Is it worth buying a 2005 Wrangler with a check engine light?

[WranglerTJ05]

Hey guys,


I am looking to buy a good friend's 05 Wrangler (100k miles) for a great price and considerably under book value. We did notice today the check engine light came on. Unfortunately, due to unique time constraints, he has to get rid of the car in less than a week. In terms of major issues that could cause the engine light to come on, what am I looking at?


With this price, as long as it is not anything major >$2.5k then I would consider buying it still.



Please advise

 

[pkugrsq]

The CEL could mean a world of things. Next time you see the Jeep, flip the ignition to on and back to off 3 times without turning the engine. So, On - off - on - off- on.

Then it'll read the codes the CEL is producing.

 

[Chris]

Pull the codes and see what they say.

So easy to do that you literally have no excuse not to.

 

[Roadrash74]

Without knowing anything else about it I'm willing to bet its a evaporative emission system leak detected of some sort. Take it to Autozone and they'll pull the code for you for free.

 

[HYRYSC]

LOL, my Heep has had the check engine light on it since I bought it. Chased that gremlin for a while, still on, runs fine, so meh!

YMMV

 

[Irun]

At that price you can fix most anything and still be ahead of the game. What part of the country are you in? Asking because rust could be your enemy, or not, depending on where you are. You also didn't mention whether it's a 4 or 6 cylinder. This would be a factor to consider as well.

 

[RMETeeJay]

As said, it depends. However, depending on where you live it could be something that you'd have to deal with immediately (e.g. to pass emissions). 05 and 06 are known to be potentially bad years for PCM issues but your code could be something relatively simple.

 

[WranglerTJ05]

Thanks for the replies! So he just did the test and got the following:

PO0700
Transmission Control System Malfunction


thoughts?

 

[Irun]

Sounds like a PCM problem. As was said earlier, the '05 to '06 models are known for this issue. The good news, assuming it's the computer, Wrangler Fix has a solution though!

https://wranglerfix.com/product/tj-wrangler-pcms/
Obviously, more work would be required to identify the real problem, before replacing the PCM.

 

[Ephry73]

If the frame is good and you trust your friend and his jeep, for the price it isn't too bad. It all really depends on the issue really. But if YOU feel for $2k or around the jeep is worth it and have some mechanical skill, I say go for it.

 

[Westtown Willy]

 

[MutantNinjaTJ]

Sounds like a PCM problem

This could be a problem especially if it has an automatic tranny, there is a fix but not sure how much or how good the fix is. Stand by, you will be informed here shortly I'm sure.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Sounds like a PCM problem. As was said earlier, the '05 to '06 models are known for this issue. The good news, assuming it's the computer, Wrangler Fix has a solution though!

https://wranglerfix.com/product/tj-wrangler-pcms/
Obviously, more work would be required to identify the real problem, before replacing the PCM.

X2, give Wranglerfix.com a call and talk it over with them. It's entirely possible for it to be nothing more than a bad PCM.

BUT a P0700 is just a generic transmission problem code which could indicate anything from it needs mechanical work inside to something simple like a bad PCM. When my '04 gave me a P0700 code I had to use my aftermarket external code reader to get the codes down below that code to find the underlying codes. I ended up having to open up my transmission and replace a couple parts.

 

[DuncLJ]

I got a P0700 code a few weeks ago. Turned out to be the input speed sensor. $25 for a new sensor = fixed.

 

[pagrey]

With this price, as long as it is not anything major >$2.5k then I would consider buying it still.

A P0700 code could be a $2.5K repair bill easy. I'd be very careful. It is probably the worst possible code you can get as far as how expensive the repair could be. Sure it could be $25 to fix but it could also be allot worse.

 

[DuncLJ]

A P0700 code could be a $2.5K repair bill easy. I'd be very careful. It is probably the worst possible code you can get as far as how expensive the repair could be. Sure it could be $25 to fix but it could also be allot worse.

This is true, there is quite a disparity between best case and worst case when it comes to automatic transmissions.