[jklightner]

Ongoing update, I'm back on island for a quick visit and swapped out the starter relay. Doing some research seemed to suggest it might be the culprit and it only cost $30 so why not? Got the new on in, Jeep started just fine, and we'll see what happens over the next week or so....

Aloha
Having lived in Kona for 15 years (mauka of Costco), I know that Hawaii climate is pretty rough on electronics, and can cause a lot of electrical gremlins. Sometimes just unplugging and reinstalling a connector can make a problem go away, or pop up. Had a few issues myself with the connectors in the doors.
The Jeep and I are back on the Mainland in a much dryer climate, but considering the age of the Jeep, connector issues are sure to crop up, and intermittent problems are a bear to track down.

 

[jklightner]

Good luck on your starting issue. I have it too but only happens once every few months. I think i tried swapping the relay with another one from fuelpump or fog light (not with a new one) but still happening. Also did a new battery and checked yellow wire.

Also i didnt see anyone call out those mystery wires, are the factory leads for a brake controller. They go back to your 7pin plug. Its typical of manufacturers to just tape off the wires and leave them stuffed under the dash.
Looks like in your case, previous owner spliced in the connector that matches his controller.

Thanks for reminding me of that nightmare.
I picked my Commander because it had the tow package, and then found out there was no brake controller.
took me forever it seemed to find those wires. I ended up putting the brake controller in the little cubby below and left of the steering wheel.

 

[jklightner]

The ongoing story of Jeremiah, my Jeep Commander that I really want to love.

So swapping out the starter relay did not fix the problem. In fact, it had been getting worse. So back to my local repair shop.

Said shop was stumped and suggested that it needed a recall done to replace the key cylinder. That would take a trip to the dealership, said repair shop told me, and gave me a print out with the details of the recall. So I made an appointment at the dealership.

In turn, said dealership pulled the records and found that he recall had been done in 2016, something that didn't surprise me. I'd have noticed an outstanding recall and got a lower price when I bought the jeep.

However the dealership did find an internal, electrical, fault in the starter. They switched the starter out, after getting pre-approval from the insurance company we bough repair insurance with when we bought Jeremiah. The company will be paying us back for about 70% of the repair. I'll take it.

And now, so far over the past three days Jeremiah is staring. Every time, with vigor. It's far too soon to say for sure I'm hopeful they got it fixed.

Kona Jeep?

 

[jklightner]

Thank you for the put. The ISP wasn't related to engine temperature at all, it would come even on the first start of the day. But that's still some good stuff to know about the fuel line.

And the dealership that seems to have found the problem was Kona Auto Center. I'm hoping that takes care of it, so far so good, about three or four days post starter replacement.

Kona Auto Center, Kona Jeep, same thing.
I let them deal with the broken exhaust manifold bolts on my Jeep.
TransTech is a good place for driveline fluid service.
They're on Kaiwi St.
Vic took good care of my Commander service of differential, trans, transfer case.
If you see him tell him Big Jim with the silver Commander said hi.

 

[jklightner]

Will do. And, for that matter, I think I've seen one other Commander driving around, think that might be you? Noticed a hairy haloe in a matching commander recently?

Kind of doubt it if it has been recently
My Jeep and I have been in Wyoming since June 2021
IKR?
Trading winters in Hawai'i for winters in Wyoming.