Engine and power stopping randomly or at turns on 2006 Wrangler

[ridingthethugjeeps]

This has been an ongoing issue for awhile and it started with the car jerking when given gas when highway speeds are in play. I get a camshaft position sensor error code and I have replaced the sensor and that seemed to work for like a day or two but the problem showed up again. Now recently the car will just shut down whenever i do turns or even just randomly. Sometimes when idling the car will stumble at times and start to rev itself, this issue also happens at stop lights as well. Disconnecting the battery and the sensor seem to work for a little bit while driving but the code would show up after a little while or if i brake hard or hit a hard bump. It’s not a constant issue for example if I leave my car sitting for awhile and come back it’ll work but the car will start having the issues once again. Was thinking bad sensor but now im thinking it’s some wiring harness. Kind of stumped.



Issue

Issue

 

[Cooper Smith]

This has been an ongoing issue for awhile and it started with the car jerking when given gas when highway speeds are in play. I get a camshaft position sensor error code and I have replaced the sensor and that seemed to work for like a day or two but the problem showed up again. Now recently the car will just shut down whenever i do turns or even just randomly. Sometimes when idling the car will stumble at times and start to rev itself, this issue also happens at stop lights as well. Disconnecting the battery and the sensor seem to work for a little bit while driving but the code would show up after a little while or if i brake hard or hit a hard bump. It’s not a constant issue for example if I leave my car sitting for awhile and come back it’ll work but the car will start having the issues once again. Was thinking bad sensor but now im thinking it’s some wiring harness. Kind of stumped.



Issue

Issue

05-06 have notoriously bad PCMs, many times the symptoms are O2 sensor codes and random stalling. Take a hammer (not too hard) hit the PCM in the center, does the engine die? Wranglerfix can test them and offer replacement options.

The automatic transmission PCM's fail a lot more frequently too, and yours is an auto...

It revving itself is interesting. Have you replaced the sensor with an OEM one? You can't use aftermarket sensors. They don't have the proper tolerances and won't work.

 

[ridingthethugjeeps]

Was aware of the PCM’s causing issues on those models but would that explain the camshaft sensor code consistently being thrown at me at times?

 

[Cooper Smith]

Was aware of the PCM’s causing issues on those models but would that explain the camshaft sensor code consistently being thrown at me at times?

I can't tell you if the PCM is bad, because there are other potential factors like a non-OEM sensor that has improper tolerances the PCM looks for. All I can do is tell you that these (PCM's) are a very common failure in 05-06 Wranglers, and point you to the guy who can test them. Failed PCM's can do interesting things, but stalling randomly is one of the biggest symptoms. That's all I can say, I can't diagnose it definitively.

What sensor did you put in the Jeep? The exact one.

 

[ridingthethugjeeps]

I can't tell you if the PCM is bad, because there are other potential factors like a non-OEM sensor that has improper tolerances the PCM looks for. All I can do is tell you that these (PCM's) are a very common failure in 05-06 Wranglers, and point you to the guy who can test them. Failed PCM's can do interesting things, but stalling randomly is one of the biggest symptoms. That's all I can say, I can't diagnose it definitively.

What sensor did you put in the Jeep? The exact one.

First it was a duralast sensor, now it’s a NAPA brand. I own a Autel Maxicom MK900-BT and i’m not too used to it, would there be something I could look for to isolate the issue? In live data or other? I know NAPA probably wasn’t the way to go lol, thanks.

 

[Cooper Smith]

First it was a duralast sensor, now it’s a NAPA brand. I own a Autel Maxicom MK900-BT and i’m not too used to it, would there be something I could look for to isolate the issue? In live data or other? I know NAPA probably wasn’t the way to go lol, thanks.

I would replace it with an OEM sensor.

Duralast is a big no-no. That's a "I need to get this car back up for work tomorrow" last resort, and even then, you should order a better part at the same time. I had a Duralast TPS fail on my TJ in less than 8 months.

 

[ridingthethugjeeps]

I would replace it with an OEM sensor.

Damn, alright.

 

[ridingthethugjeeps]

I did forget to mention the older sensor that was installed was installed by a service tech when the previous owner owned the jeep and that one was giving me issues too not sure if that one was OEM.

 

[Cooper Smith]

I did forget to mention the older sensor that was installed was installed by a service tech and that one was giving me issues too not sure if that one was OEM

Check the invoice, it probably has a part number on it.

 

[JKP]

Check wiring that goes over the dipstick.

Have you pulled and checked the OPDA for gear and shaft wear/binding? If the tone wheel is wobbling, it can cause issues.

Shutting off while driving and the gauges dropping out are the PCM. Hard shifting on the AT as well.

 

[ridingthethugjeeps]

Check the invoice, it probably has a part number on it.

I don’t see any part number on the invoice but was also wondering where to get a MOPAR cam sensor since they discontinued it. Would NGK be a good alternative?

 

[macleanflood]

My Napa Echlin crank sensor has been flawless for 2 years or so.

I'd think a NGK would be a good choice. I've had good luck with Standard Motor Products too.

-Mac

 

[ridingthethugjeeps]

I also noticed when my car does a rumbling type thing in idle the lights on my instrument cluster dim and brighten slightly every time it does it. Does that mean anything as well? I’m buying a new cam sensor as well.

 

[adventureboss]

Do you have a manual? When my PCM went bad (I have a manual), I didn't get the typical O2 sensor codes which apparently the automatic PCMs get as they are failing. I did however get cam and crank codes if I remember correctly. I *think* I was told that if you tap the PCM lightly with a hammer when the engine is warm and the Jeep stalls out, PCM is bad. I could be misremembering though.

Would also check if your battery terminals are tight and clean, I've had all sorts of issues when my clamps were bad.

The other thing I would maybe do is check and see if there's any way the OPDA got knocked? It's only held on with one bolt and I accidentally wacked mine once when replacing the passenger engine mount and it caused a no start condition until I figured it out. Maybe check that the bolt is tight?

Also I don't think the rumbling at idle thing and your gauge lights dimming really means anything, I think it just means that the alternator isn't putting out as much voltage when the engine is stumbling around like that. Mine does the same when the A/C compressor kicks in. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong though.