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Driver's Door Electrical Connection

NaughtyGeek

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I wish more people would refuse to pay to fix this. It is clearly a defect in the design and if they can get away with not fixing it on their dime they will. I elevated my case and was told to pound sand by FCA because the dealer claimed outside influence. Why in the world would I pay them to put the same flawed design back in? I'm waiting to get the time to replace them on my own and when that happens I'll provide alternate part numbers and maybe a write up. Just bear in mind that everyone who agrees to pay for the repair is one less reason FCA has to actually fix the issue. This is not directed at anyone in this thread, just want to make the point for anyone else who suffers from this obvious design flaw. @JeepCares , yeah right, tell that to everyone getting screwed over this.
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eaglerugby04

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I wish more people would refuse to pay to fix this. It is clearly a defect in the design and if they can get away with not fixing it on their dime they will. I elevated my case and was told to pound sand by FCA because the dealer claimed outside influence. Why in the world would I pay them to put the same flawed design back in? I'm waiting to get the time to replace them on my own and when that happens I'll provide alternate part numbers and maybe a write up. Just bear in mind that everyone who agrees to pay for the repair is one less reason FCA has to actually fix the issue. This is not directed at anyone in this thread, just want to make the point for anyone else who suffers from this obvious design flaw. @JeepCares , yeah right, tell that to everyone getting screwed over this.
I don't understand how this could be your issue at all. It seems like a major QC issue on FCAs side. Like they do all kinds of tests on hinges, water intrusion, etc. But then never did some as simple as unplug and plug in this connector a few thousand times.

@JeepCares really needs to look at this. It seems to becoming a larger issue and is an advertised feature of the vehicle that is failing. Mopar even sells tube doors proving that they endorse the removal of the doors.
 
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jonaandcaleb

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I just want to enjoy my JT with the doors off without fear of “is it going to work” when I put them back on. Turns a quick 15 min job to an hour job of troubleshooting if everything doesn’t get connected just right. Again that’s the point of a Jeep is topless/doorless driving? Otherwise it’s just like any other truck out there. Would love some acknowledgement from @JeepCares that there is an issue and it’s not just from people inserting the connection incorrectly.
 

atxatxatx

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I just want to enjoy my JT with the doors off without fear of “is it going to work” when I put them back on. Turns a quick 15 min job to an hour job of troubleshooting if everything doesn’t get connected just right. Again that’s the point of a Jeep is topless/doorless driving? Otherwise it’s just like any other truck out there. Would love some acknowledgement from @JeepCares that there is an issue and it’s not just from people inserting the connection incorrectly.
Yea, I spent about 40 mins yesterday troubleshooting the door harness connectors to get BSM functioning again. It's a terrible fragile design for the connectors, having pins being misalligned is ridiculous. @JeepCares
 

DronePilot

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I'll be removing my doors again next week, but before connecting any plugs will apply a thin coat of lubricant to all connectors. Like you guys thats the main reason why I got a Jeep. So I'll be doing a lot of driving without top & doors, hopefully FCA will do a recall on the plugs.
 

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eaglerugby04

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I have been thinking about this. Would it make sense for me to not reconnect the plugs everytime I attach the doors? Is the act of plugging/unplugging causing issues?. or would I be more likely to damage them hanging loose in the car?

I thought about it, im the only driver so mirrors never get adjusted. I really don't need to lock it since it is preped for doorless mode pretty much 99% of the time. Its a soft top anyways so locking isn't that useful. Really all locking does is prevent easier theft of the doors.
 

NaughtyGeek

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@eaglerugby04 , it's tough to say as we really don't know why the pins are getting messed up to begin with. I assume it's happening when the plug is being assembled but for all I know the pins bend if they're unplugged and it's warmer than 100 degrees or something whacky like that. You will lose the ability to lower the windows if you have electric and the interior lights won't come on in the dark but that may be no burden for you. Only you know the level of irritation that will be caused not having the connection.
 

jurfie

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...kind of straightened just a little bit and WALLA everything its working now.
As one of the resident Canadians on this forum (I'm sorry), I must point out that the term is "VOILA".

;)
 

eaglerugby04

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@eaglerugby04 , it's tough to say as we really don't know why the pins are getting messed up to begin with. I assume it's happening when the plug is being assembled but for all I know the pins bend if they're unplugged and it's warmer than 100 degrees or something whacky like that. You will lose the ability to lower the windows if you have electric and the interior lights won't come on in the dark but that may be no burden for you. Only you know the level of irritation that will be caused not having the connection.
Man it would be nice to know the true cause. So far it seems pretty random.

Thats true about the windows, other than that it would be business as usual since I am so used to not having the doors things like lights coming on would actually be strange for me. lol
 

JeepCares

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I wish more people would refuse to pay to fix this. It is clearly a defect in the design and if they can get away with not fixing it on their dime they will. I elevated my case and was told to pound sand by FCA because the dealer claimed outside influence. Why in the world would I pay them to put the same flawed design back in? I'm waiting to get the time to replace them on my own and when that happens I'll provide alternate part numbers and maybe a write up. Just bear in mind that everyone who agrees to pay for the repair is one less reason FCA has to actually fix the issue. This is not directed at anyone in this thread, just want to make the point for anyone else who suffers from this obvious design flaw. @JeepCares , yeah right, tell that to everyone getting screwed over this.
Hello there @NaughtyGeek
We certainly would like to see this be remedied to your satisfaction. Our team works hand in hand with our engineering and brand teams to report developing vehicle concerns in order to pursue further research. If you would like to open a case with our team, we would be happy to escalate your concerns to a specialist for further assistance alongside your dealer.

Kathryn
JeepCares
I just want to enjoy my JT with the doors off without fear of “is it going to work” when I put them back on. Turns a quick 15 min job to an hour job of troubleshooting if everything doesn’t get connected just right. Again that’s the point of a Jeep is topless/doorless driving? Otherwise it’s just like any other truck out there. Would love some acknowledgement from @JeepCares that there is an issue and it’s not just from people inserting the connection incorrectly.
Hi @jonaandcaleb
We certainly would like to see you enjoying your Jeep, as well! If you intend to work with your dealer in the future, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team for additional support.

Kathryn
JeepCares
Yea, I spent about 40 mins yesterday troubleshooting the door harness connectors to get BSM functioning again. It's a terrible fragile design for the connectors, having pins being misalligned is ridiculous. @JeepCares
Hello, please know that our team is here to offer additional dealer support in the case of any future appointment you may have. Please send us a private message if you find that you would like to address this concern with your dealer.

Kathryn
JeepCares
I'll be removing my doors again next week, but before connecting any plugs will apply a thin coat of lubricant to all connectors. Like you guys thats the main reason why I got a Jeep. So I'll be doing a lot of driving without top & doors, hopefully FCA will do a recall on the plugs.
Hello there, we certainly understand how this may be concerning. Please send our team a private message for assistance alongside your dealer in resolving any concerns you are facing with your door function.

Kathryn
JeepCares
 

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NaughtyGeek

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@JeepCares , that's exactly the issue. I elevated my case to Cairs via the 800 number and what I got in return was a sales pitch from my "representative" telling me how benevolent FCA was offering to do a good will repair for "only" $200. This problem is not a case of customer abuse, it is not outside influence, it is an engineering issue and I'll be damned if I'm going to pay to have the same broken parts put back in my truck. If FCA wants to pay to replace it with the same faulty part, good on them. But I'm not going to pay because me and people in the same situation as me paying to fix it keeps FCA from having to do so. Why pay to reengineer broke parts if the customer is dumb enough to pay to keep replacing them? That's not good will, it's customer abuse and I will continue to say so every time this comes up. And it will continue to come up.
 

Higher_Ground

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My 2 cents -

I think the connector is bending the pins when you remove it from the lever.

I say this because I double checked before reattaching them, and the pins were already bent. I can only assume they were straight from the factory, and I didn't attempt to reconnect it until I bent them back straight.

I would have to really carefully remove it and see if they were bent again to be sure, but like the rest of y'all, I'm a little hesitant to remove them again right now.

This was a real eye-opener to me. As much fun as I had with the doors off, I certainly can't afford a possible $2000 repair job if they all broke.

---------

Question: Does the male connector just pull off with a little force or is there something else I need to do? I don't really want to contort myself anymore if I can just leave it disconnected.

I also considered just not reconnecting it (I leave the back window disconnected sometimes) but then I would be stuck with the windows down since that's how I take them off. Not the end of the world, but probably defeats the purpose of putting the doors back on. If the pins break, I figure that's the boat I'll be in.
 

Shootist

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I agree that the connector design could be redone to be much more resilient. If you are very careful and gentle with the connector the likelihood of having an issue is reduced but for regularly disconnecting and reconnecting the doors a much better connector could be used. Something more like a molex type connector or a weatherpack style connector would have been a better option.
 
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jonaandcaleb

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@eaglerugby04

For me, I have too much stuff that needs to be connected; proximity key, Blind Spot, Power Windows, locks, mirrors etc. However, if you don't have that stuff, and you are ok with the stuff that's not hooked up not working then you could leave it alone, especially if you are like going to drive it a day or two with the doors on (for weather as an example) then take them back off. I do this with the connection for the top for the rear defrost, which is know for breaking too. I never connect it back until i know it's going to be on for the colder season.
 
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jonaandcaleb

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@Higher_Ground I assuming you are talking about the harness that is attached to the side panel, correct? If remember correctly, it just slides. I can’t remember if it was up or down. I got my drivers side off and I just leave it off when connected. It aids in making a better connection.
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