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

[Wolf Island Diver]

The big wire is the live wire and it's live cause it's carrying 150 amps. To introduce a relay that can active inactive 150amps constantly I suspect costs lots of money.

The design philosophy is really no different then your main starter wire design, that is also live and carrying a ton of amps.

Thanks for this I wasn’t aware it was an always live 150A wire. A 150A continuous duty solenoid is about $75. Of course that’s times N number of units. So cost savings, yes. Cost prohibitive, no. I’m actually thinking about adding a solenoid myself and just wiring it to the ignition circuit.

But, it still doesn’t fully explain why these fires are mostly or exclusively happening when the Jeep is off and cooled down. It should be just as likely if not more likely to happen with the Jeep is being driven.

The other thing I can’t help thinking, is they switched to this electric power steering pump (I’m sure to save MPGs), but it’s weak and necessitates modification, like my Apex unit to turn larger tires. And now this is going to be the source of another failure another set of lawsuits, another recall and another fix. I’m not sure how much money they’re actually going to save in the end on a lack of relay or solenoid. But I know that for the consumer, this switch to an electric pump is now definitively a total loser.

I’ve got this rough mental balance sheet in my head regarding keeping or selling this Jeep, and the sell side keeps growing. But other than importing a vintage Toyota from Australia (or just moving to Australia) I don’t see anything on the market that probably won’t have the same sorts of problems.

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[Janster]

Here you go y’all, taken from underneath. My truck is an early 2023 with 10,000 miles.

Thanks!! So…what exactly are we looking for? Signs of excessive heat and/or burnt wires? I mean…that could happen anytime. One minute its clean and the next minute…Poof!

 

[Wolf Island Diver]

Is there any data on the prevalence of this issue on the 3.0? That engine compartment certainly gets hot as hell. Of course the flash point of diesel is higher, but are these fires even involving fuel?

 

[LouisvEarlleJT]

Thanks!! So…what exactly are we looking for? Signs of excessive heat and/or burnt wires? I mean…that could happen anytime. One minute its clean and the next minute…Poof!

After reading the cases posted previously I don’t actually think it was the power steering. That’s what’s listed in that article but each case has a different cause listed.

 

[Mr._Bill]

Is there any data on the prevalence of this issue on the 3.0? That engine compartment certainly gets hot as hell. Of course the flash point of diesel is higher, but are these fires even involving fuel?

The whole purpose of opening the investigation is an attempt to determine the causes of the nine reported under hood fires. If they can determine a common denominator, and a fix to apply, then there will be a recall to address it. So far, it doesn't appear (at least not to me) to have a recurring theme that will necessitate a recall.

 

[biodiesel]

The 3.0 fuel pump boondoggle was also a NHTSA mandated safety recall and took years while we all wondered if our trucks would suddenly die at 75 MPH.

The HPFP was not mandated by NHTSA. Stellantis decided to replace the pump whereas Ford and GM didn't.

 

[Cspence]

Looks like some of those are fuel related and near the back of the engine, not the PS pump connector.

Glancing through all the reports just now, I picked up on all but (1) were MY21 MY22. Also, several stated that the vehicle was in operation when this happened (which is reassuring to me, as this substantially decreases the potential for more catastrophic damages and limits it to just the vehicle). My biggest concern is that it happens randomly when the ignition is in the off state (and parked IN a garage).

 

[JeepJunky]

Just saw this come through:

https://www.reuters.com/business/au...tis-vehicles-over-underhood-fires-2024-09-09/

Looks like our power steering pump electrical connection has been known to start fires.....

Looks like I am climbing under the jeep this week to see if the power connectors/wires have any signs of getting hot and doing the melty melty or rubbing through.

HERE IS THE PUMP AND THE WIRES

I just found this while changing my oil and air filters this weekend: Can anyone confirm if this is the same issue?

 

[Hootbro]

I just found this while changing my oil and air filters this weekend: Can anyone confirm if this is the same issue?

That is rodent damage.

Unrelated.

 

[whysoserious]

What @Hootbro said...

 

[JeepJunky]

My co-worker took a look and pointed out that melty cables don't peel strands of wire up. Time to re-watch Caddy Shack!

 

[mountainpass]

I just found this while changing my oil and air filters this weekend: Can anyone confirm if this is the same issue?

Man thats bad. Time to set traps under the hood and salt the earth under it with poison. Moth balls...

seriously, and look for other damage as that is real bad.

 

[RYDR]

9 incidents out of 781,459 vehicles...

I'm a newbie and not well versed in vehicular electrical systems but I wonder if any of the vehicles that this has happened to are modded and are running larger tires/lifts which may put additional strain on the pump (not sure if that would be a factor). These fires seem to be happening when the vehicle is parked so I also wonder if it is randomly happening after the vehicle has been sitting for some time (like for a day or two) or if it is happening after it is driven and then it's parked for a few hours.

Like I said, I don't know much about these things so I'm posing these questions and I'm sure members with way more knowledge of this subject matter than I will be able to respond more definitively.

Thanking all who do in advance for sharing their knowledge.

Also, if you do have a vehicle that is modded and this happens, could Jeep use that as an excuse to not satisfy a warranty claim from the incident?

 

[whysoserious]

I'm a newbie and not well versed in vehicular electrical systems but I wonder if any of the vehicles that this has happened to are modded and are running larger tires/lifts which may put additional strain on the pump (not sure if that would be a factor). These fires seem to be happening when the vehicle is parked so I also wonder if it is randomly happening after the vehicle has been sitting for some time (like for a day or two) or if it is happening after it is driven and then it's parked for a few hours.

Like I said, I don't know much about these things so I'm posing these questions and I'm sure members with way more knowledge of this subject matter than I will be able to respond more definitively.

Thanking all who do in advance for sharing their knowledge.

Also, if you do have a vehicle that is modded and this happens, could Jeep use that as an excuse to not satisfy a warranty claim from the incident?

Per the reports, out of the 9 incidents, 4 were either being driven or at least running at the time. 4 others had not been driven for a period of time before the fire; within hours to days. At least one report indicated vehicle modifications; it was posted on this forum and had pictures showing modifications to include at least some electrical mods (light bar).

The problem at this point, IMHO, is other than a location, date of incident and year and model, there is not enough info. Most are Wranglers (at least one 4xe), 3 are JTs, and all four seasons appear to be involved. Even the location within the engine compartment, when stated, varies. There's no indication of any other property damage aside from the vehicle; like being parked inside a garage.

Then throw a couple rodents in the mix and it's a mess. In fact, I read an article a while back involving a veteran fire investigator from NY. It was his opinion that about 30% of all undetermined vehicle fires were a result of rodents chewing on wires.

9 out of 781,459 is not a lot to go on.

Fire damage is excluded from Jeep warranty claims, so that will be the basis for denial without even have to look for any modifications. Then it's up to you or your insurance company to fight the cause of the fire.

 

[Wild Bill 58]

Thanks for that video. Great. The kind of guy you want working on your Jeep! Looked at mine a 2021 eco diesel and don't see anything out of place

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