New owner questions

[JoeTheCarGuy]

I just bought a 2003 Sahara last week, and it has some issues. First there are a couple of open electrical connectors under the hood that I don't know where they go or what they're supposed to go to. This connector is on the passenger side of the engine down close to the oil filter area.

Any tips are appreciated.

Joe

 

[CodaMan]

I haven't had a chance to look at mine yet, but most times it's just the wiring for an option that wasn't installed. If you don't have a Check Engine Light (CEL) at least we know it's not a critical connector. It could be for the under hood light that wasn't installed or something. I'll look under my hood when I get a chance today and see if I can match it up.

 

[CodaMan]

What other issues are you having?

 

[JoeTheCarGuy]

What other issues are you having?

Multiple ODB codes, P0505, P0135,P0201, P0158, P0138, P0141,P0161.
Engine running hot.
Tail light/brake light issues.
And this unplugged connector on the drivers side front of the engine area.
**EDIT** I figured out that this plug is to the A/C compressor that has been disconnected due to needing the condenser replaced.
Also, a portion of the fan shroud is broken,

Is that bad enough to cause an overheating issue?

Thanks!
Joe

 

[JP98]

Code P0505 : Start by checking out this thread https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/how-to-clean-your-iac-idle-air-controller-valve.662/

 

[JP98]

As for the rest, it looks like you may be having a catalytic converter issue. That would explain overheating and O2 issues.

 

[CodaMan]

It looks like you have a bunch of O2 Sensor codes, an IAC code and a Cylinder 1 Injector Circuit code.

First off, make sure all the O2 sensors are connected, maybe even reseat the connectors for them.

Then follow these instructions and clean your IAC — https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/how-to-clean-your-iac-idle-air-controller-valve.662/

For the misfire, also try reseating the connector for injector #1.

With all the connectors you're touching, take a good look at them and all the wiring you can see and look for anything out of the ordinary.

The shroud shouldn't be causing overheating, so something else must be wrong. Tell us how it overheats.

 

[CodaMan]

Yes!, as @JP98 said, it could easily be a catalytic converter, causing the O2 codes, but I like to look at the easy and free stuff first.

 

[JoeTheCarGuy]

The seller stated that the CELs were from the previous owner removing the cat. But I looked underneath and it looks to me like the cats are in place. Two on the down pipes from exhaust manifold and a single down stream, kinda covered by the skid plate. But there's been some sort of work done in that area, some welding and such.

I'm not familiar with how it supposed to look under there to really tell if things look right.

Thanks!
Joe

 

[Chris]

With the amount of miles you have, there's no way you could have the stock catalytic converters and have them still be okay. Most of those codes are related to the catalytic converter / O2 sensors.

If it was me, I would do some preventative maintenance here in all honesty. Get all new NGK O2 sensors (see here: The Official Jeep Wrangler TJ Oxygen (O2) Sensor Thread), get new pre-cats (you can get them here for a good price: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VKXBLE/?tag=wranglerorg-20).

Normally I wouldn't just start replacing things, but with the mileage you have and the amount of codes, I'm willing to bet money that new O2 sensors and pre-cats will solve a lot of it.

Also, as someone mentioned earlier, clean out your IAC following this thread: How to clean your IAC (Idle Air Controller) valve

 

[EJD]

I just bought a 2003 Sahara last week, and it has some issues. First there are a couple of open electrical connectors under the hood that I don't know where they go or what they're supposed to go to. This connector is on the passenger side of the engine down close to the oil filter area.

Isn't that the Camshaft Position Sensor? I think it's the only plug in connector in front of the oil filter, I would clean them out with some of that CRC Electrical Connector spray, and connect the pieces back together...unless the sensor is bad, it will need replacing and its very easy to do your self. If that plug goes behind the oil filter, it is most likely the Crankshaft Position Sensor, that sensor has a wiring pigtail that goes behind the engine and connects to its sensor at the top of the bell housing. (A little trickier to access but still very doable for a novice).

 

[JoeTheCarGuy]

Isn't that the Camshaft Position Sensor? I think it's the only plug in connector in front of the oil filter, I would clean them out with some of that CRC Electrical Connector spray, and connect the pieces back together...unless the sensor is bad, it will need replacing and its very easy to do your self. If that plug goes behind the oil filter, it is most likely the Crankshaft Position Sensor, that sensor has a wiring pigtail that goes behind the engine and connects to its sensor at the top of the bell housing. (A little trickier to access but still very doable for a novice).

I'm not certain but I don't think that it's the cam position sensor since none of the CEL /OBD codes reflected that. But, I could be wrong. I'll look more closely when I get home.

Joe

 

[JP98]

I'm not certain but I don't think that it's the cam position sensor since none of the CEL /OBD codes reflected that. But, I could be wrong. I'll look more closely when I get home.

Joe

It shouldn't start if the cam position sensor is unplugged.

 

[EJD]

I'll look more closely when I get home.

Joe

Try taking the same photo but zoom out a little more so we can see the surrounding area better.
Or can you follow that wiring pigtail back to where its coming from a little more and take a pic of where its coming from?

 

[JoeTheCarGuy]

It's a four wire connector, tan with a white tracer, **edit**purple with a red or orange tracer, black with a light blue tracer and solid black.

Cam sensor is plugged up, crank sensor is plugged up, engine compartment light is plugged up.

 

[JoeTheCarGuy]

With the amount of miles you have, there's no way you could have the stock catalytic converters and have them still be okay. Most of those codes are related to the catalytic converter / O2 sensors.

If it was me, I would do some preventative maintenance here in all honesty. Get all new NGK O2 sensors (see here: The Official Jeep Wrangler TJ Oxygen (O2) Sensor Thread), get new pre-cats (you can get them here for a good price: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VKXBLE/?tag=wranglerorg-20).

Normally I wouldn't just start replacing things, but with the mileage you have and the amount of codes, I'm willing to bet money that new O2 sensors and pre-cats will solve a lot of it.

Also, as someone mentioned earlier, clean out your IAC following this thread: How to clean your IAC (Idle Air Controller) valve

Theoretically speaking, could I delete the existing cats and buy a tuner to mask that and then program the proper fuel mix ratio and timing into system? If so, would that possibly help with overheating issue?

Joe

 

[Chris]

Theoretically speaking, could I delete the existing cats and buy a tuner to mask that and then program the proper fuel mix ratio and timing into system? If so, would that possibly help with overheating issue?

Joe

Nope, it won't work. There is no tuner out there that can do that with our TJs unfortunately. If you do delete the cats, it will never run right and you'll never get rid of the check engine light for the catalytic converter codes.

 

[JoeTheCarGuy]

Nope, it won't work. There is no tuner out there that can do that with our TJs unfortunately. If you do delete the cats, it will never run right and you'll never get rid of the check engine light for the catalytic converter codes.

Understood. Thanks.
I visited rockauto.com and gathered up all four O2 sensors, both front and rear cats for $583. Just need to pull the trigger on them. Honestly the codes nor the CEL bother me, but if the jacked up engine setting caused by the cats and O2's are causing the overheating I need to just go ahead and do it.

 

[Chris]

Understood. Thanks.
I visited rockauto.com and gathered up all four O2 sensors, both front and rear cats for $583. Just need to pull the trigger on them. Honestly the codes nor the CEL bother me, but if the jacked up engine setting caused by the cats and O2's are causing the overheating I need to just go ahead and do it.

Make sure they are the NGK sensors I linked to in that other post, or you'll likely have issues. Our Jeeps are known for that!

Bad pre-cats can definitely cause overheating, as well as a host of other issues.

 

[JoeTheCarGuy]

Make sure they are the NGK sensors I linked to in that other post, or you'll likely have issues. Our Jeeps are known for that!

Bad pre-cats can definitely cause overheating, as well as a host of other issues.

Yes sir, Thanks for the link. I speced out the NTK's and Walker 53461 and 16190 Ultra Converters.