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

[Cspence]

Would be nice if we knew there would be some sort of visual indicator that there was going to be a problem. Common sense would say that you'd see some sort of sign of shorting (insulation melted, burnt, maybe some witness marks where maybe its arcing to adjacent metal), but I guess there isn't enough detail to know for sure that this is the case. For now I'm assuming that even if it look "fine" the risk could still very much be present...

Is there a fuse that could be pulled as an additional safety precaution while parked in a garage? I routinely leave mine parked in my garage for days on end, maybe drive it once or twice a week (a little more in nice weather). Last night I put it outside LOL and planned to keep it there for a few weeks until more information *hopefully* becomes available. This morning I was thinking, maybe I just disconnect the battery or pull a fuse. Perhaps a little over kill, but I'd feel much better that my house won't burn to the ground while we're away at work and school, or worse, while we're sleeping. (I live out in the sticks and there is no public water supply for fire hydrants.)

Sponsored

 

[RHINO79]

I thought about parking outside, but the critters around here would possibly chew on the wire harness.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

For me, IDGAF about this.

If I did, I wouldn't have bought my wife this new expensive thing... She'd be driving my long, long paid for TDI 4runner at 34 mpg.

If it bursts into flames, I'm just calling Jeep.

If they have a fix, they'll fix it, if it goes up in flames, they'll pay...

This whole warranty, peace of mind, roadside assistance deal is the reason why I spent more on this Jeep than my other 7 trucks combined.

 

[Cspence]

For me, IDGAF about this.

If I did, I wouldn't have bought my wife this new expensive thing... She'd be driving my long, long paid for TDI 4runner at 34 mpg.

If it bursts into flames, I'm just calling Jeep.

If they have a fix, they'll fix it, if it goes up in flames, they'll pay...

This whole warranty, peace of mind, roadside assistance deal is the reason why I spent more on this Jeep than my other 7 trucks combined.

Exactly how I feel, my only concern is my house (parking in the garage). Even then, I'm not overly concerned about the material possessions should the house burn (though it would not be fun being displaced, losing some belongings some of which may be irreplaceable and the financial burden). If it happened while we're home and asleep, this is what has me worried...

If the truck goes up in flames, the truck goes up in flames. Would suck as its just how I want it and I'm sure I wouldn't be able to replace it exactly to my liking (and I wouldn't recoup ever dollar I have into it for the accessories), but, eh...

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Yeah, I get it... But I just can't bring myself to get worked up about this, or the cams, or whatever else.

Idk, my life just isn't so great I have to go look for things to worry about when I know things like PFAS contamination has reached every corner of the globe or my 2 12 year old dogs are closer to the end of their lives than the beginning.

 

[Cspence]

I thought about parking outside, but the critters around here would possibly chew on the wire harness.

My concern too! I have a commuter car that moved outside when I got the Jeep and it didn't take but 2-3 months for a mouse to move in (along with all his personal linens lol), to my cabin air filter!!! After he died, I realized he was there and got that mess sorted. Then it took about another two months till a new guest was there. I've recently waged war on the vermin around my house, got about a dozen bait stations around my property now.

 

[LouisvEarlleJT]

when I know things like PFAS contamination has reached every corner of the globe

Environmental Engineer (water) here. . .yep, that crap (and the lack of good solutions) definitely keeps me up at night.

 

[RHINO79]

For me, IDGAF about this.

If I did, I wouldn't have bought my wife this new expensive thing... She'd be driving my long, long paid for TDI 4runner at 34 mpg.

If it bursts into flames, I'm just calling Jeep.

If they have a fix, they'll fix it, if it goes up in flames, they'll pay...

This whole warranty, peace of mind, roadside assistance deal is the reason why I spent more on this Jeep than my other 7 trucks combined.

Well said

 

[RHINO79]

If mine goes

 

[Cspence]

If mine goes

You're a brave man! lol

 

[whysoserious]

FWIW, here's mine (2021) looking down sans airbox. Seems my harness is a little shorted than others...

 

[1945gpw]

I plan on wrapping the high power cables with better material than factory after seeing this.. I did this with the wiring harness next to the DPF on the diesels that seem to give problems just to prevent it from giving me electrical issues in the future as I plan on keeping the truck for a while and don’t care to have the dealer touch it. I’ll dig into it one of these weekends and get some pictures wrapping the entire cables.

From the vibration and very thin sheath the manufacturer uses Im not surprised to see them shorting out.
I’ve seen this on winch battery cables that aren’t wrapped or routed properly and allowed to vibrate.

 

[RHINO79]

I plan on wrapping the high power cables with better material than factory after seeing this.. I did this with the wiring harness next to the DPF on the diesels that seem to give problems just to prevent it from giving me electrical issues in the future as I plan on keeping the truck for a while and don’t care to have the dealer touch it. I’ll dig into it one of these weekends and get some pictures wrapping the entire cables.

From the vibration and very thin sheath the manufacturer uses Im not surprised to see them shorting out.
I’ve seen this on winch battery cables that aren’t wrapped or routed properly and allowed to vibrate.

Thanks, looking forward to the pics!

 

[rharr]

I plan on wrapping the high power cables with better material than factory after seeing this.. I did this with the wiring harness next to the DPF on the diesels that seem to give problems just to prevent it from giving me electrical issues in the future as I plan on keeping the truck for a while and don’t care to have the dealer touch it. I’ll dig into it one of these weekends and get some pictures wrapping the entire cables.

From the vibration and very thin sheath the manufacturer uses Im not surprised to see them shorting out.
I’ve seen this on winch battery cables that aren’t wrapped or routed properly and allowed to vibrate.

That is my thought. I was thinking about taking some rubber fuel line or heater hose (what ever is the right ID) sliting it length wise and wrapping it over the wires where they are close to parts. Then use some zip ties to keep the hose closed and in place.

It takes a lot to chaffe through a 1/8" rubber hose.

 

[legacy_etu]

Every single tool that made the entire Jeep and 80% of the check fixtures that checked them came from China.

Not surprised one bit. I’m in Engineering and I’ve seen the wholesale adoption of Chinese suppliers by many US companies.

Sponsored