Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler JK radiators

Jeep shutting off at idle and dealership couldn't help

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252Jeep

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Joined
Dec 10, 2022
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5
Location
North Carolina
So I have been having a recurring issue with my Jeep Wrangler 2012 JK. I had an issue where it was shutting off at idle consistently. Whenever I would pull up to a stop light it would shut off and I would have to recrank. It would sometimes shut off when I was in reverse as well. Took it to the dealership, said I need a new torque converter. $2500 later, I get my car back and it shuts off twice not even 2 minutes after I cranked. Fast forward 2 months later (my dealership had it this entire time) and they said they couldn't fix it. Only 65k miles.

I had read a thread that trying to use a light key chain or just the key had fixed it, So i put a hair tie on my right turn signal/ windshield washer wiper knob to keep tension on my key upwards in the ignition while I drive, and that fixed it for quite some time. But now it has been shutting off again. Anybody have any experience with this issue? Thank you!!!
 
I'm not certain what "shutting off" means, but it sounds like you are having problems stalling. If you have a tachometer, what RPM is the engine trying to idle at. The stalling at no or low loads sound like a timing, fuel, or vacuum problem. If you can, check the OBDII codes. Often you can rent a reader at an automotive store.
 
Duster said:
I'm not certain what "shutting off" means, but it sounds like you are having problems stalling. If you have a tachometer, what RPM is the engine trying to idle at. The stalling at no or low loads sound like a timing, fuel, or vacuum problem. If you can, check the OBDII codes. Often you can rent a reader at an automotive store.
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It doesn't run any codes. But when I say "shut off" I mean the car is in drive and my foot is on the break. So the car will literally shut off and RPM go to 0, and then i have to move the car to park and then restart it.
 
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252Jeep said:
It doesn't run any codes. But when I say "shut off" I mean the car is in drive and my foot is on the break.
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If your foot is on the break, then you know what the problem is. Fix it.
252Jeep said:
So the car will literally shut off and RPM go to 0, and then i have to move the car to park and then restart it.
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What he's asking is what your idle speed is.
 
252Jeep said:
My car is an automatic. not sure if you're being a smartass or not
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You haven't said what engine you have but, IIRC, in 2012 Chrysler introduced the 3.6L into the Wrangler line. That has a normal idle range between around 650 and 700 RPM, maybe a little higher. If you have a tachometer, check to see what it reads when the engine is properly warmed, and running, and the vehicle is not going anywhere. Also, when the engine stop does it feel different right before it stalls, possibly rougher? Another thing to note if you have a tachometer installed is whether the reading is stable or moves around while engine idles when fully warmed up.

You have two directions in which to hunt for the solution. One is the "front end" systems- gas, timing, electrical, intake, vacuum lines, and various sensors. The other would be the automatic transmission, which you report the parts canon has already fired on and it made no difference. If your dealer a Jeep dealer, or a used car dealer? If the latter, see what a Jeep dealer tells you or any other reputable mechanic near you. Get a second opinion (or more). Right now, you have not offered enough observations to really narrow things down. By that I mean details of what happens, what the engine did, what you did, heck - what the weather was like. Does it stall when you first start it if you leave it running, or only after you have driven around some, how far? Things like that may help someone help you. There are a lot of things that can cause a stall at a stop. I stalled mine twice today in the rain, under-reving the engine before letting in the clutch. But that was apparently not what you experienced.
 
252Jeep said:
I had read a thread that trying to use a light key chain or just the key had fixed it, So i put a hair tie on my right turn signal/ windshield washer wiper knob to keep tension on my key upwards in the ignition while I drive, and that fixed it for quite some time. But now it has been shutting off again. Anybody have any experience with this i
Click to expand...

Was thinking about this a bit . So with minor tension
put on the key it seemed solve the issue.
Maybe it's the key lock cylinder that's faulty.
I know if FOB is faulty it will shut off after
10 seconds. Possibly your FOB is on the way
out . Intermittent communication disruption
by a faulty FOB? Could this cause an engine
to stall ? Or down the line one , the ignition
switch?
I don't know for certain . Just going back to
the whole tension on the key fixed it for awhile .
Seems the most logical explanation is the key
lock cylinder, key or possibly ignition switch.
 
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252Jeep said:
had read a thread that trying to use a light key chain or just the key had fixed it, So i put a hair tie on my right turn signal/ windshield washer wiper knob to keep tension on my key upwards in the ignition while I drive, and that fixed it for quite some time. But now it has been shutting off again. Anybody have any experience with this issue? Thank you!!!
Click to expand...

Maybe it's just a loose connection in the ignition switch. I don't know if you can Hotwire these things? Lol

I heard that if you have too heavy of a keychain, bumps and potholes will eventually ruin your ignition. Mine definitely has some wiggle to it.
 
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