[Ben Richards]

2006 commander 4.7L. Had auto starter installed December 2014 - worked fine. Moved overseas for military in January and car arrived in March 2015. Since then have had flashing dash lights and headlights (when in "off" and "auto" position), blinkers, wipers, back up sensors work sporadically (as if power is off and on repeatedly), tach and speedo jumping in sync - zero, then read accurately, then back to zero - error msgs like "service suspension" also appearing randomly. Problem got worse - in early April radio worked, but now, no power to radio. Talked to auto starter guys who recommended reset of control module (possibly got screwed up b/c of battery disconnection during shipment), but that hasn't helped. Can hear clicking under dash when key is in acc and on position. Clicking associated with lights (and everything else) going on and off. A.S. guys say that the clicking is the module trying to start car but it still happens when I disconnect module!

Based on write ups here, have replaced ignition switch, battery, multi function switch to no avail. Clicking coming from behind the two large circuit breaker looking things under steering wheel on left side. Am at wits end. Wondering if you guys have any ideas. Am in a place where I am loathe to take it to a local mechanic.

Sure do appreciate it. Thanks.

 

[luckyse7ens]

its pretty clear to me that whoever installed your remote start ****ed up. Have you tried removing that system?

 

[Ben Richards]

i keep coming back to the fact that it used to work - but after being shipped overseas, these problems appeared, and then got worse...

honestly i'm not sure i could uninstall it, but i could try. any pointers?

 

[bdalameda]

Being that this occurred after shipping that is another variable. Did you have the ECU re-flashed by the dealer after the problems started? This will reset everything back to original state and may solve the issues. I would also methodically go through all the major electrical connectors and pull apart and re-seat them. Perhaps one was not fully engaged and the car was set-down hard during shipment and came loose. Just some thoughts. Sounds like the ECU is either corrupted or a bad connection.

 

[Ben Richards]

Bad news. I flashed the ECU, reconnected everything, and the problem persists. I cut out the auto starter (it was soldered into the wiring) and...the problem persists. Am now completely out of ideas.

There are two big harnesses that snap into place under the steering wheel at about the drivers left knee. Behind the top one is where I hear the clicking as if the car is trying to start itself or something. You can also hear the clicking in the power distribution center under the hood. It is a separate noise, however, coming from the number 32 fuse (I think that is the number - it's the top one of the four black fuses in a row). Remove that fuse and it stops clicking, but the clicking under the steering wheel continues.

Don't be shy - please offer any ideas you have. Thanks.

 

[rblapham]

The circuit panel under the dash just left of the steering wheel is the Junction Block (JB), it has 3 plugs - 2 front and one rear. I'll post instructions and picture. A lot of the jeeps functions are on that part. Cost of new was about $150 - just search for Commander Junction Block - Not saying this is your problem, just a possibility. You might try reseating the 3rd plug on the other side of the JB

 

[Creek]

Moderator, The information in the previous post should be made a sticky or stored somewhere for future reference.

 

[XK Lover]

The "black fuses" you are referencing are actually relays. They click you hear is them switching between the N.O.(normally open) to the N.C.(normally closed) positions and vice versa.

 

[luckyse7ens]

The "black fuses" you are referencing are actually relays. They click you hear is them switching between the N.O.(normally open) to the N.C.(normally closed) positions and vice versa.

Definitely. in this case, clicking is a good thing, it means the relays are likely working properly.

 

[LuvMyCommander]

Here's a thought that might be a bit far-fetched- could it have been exposed to radiation? For example, some sort of x-ray machine or scanner? Did it have to pass some sort of inspection during shipping that might've damaged the computer? Sounds like you're running out of ideas. Hope you can remedy the problem soon. Keep us posted.

 

[Ben Richards]

thank you very much for the comments.

took a look at the junction block and everything appeared in order - connections were good. appreciate the thought about a fried computer - that is absolutely possible, and i will pass it along to the mechanic.

speaking of, i am resigned to hand it over to a mechanic. we're out of town for a few days, but i will do so when we return and let you guys know.

again thanks, and let me know if anything else occurs to you!