Gladiator "dead" half-way around the globe

[Alpine Warthog]

That insulation is corn based not petroleum based. Therefore very enticing to rodents of all types if left sitting.

CORN?????? Is this another level of planned obsolescence? Of all the stupid, asking for trouble things I've ever heard of....

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[DylanM]

CORN?????? Is this another level of planned obsolescence? Of all the stupid, asking for trouble things I've ever heard of....

I haven't heard of corn-based wire insulation, but soy-based is a real thing (and rather common).
https://www.motorverso.com/which-cars-have-soy-based-wiring/

 

[PuddleJumper]

CORN?????? Is this another level of planned obsolescence? Of all the stupid, asking for trouble things I've ever heard of....

yeah they started doing that like almost a decade a go too. When E85 came out everybody went on a corn sub craze. Some things stuck, like wire insulation.

 

[Alpine Warthog]

I haven't heard of corn-based wire insulation, but soy-based is a real thing (and rather common).
https://www.motorverso.com/which-cars-have-soy-based-wiring/

yeah they started doing that like almost a decade a go too. When E85 came out everybody went on a corn sub craze. Some things stuck, like wire insulation.

That's so crazy... Does it work just as good? I must not know enough because that seems counter intuitive to make insulation out of something edible...

 

[PuddleJumper]

That's so crazy... Does it work just as good? I must not know enough because that seems counter intuitive to make insulation out of something edible...

I mean it works alright i guess. But I bet it will still be prone to dry rot. TBH i think it was just a "going green" thing.

 

[FlyingDutchman]

Any update OP?

 

[Tim Hall]

Any update OP?

My Gladiator was towed 900 km. The Jeep dealership started troubleshooting a few days ago, and they currently believe the steering column lock (68292350AB) is faulty. Unfortunately, they don’t have the part in stock in Thailand, and it would take about 3 months for delivery from their source. I asked a Jeep technician if I could remove the lock, but it doesn’t seem possible.

I found a replacement in the Middle East, and I hope it will arrive in Thailand within 7-10 days without any issues from customs. In the meantime, I’ve asked the dealership to continue troubleshooting to ensure they don’t miss anything else.

I’ll keep you updated.

 

[smlobx]

My Gladiator was towed 900 km. The Jeep dealership started troubleshooting a few days ago, and they currently believe the steering column lock (68292350AB) is faulty. Unfortunately, they don’t have the part in stock in Thailand, and it would take about 3 months for delivery from their source. I asked a Jeep technician if I could remove the lock, but it doesn’t seem possible.

I found a replacement in the Middle East, and I hope it will arrive in Thailand within 7-10 days without any issues from customs. In the meantime, I’ve asked the dealership to continue troubleshooting to ensure they don’t miss anything else.

I’ll keep you updated.

Sorry for the issues you are having. It looks like the part you need is available online if that helps…

https://www.moparpartsgiant.com/par...year=2020&submodel=&extra1=&extra2=&filter=()

or.

https://parts.moparonlineparts.com/oem-parts/mopar-module-68292350ac?c=cT02ODI5MjM1MEFC

 

[Tim Hall]

Sorry for the issues you are having. It looks like the part you need is available online if that helps…

https://www.moparpartsgiant.com/par...year=2020&submodel=&extra1=&extra2=&filter=()

or.

https://parts.moparonlineparts.com/oem-parts/mopar-module-68292350ac?c=cT02ODI5MjM1MEFC

Thanks Eddie. And don't worry, it's all part of this kind of trip. First serious problem since starting the trip in Saudi Arabia 40'000km ago. We cross some of the world's largest deserts in the Middle East, a few "war zones" and then some of the world's highest passes in the Himalayas at over 18'000ft. I think we're pretty lucky so far and can accept being stuck for a few days/weeks in Asia

Thanks for the link! I found a Mopar distributor in the Middle East (Dubai) who got the part. Hope the shipping and clearance will not take too long. I will keep the thread updated if the issue is fix.

 

[Tim Hall]

After waiting for 20 days for the steering lock module, the technician installed it, but it didn't solve the problem.

The technician checked a few other things and now tells me the BCM is broken, and I need a new one. Unfortunately, they don’t have any in stock in Thailand.

This situation is getting crazy. I don’t have much confidence in their diagnostics, especially since they only have one Jeep technician in the country, and it doesn’t seem like they’ve spent a lot of time on my car.

What should I check before ordering a new BCM?

I'm getting realy mad about the situation, i'm gonna take a fly to the islands to cool down for the next few days-weeks.

 

[DylanM]

Not saying for certain that the BCM is the problem, but it is plausible. Before calling the BCM bad I would check that it is getting its proper power inputs and ground connections, and do what checks are possible on the CAN bus given the current state of operation of the vehicle.

Notes:
- The RF hub sounds like it's working based on the fact the vehicle locks respond to key fob lock/unlock commands.
- The KIN (keyless ignition node, aka, the ignition switch) may be suspect as it's unclear whether or not you're getting any response whatsoever when depressing the button, though it is clear that you're at least not getting any change in the status LEDs (Off/ACC/Run).
- The BCM is the component that controls the ESL and also coordinates with the PCM to actually put the vehicle into the Off/ACC/Run modes as well as operate the starting system based on inputs from the KIN and RF hub.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

sorry to hear this man. But I'm with you on the rodents thing. Jeeps are made with synthetic insulation protecting all of its wire. That insulation is corn based not petroleum based. Therefore very enticing to rodents of all types if left sitting. On the Brightside, Thankfully your Jeep hasn't caught fire like some do when suffering similar issues. cough cough 4xE cough. Hopefully they'll get ya sorted.

Not corn based, and it doesn't matter anyway, mice will eat any of the insulation, no matter the material. Proof is in the classics I've worked on, our heat pump system, and more. They'll chew any wire insulation regardless of what the base of it is.

What people seem to believe is that if it's based on soy, or whatever, there's a good taste to it. It won't taste or smell like soy.
Doesn't matter what it's made from, mice and other rodents will chew on it. Soy-based doesn't taste any better or different to them. Taste isn't the reason anyway.

 

[KX L]

How frustrating. So impressed by your attitude and awareness of how to trouble shoot.

Just from reading the this forum semi regularly, it seems like most times the batteries die and need to be replaced there are follow on electrical problems.

While I've replaced dozens of motorcycle and vehicle batteries I wasn't willing to even try with the Gladiator due to fear I'd F^& it up.

Lucky for me when it happened after an extended absence my tow was less than 20 miles and the Jeep dealership has tons of experience with this issue so I had zero issues. Even better was they replaced the battery under warranty---which they absolutely did not need to do as I have many electrical items I've added to the Jeep.

 

[DylanM]

@Tim Hall
Any updates?

 

[Tim Hall]

@Tim Hall
Any updates?

The BCM that I order by myself arrived two weeks ago, but it didn't seem to solve the issue.

After a lot of discussion with Stellantis international, they will finally make a remote diagnosis with the team at jeep Thailand, because the jeep is still under extended warranty. (I don't know when, nobody seem to want this issue resolved)

It's was clear to me that 3 months ago that the jeep service center didn't have the competency to solve the issues, but it take so long before Stellantis accept to take care of the situation.

I had to leave the country because my visa was ending after 3 months. I'm currently riding a tuktutk in Srilanka. I really hope to get my jeep back before EOY.

I try to move on and not be totally desperate but the situation is really annoying and it affects me a lot.

Nobody at Jeep Thailand or Stellantis international seem to understand that my Jeep is my only home currently, and is also my life long dream.

I will keep you posted if they find the issue one day.

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