2002 Jeep Liberty has problems starting back up

Asked by Jazzbee08 Jul 15, 2013 at 02:54 PM about the 2002 Jeep Liberty Sport 4WD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

So, I've had my 2002 Jeep for a couple years now. Only in the past few weeks have I had this problem when I run errands. I can start my car up just fine and drive it around. The temperature gauge goes to the halfway point buy never goes beyond that. If I turn the car off, go into a store and get my shopping done and come back within 15-20 mintues, the car won't start again, depending on how far I've driven. When I turn the key the engine and fuel lights come on, but both are perfectly fine and have been inspected by a service station. I usually have to wait about 20 mins or so before it starts up again, and the temperature gauge still doesn't go above the middle line. My friends had also borrowed my Jeep early in the summer for a trip and they had the same problem, but when they talked to a AAA representative they said it was something to do with the anti-theft system.

46 Answers

NO...it is a simple case of vapor-lock...the gasoline when next to the engine starts to boil...your system wants to see liquid for dispersion and control...it cannot control a gas vapor...when the gas STOPS boiling it returns to normal....not sure what you could do exactly will research some insulation to keep the engine heat away from the fuel line...

23 people found this helpful.

halfway up is good, any hotter, like in the red "melty zone" will continue to broil itself until smokin' if ran without coolant...you have a thermostat (under the water neck) probably a 195 or 212 for a hotter engine...will shop for "fuel line insulation" for you now~

3 people found this helpful.

if you were fine before...and suddenly you're NOT fine, would say the problem lies in the coolant, and clobberation nation in your cooling jacket~ You know but correct me if I am wrong...the electric cooling fan continues to run long after you've got the key out and am marchin' on into the costco~ it is designed to keep runnin' until the coolant drops down to a safe temperature...you might just ask if this feature is "stuck" in operation now, think that yours had it...am not crazy...ask your mechanic~

6 people found this helpful.

most likely I "nailed it" second time today...it was only through a process of asking the right questions we can figure it out~ kudos....me.~

4 people found this helpful.

researching there should logically be a "TIME delay relay" to accomplish this task but according to word on the street is the responsibility of the ECU and the thermal sensors (don't know how many offhand, but I guarantee there is an ambient air sensor) temperature at the block, at the radiator, am going to have to pull up a schematic and study it to gain some insight into the cooling system design~.....then again they pay me ZERO...and a little encouragement here and there so I don't have to do the heavy lifting and "hold up the show" an "GOOD MOVE" or "I tried that already" moving on now...

1 people found this helpful.
260

I'm having the exact same issue with my '02 Jeep Liberty. Did you get it figured out? Was it the vapor lock/coolant issue? Please let me know, this has been confounding my mechanics for nearly half a year. You can email me at mike.breiburg@gmail.com

13 people found this helpful.
190

I'm also having a similar issue with my wife's '02 Liberty. However, I don't think it is due to vapor lock. When it fails to restart (such as after filling up at the gas station or coming back in from the 7-11), it doesn't even try to turn over. Doesn't vapor lock merely prevent the fuel from igniting in the carburetor? It appears to be electrical to me, like it doesn't sense that it is in Park. That doesn't explain why it will restart after a "cool down" period though, which sometimes is a half hour or so and sometimes after only a couple of minutes. It has also happened after only about a 5 minute trip to the gas station and then won't happen again for a few weeks. Very inconsistent and doesn't appear to be heat related.

15 people found this helpful.
250

Here's what I did to fix it. My '02 Liberty won't start when hot. All dash lights work, everything seems ok but the engine won't crank until it cools down. I replaced the starter (no fix), I replaced the ignition switch actuator (no fix), I tested everything and couldn't find the problem. So I spent $10 for a push button start button. I ran a hot wire from the fuse box to the start button then a wire from the start button to the small starter wire. (Problem solved). Now when the car is warm and won't start I turn the key on and push the button.

19 people found this helpful.

This might be a dead end now, but I have the exact same issue with 2002 Jeep Liberty, which has been in the shop 4 times x 4 days each, and nada. Only happens in hot weather, and I live in SC, so 8 months of the year. On going issue for 3 years now. I need HELP

6 people found this helpful.
260

This problem got solved for me by taking it to the Aamco in Glendale, California. Last summer. Turned out to be a transmission thing, or so they told me. I'm not entirely sure on it but it had to do with an overheating failsafe. The engine code we got was: "P1698 BAD TRANSMISSION MODULE//NO GROUND OUTPUT FROM TRANS-MODULE TO STARTER RELAY//RECC DEALERSHIP" I think if you take that info to your mechanic, he might set you down a patch that leads to a resolution. If not, I'd call the Glendale Aamco. Forgot the name of the person I dealt with but if you describe the problem, they should have some experience in dealing with it now. I've seen enough messages over the years detailing this same issue, I'm surprised Jeep isn't already on it.

9 people found this helpful.
260

*path, not patch. Also, I should mention, after they got it fixed, it was perfect for almost a year. Than a few weeks ago, the problem came back. At least it's very rare now but, maybe twice or so within a week but I'm worried it might come back as it gets hotter. This is the problem that won't go away. However, it was fine for almost a year after the service and when it did come back, just a few times and hasn't happened since.

4 people found this helpful.

Great. An almost impossible problem to diagnose and also a never ending one. Story of my life

2 people found this helpful.
70

My car is doing the same thing Its been to the mechanics. ..its been to the auto electrician and after alot of money and headaches about to dump it. Everyone seems to have the same problem that no one can fix Trust me after this i will never ever buy a jeep again

7 people found this helpful.
20

I have to say, I do like ..tims1999..idea !! Since no-one is able to accurately diagnose or come up with a fix..I say, by-pass the problem altogether !! (if it really works;( I`m also beginning to think that Jeep..could give a rats *^# for the "older" consumers of their products..I`ve had 3 Jeeps so far..THIS IS THE LAST !! 02` Liberty 3.7 V..gas addict..

2 people found this helpful.
120

I have '02 liberty sport...code says transmission shift moduel....but I took off cover around automatic gear shifter....and tightened up the little screw for the sensor that actuates when the button on shifter is pressed in to tell car shifting outta park or back into park.....seemed to work....I also had replaced the ignition switch...seemed like a few of wires was loose somehow that clip into ignition switch from wiring harness....replaced that...tightened up screw under shifter column inside...and haven't had one problem since...just a heads up ;-)

8 people found this helpful.
60

I have a 2009 jeep liberty and we have had it into the.mechanic 3 times new filter gas cleaned the fuel injectors and valves new throttle new software .. still doesn't start after warm shakes when trying to start tries to turn over takes 20 min cool down and starts .. my mechanic says has to be doing it when I bring it in .. I want it fixed .. some one help please.could it be the remote modular or do you think the transmission module or the valve to the fuel pump ..

5 people found this helpful.
60

I want to go see my great grandaughters 2000 miles away .. I'm scared to drive it..

1 people found this helpful.

My 2002 Jeep Liberty used to do this (only during spring/summer months). I had to have transmission module(s) replaced about 2 years ago, and it has not happened since (with my fingers crossed).

2 people found this helpful.
60

I'm now having this problem with my '05 Liberty. Please help!

4 people found this helpful.
70

Mike on here was right I had the same exact issuse and ended uo being a transmission issue. Turned out they had to replace the entire valve body.

4 people found this helpful.
190

We got ours fixed several months ago with no recurrence. It is indeed a transmission issue, related to thermal sensing. Apparently it is the proximity of the sensor to a heat source. When it overheats, the vehicle does not sense that it is in Park. It is not an expensive fix, just very hard for the mechanics to diagnose once the vehicle has cooled down. If you're having this issue, take it to a reputable transmission place and tell them where to start looking.

4 people found this helpful.
70

Matthew hit it right on the nail guys, dealership will kill you saying they have to replace the entire valve body like they did to us, when it's very much posibly be the transmission range sensor. My girlfriend payed $1218 to get it fixed. We went with the dealer since this problem is extremely hard to diagnose since our dealer warranties their work. We even ended up with a "free" starter.

3 people found this helpful.
10

Just replaced transmission on my 2002 jeep liberty sport replaced battery and starter but it won't crank any answers please

1 people found this helpful.
70

Rodgers have you checked the ignition switch or ignition switch actuator pin ?

50

Reading this is depressing - my 2007 Jeep Liberty just started doing this - at first I was replacing the fuel pump relay switch which worked a couple of times, or so I thought! For those of you who have dealt with this - is it the thermal sensing issue? HELP??

5 people found this helpful.
40

I have a 2003 Jeep Liberty Sport 3.7. It was stalling, sometimes wouldn't start when hot, sputtering sometimes....I replaced a lot of parts before a Jeep expert smiled at me, and told me that it is a common issue with these Jeeps. He replaced the EGR valve. Problem solved.

4 people found this helpful.
30

I think the simple fix is run a new wire from the starter solenoid momentary terminal to the proper lug on the starter relay, this is a fix that will by pass all the safeties, The jeep will start No matter where the shifter is positioned, but it Will Start with the Key. Start is what we want it to do. as long as the jeep is an automatic no one should have a problem. This is what i am doing today as i can't get to work and hope to get it started at the end of the day! so this idea was inspired from the person that recommended the push button, a good idea but i would like my sweeties jeep to start with the key, So off i go the rewire the starter.

2 people found this helpful.
30

I have an 2002 & 2004 both have over 200,000 keep the oil checked and changed with quality oil every 3,000 only changed one crank sender in the 2004 , altenater in the 2002 and front propshafts in both. now 2002 has the wont crank issue, easy Fix listed above.

1 people found this helpful.

The tachometer was jumping around after the jeep shut off. I replaced the cam sensor and crank sensor and it fixed the problem. For months. Today it was hard to start checking to see if the fuelpump is failing and then it's on to reading the message boards again.

60

I have an 05 liberty, it runs fine till I shut it off at temp then the BS happens, but I carry a couple of cans of starting fluid with me it gets me going every except this last time, it wouldn't stay running long enough to shut the hood an get in. Can we file a class action lawsuit against Jeep... I've been late to work an stranded before just saying

6 people found this helpful.
30

Found the problem with mine... The fuse to the Starter relay from the ignition had corrosion and the terminal was loose..... when ever the weather changes.. it wont crank... if i bash on the fuse box... sometimes it would start.... after chasing the problem from the start back.... i found the issue.... a simple case of corrosion and connection....

3 people found this helpful.
30

So simple. Just go to the junk yard and pull a starter relay off of of a similar jeep and swap it out for yours. The "starter relay" is located inside your fuse box under the hood next to your battery. And cost like 2 bucks. No need to jerry rig a starting switch, no need to change your starter and no need to change your fuel pump. Just bring your old starter relay with you so you can match up the numers to the starter relay at the junk yard. Buy 2 just in case one is bad. That it. So simple. Oh yeah, bring a needle nose so you can gently pull the starting relay off away from that fuse board. Thats it. Good luck and that should completely do away with your restart problem.

3 people found this helpful.
10

Having starting trouble with 2002 liberty Sport. Won't start hot or cold . Move steering wheel back and forth, try again and turns over. Turn key to on and get click like battery is bad, Brand new battery. What the Hay.

1 people found this helpful.
70

@GuruVMQMM try replacing the ignition acuator pin if it works great if not return it and check off the list :) Dorman 924-704 Ignition Switch Actuator Pin for Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004BYX8W8/ref=cm_sw_r_ cp_api_FR6NBb6NTGVKF

Hi guys I've been following this topic after I had problems with my jeep cherokee 2.5 crd 2003. NO CRANK, all other electrical systems working normally. After checking wiring to start relay was working. It was normal. I checked for power to starter solenoid , found bad contact to S .terminal, caused by shorting out when the solenoid sticks. Bench tested starter ,found it would stick some times but a gentle tap with a hammer would free it . Re installed starter ,fitted new spade terminal to switch wire connected it to solenoid all now ok. Starts on key. I put a 1 Mtr crowbar in truck just in case I need to give solenoid a tap. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERY ONE ON THIS FORUM FOR ALL THE INFO. Ian Nottinghamshire UK.

10

My 2002 Liberty runs long as I got foot on gas but won't idle.

1 people found this helpful.
10

Buenas el problema es el pare neutro o trs averiado ese se encuentra en el cuerpo de valvulas es una plaquita selectora de los cambios. es el que manda señal negativa a la computadora y esta a su vez manda negativo al rele de arranque.

1 people found this helpful.

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