2005 Rubicon P0016 error code and OPDA Trouble

[robsam]

This is my first post and I have read many posts on OPDA.

I have a 2005 Rubicon with 120,000 miles. Last year I rebuilt the engine and decided to install a comp cam that is consider Stage 2 the model number is COM 163-002-5. At the same time I noticed excessive wear on the OPDA and the cam so I bought the Dorman OPDA from Oreily's, all this started due to the Jeep constantly just dying on me. It was diagnosed that my ECM was bad. The ECM was not sending signal to inyector no. 1 so I ended up buying a rebuilt ECM from flagship1.

After putting everything together and exchanging 2 ECM's it finally started. My problem has been that since I got it about 2000 miles ago every 200 or 300 miles the Jeep either goes into limp mode and it doesn't go past 2,500 rpm's or it starts backfiring and has no power until eventually it stops working. Every time this happens I read the error codes and I get P0016. the way I been fixing it is by either removing and re-installing the cam sensor and on the worst days I have to remove and re-install the OPDA. I have used at times the same OPDA and I have even bought a new cam sensor made by MOPAR.

At this time I don't know what else to do because every time I go thru the process the Jeep works fine and has no issues. can you all recommend me something to do? besides getting rid of the Rubicon? I am to the point where I cant even drive it to work because I am afraid of getting stranded, unfortunately it is my daily driver.

 

[TJ Hunnicutt]

Wow, I guess nobody had any brilliant thoughts on your issue.
I guess I'd ask if, when this happens, simply disconnecting the battery overnight has any effect. If so, it may be your ECM losing its mind. Perhaps a salvage yard ECM would be able to answer that.
The only other thing that's pops into mind (not including a possible flaky sensor somewhere) would be an intermittent connection on something. I'd take a weekend and a tube of dielectric grease and go through every electrical connector I could find. Unplug, check for corrosion and clean if necessary, then glob up the female side with the grease and plug back in (I tend to unplug and replug them 2 or 3 times just to get the grease distributed and to help clean the contacts). Don't forget any ground wires as well.
Final thoughts; does there appear to be any pattern to when the failures occur? Hot or cold weather, dry or humid or rain? Long hours of driving? Anything that seems common to the failure instances.

 

[Chris]

Whatever your issue is, it sounds like it's something obviously electronic related (i.e. sensors or PCM). I say that because if it was a mechanical issue, it likely would't just come and go, it would just fail altogether.

One thing I will say is that I've never read about anything but trouble with performance camshafts and these engines. If your PCM hasn't been tuned to expect that cam, there is a good chance it's not running the way it should.

Have you replaced both the crank and camshaft sensors with OE Mopar replacements?

Are you sure the timing is accurate after having replaced the OPDA and the camshaft?

 

[robsam]

As an update, nothing has been resolved.....

I replaced last week the camshaft, OPDA, and timming chain. Once the jeep starts it will work fine one day, then the following day it goes into limp mode. In order to get it out of limp mode the battery needs to be unpluged for 10 minutes then the jeep starts right up with no issues for the rest of that day. But on the following morning I get the same problem again, the jeep goes into limp mode. There is no actual pattern on it. The error code I am getting now is P0344. I have replaced the PCM from Flagship one but I just cant get anyone from them to replace it. My mechanic keeps telling me its a bad PCM. anyone has a good contact at Flagship one? or a place where they can rebuild my old PCM?

 

[TJ2]

We need the Guru here. This is way above my head. Very Interesting issue.

 

[twistedlv]

One of the principals for FS1 posts here, and has been very helpful in the past. His name escapes me at the moment maybe @Chris will chime in. In the meantime check all of your grounds......twice!

 

[skrelnik]

Can you check to see if the OPDA is clocked properly? @Chris has a great thread on it, see below.

Previously my Jeep was stalling at red lights and stop signs, turns out it was the timing. The OPDA needed to be adjusted. Since you swapped in a new OPDA, sensors and timing chain, this could be the issue.

Electrical is another concern and you should check the harness connections at the PCM, and also the connector from the harness to the cam/crank sensors. Bad grounds cause bad things.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/how-to-change-your-opda.79/

 

[Chris]

One of the principals for FS1 posts here, and has been very helpful in the past. His name escapes me at the moment maybe @Chris will chime in. In the meantime check all of your grounds......twice!

@wrangler6035 is the guy from FS1.

 

[logistixz]

I'd check the cam/crank difference at first, make sure its as close as possible to 0. After that check the wiring as previously said, just verify continuity between the CMP connector and the pins on the connector at the ECM. If all those check out it very well could just be the OPDA itself for whatever reason.