2014 JKU Won't Start - Advice?

mattvanderpool

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Joined
Sep 23, 2024
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Dallas, TX
Having major electrical issues with my 2014 JKU Sport. It's a manual transmission with about 116,000 miles.

For about six years now the Jeep will intermittently refuse to start. When you turn the key, the dash and lights turn on but the engine doesn't crank at all. After a few seconds the display will start flashing "Check TPM System." Most of the time you can get it to start by taking the key out and cranking it again, cranking it a number of times in rapid succession, or just waiting a few minutes and trying again. I've even done the trick of pulling one of the fuses from the fuse box, letting it sit for a minute, then reinstalling and trying again, which historically has worked.

However, it is now refusing to start even with those tricks. I've tried everything I can to fix this - replaced every component in the ignition system including the ignition switch, the starter, the TIPM, the battery, etc. I have also taken it to numerous mechanics and no one can figure it out. The latest shop finally did a deep dive on the Jeep and determined that there are multiple major electrical issues going on, and that it would cost more than $10k to diagnose and fix. It's now sitting at the shop and I have two options.

First, they offered to buy it for $5k and use it for parts. This is a shop that buys and restores Jeeps for resale, but told me that given the issues with this Jeep they would not try to do that. The second option is for me to find a way to get it to start reliably and sell it for a little more, all problems disclosed up front, to be used by someone as a hobby or something to take off road without worrying about it getting too wrecked. The only thing I have not tried is essentially installing some mechanism, like a button, that would basically serve as a permanent hot-wiring of the Jeep (maybe using a remote starter switch and somehow installing that into the dash?). I don't even know if this is possible, but I'm at my wits' end with this Jeep and want to try one last Hail Mary - again, if that's even an option.

It's a great looking car and has taken myself and my kids on many fun off roading and camping trips. I'd hate for it to just end up in the junk yard when it is not that old and has decently low mileage for its year. Please let me know your thoughts!
 
Here's a couple ideas.

Is there a little red dot on at the top right of the dash cluster when this happens?

Have you tried starting it in 4 low?

Also there are a few writeups on bypassing the neutral safety switch.

The fuse your pulling up is it the one with the yellow cage around it?
 
Here's a couple ideas.

Is there a little red dot on at the top right of the dash cluster when this happens?

Have you tried starting it in 4 low?

Also there are a few writeups on bypassing the neutral safety switch.

The fuse your pulling up is it the one with the yellow cage around it?

Yes! There is a little red dot on the top right of the dash. I've read that has something to do with the security system, but wasn't ever able to find anything that would help me diagnose/fix the issue because of it.

I have not tried starting it in 4 low, but at this point its worth a shot. I hadn't looked at the neutral safety switch, but I can do some research. What would bypassing do to help?

Yes, the fuse I'm pulling up is the one with the yellow cage around it.
 
Yes! There is a little red dot on the top right of the dash. I've read that has something to do with the security system, but wasn't ever able to find anything that would help me diagnose/fix the issue because of it.

I have not tried starting it in 4 low, but at this point its worth a shot. I hadn't looked at the neutral safety switch, but I can do some research. What would bypassing do to help?

Yes, the fuse I'm pulling up is the one with the yellow cage around it.

When you pull up on the cage your bypassing the red dot, it's the security system. Check/replace the battery in your key FOB.

If that doesn't work i'm pretty sure we have a Thread on the neutral switch in the Resources Section.
 
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