it would sure help with an insurance claim.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

May be advisable to take an up to date photo of everything in the garage, just in case.
Hope it's not needed, but it would sure help with an insurance claim.

Good idea. I'll do a video and some pics tomorrow.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Yeah, think of the heat around those cats, the rubbing or chafing, the heat.......... this will be interesting. And if a mouse decides to chew on wires, you have that big roughly 8 gauge wire, hot with power, and a 125 amp fuse unlikely to blow before things burn.

Is 8awg really large enough for 125amp in dc? It’s not even close to large enough for that amperage in ac.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Is 8awg really large enough for 125amp in dc? It’s not even close to large enough for that amperage in ac.

I'm beginning to question the size of the fuse vs. the size of the wire.........

 

[21Mojave24XR]

Well I’ll be keeping my eyes on this

 

[whysoserious]

Is 8awg really large enough for 125amp in dc? It’s not even close to large enough for that amperage in ac.

I believe 8awg ampacity is about 1/3 of that fuse. However, it's been a while.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I believe 8awg ampacity is about 1/3 of that fuse. However, it's been a while.

With ac, depending on distance of course, 8awg is rated for 40-60amp circuits I believe. It makes me want to find out the amp rating for the wire that goes to the pump alone, and add a fuse to that wire.

 

[whysoserious]

With ac, depending on distance of course, 8awg is rated for 40-60amp circuits I believe. It makes me want to find out the amp rating for the wire that goes to the pump alone, and add a fuse to that wire.

Yeah, distance, temp, voltage drop... 150 amps is a lot of flow for 8awg. There's no way that pump is pulling 150amps.

 

[bgott]

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9 incidents out of 781,459 vehicles...

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