Started 2022 Gladiator - electronic throttle control light came on / sputtering during idle?

[Sigz]

Walked out from work this evening in 19 degree weather.

Turned the Jeep on and it seemed to have stuttered like it was about to lose power at idle and I saw the little red lightning bolt icon (I thought it was blinking but now I can't remember). It appeared the RPM meter was bouncing a bit at around 1 and 2...

Thinking it was something with the battery (it's been COLD in WI) - I put it in drive and started to accelerate and nothing else happened the rest of my 15min ride home.

Just now went out to garage to start it up, and no weird sputtering issue at idle.

What the heck was that?

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[MrGSquared]

Walked out from work this evening in 19 degree weather.

Turned the Jeep on and it seemed to have stuttered like it was about to lose power at idle and I saw the little red lightning bolt icon (I thought it was blinking but now I can't remember). It appeared the RPM meter was bouncing a bit at around 1 and 2...

Thinking it was something with the battery (it's been COLD in WI) - I put it in drive and started to accelerate and nothing else happened the rest of my 15min ride home.

Just now went out to garage to start it up, and no weird sputtering issue at idle.

What the heck was that?

Hey Sigz,

Do you normally park your Gladiator in a garage at nighttime or does it stay outside in the cold? How many miles? Any engine upgrades (intake, etc)?

I personally know of a higher mileage Gladiator (75k+ miles) with an aftermarket intake system that suffered similar issues as you in cold weather. It ended up having a lot of gunk/dirt built up around the edge of the butterfly flap and was sticky. It ran pretty rough and that lightning bolt icon the dash popped up. Once it had been warmed up and restarted, the issue never returned. A cleaning of the throttle body was done and no issues since.

I have also seen some cases where the gas pedal position sensor goes wonky and stops sensing properly, triggering rough running and that beloved icon - It's a $30-40 part to replace last I checked. It's not always the culprit though. Hope this helps in some way!

 

[Sigz]

Thanks for the reply.

Since this episode - it hasn't happened again.

Not sure what was up with it but I usually park my Gladiator in a garage at nighttime (other then when I'm working at the hospital overnight it sits out in an open lot).

It is a brand new 22 Sport S with 2300 miles on the clock. No upgrades (other than tires/wheels).

 

[Sigz]

So again - random, but tonight it happened again.

I walked out from work - turned the engine over, and it seemed to have a rough idle and the engine quit running.

I started it over again, the engine turned over, and it continued to have that "I'm about to die again" until I put it in drive and then the sputter went away.

What's different this time is the the electronic throttle control light didn't come on...

Have no clue what's going on... But I'm a little nervous that my 22 3.6L could potentially have a problem and/or leave me stranded somewhere since it's so rare/random.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

So again - random, but tonight it happened again.

I walked out from work - turned the engine over, and it seemed to have a rough idle and the engine quit running.

I started it over again, the engine turned over, and it continued to have that "I'm about to die again" until I put it in drive and then the sputter went away.

What's different this time is the the electronic throttle control light didn't come on...

Have no clue what's going on... But I'm a little nervous that my 22 3.6L could potentially have a problem and/or leave me stranded somewhere since it's so rare/random.

Is there a reason to not take it to a dealer to have them check for codes - both stored/permanent and otherwise?

No MIL? Did the MIL flash at all? Any beeping?

For the prior throttle control light issue -

 

[Sigz]

Is there a reason to not take it to a dealer to have them check for codes - both stored/permanent and otherwise?

No MIL? Did the MIL flash at all? Any beeping?

For the prior throttle control light issue -

There was no MIL or check engine light, or any beeping...

I haven't had a chance yet to get to the dealer...

I do have an upcoming first oil change Feb 9th that I will mention it.

It seemed like one of those "gremlins" that sorta came and went away. As you can seem from the OP, it's been a long time since it happened until tonight...

 

[Clancyarn]

Had this happen to me. I don't have a garage and this 2021 Mojave started and ran fine when it was 37 below a month ago. This last Thursday and Friday it was 35 and raining until the cold front hit, lots of snow and -6 Saturday. Started it to run to the store and it was non responsive, as in 5 miles an hour, looked at dash and multiple lights were on. Limped it back up the driveway, looked in manual and the red lightning bolt, Electronic Throttle Control caught my attention. I shut it down, tried again an hour later same results. They towed it to dealer Monday and this morning I got the call from the dealer. This is a known problem with this throttle body or whatever and the motor, Jeep is aware and no fix (recall yet). I guess it was a perfect storm, they said more that likely frozen do to high humidity Thursday, Friday the the sudden drop in temps. I hope Jeep gets this remedied quickly or I'm going back to a Tacoma....Not acceptable at all.

 

[Gladiator Overland]

Had this happen to me. I don't have a garage and this 2021 Mojave started and ran fine when it was 37 below a month ago. This last Thursday and Friday it was 35 and raining until the cold front hit, lots of snow and -6 Saturday. Started it to run to the store and it was non responsive, as in 5 miles an hour, looked at dash and multiple lights were on. Limped it back up the driveway, looked in manual and the red lightning bolt, Electronic Throttle Control caught my attention. I shut it down, tried again an hour later same results. They towed it to dealer Monday and this morning I got the call from the dealer. This is a known problem with this throttle body or whatever and the motor, Jeep is aware and no fix (recall yet). I guess it was a perfect storm, they said more that likely frozen do to high humidity Thursday, Friday the the sudden drop in temps. I hope Jeep gets this remedied quickly or I'm going back to a Tacoma....Not acceptable at all.

Would you please share what Jeep dod to fix the issue for you? Thanks. I have the same issues. Did your abs lights and tractions control light up as well?

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