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

[WILDHOBO]

9 incidents out of 781,459 vehicles...

Yeah. I’m not running around in circles screaming yet. I’ll check it the next time I’m under it.

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[whysoserious]

9 incidents out of 781,459 vehicles...

I'm hoping not to be #10.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Yeah. I’m not running around in circles screaming yet. I’ll check it the next time I’m under it.

Exactly. Just be prudent.
It's like when there was the big deal about the JLU 4xe fires - I kept ours parked in the garage, kept on charging and driving it. (there were no more fires after all of the reporting and jumping about it)
I'll check, keep an eye on things, but it will remain in the garage.
When I get a chance, will check the wiring - however, I've moved things around a lot down there since I had to run wires for the winch and plow, so nothing much is where it was.

 

[Mr._Bill]

9 incidents out of 781,459 vehicles...

Panic at the Disco!

 

[arosen1997]

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

Is it controlled by a relay in the pump or is it a high current transistor? If it's a high current transistor I could see defects in the silicon potentially causing a dead short to ground and fire. Would also make sense with the time frame with silicon chips being so crunched during the 'rona time frame.

 

[rharr]

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

8ga was a guess, I have not looked at the wire in person. Looking at the video it's bigger the 14ga....

 

[Gvsukids]

I'd be totally down for this to be a recall just because my JT is 5 years old now and a power steering system flush/replacement would be a nice little refresh. Maybe they'd install the steel steering gear while they're at it since I still have the aluminum one.

That ship has sailed. Do you really need the steel one?

9 incidents out of 781,459 vehicles...

Must be a slow year at the nhsta.

 

[wachuko]

Oh wow...

 

[biodiesel]

I suppose this is an issue with the Pentastar and not the EcoDiesel?

 

[WILDHOBO]

I suppose this is an issue with the Pentastar and not the EcoDiesel?

That’s be my guess, unless the power steering pump is identical, which I guess is possible.

 

[BearFootSam]

I can't see constant power being to the pump. Could be wrong, but if it's hot all the time, then there has to be something inside the pump to control when it's off or on. It's not always running. In fact, running straight down the highway, bet it's off.

Is not that the whole purpose of using an electric pump, to only power the pump when steering force is called for?

 

[rharr]

I suppose this is an issue with the Pentastar and not the EcoDiesel?

I would assume it is for both, both use a electronic steering pump in the same spot.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Is not that the whole purpose of using an electric pump, to only power the pump when steering force is called for?

Sure, but if the wiring gets compromised, it’ll still arc to ground.

 

[BoomerangJ]

I'm away from my Jeep for several months at a time. I keep battery tenders on the battery. I'm wondering if in the future I should dis-connect the batterie(s) and just put the tenders on the battery posts. re-connect when I get back. 2022 Gladiator Mojave. Will be watching this thread.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I'm away from my Jeep for several months at a time. I keep battery tenders on the battery. I'm wondering if in the future I should dis-connect the batterie(s) and just put the tenders on the battery posts. re-connect when I get back. 2022 Gladiator Mojave. Will be watching this thread.

If mine was stored that long, I’d definitely disconnect the batteries. No harm really.

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