Need help diagnosing Liberty problems - just purchased

[ezatnova]

1065783

I just bought a 2002 Liberty limited two days ago, it has 18k miles. I have noticed two problems, one which concerns me more. The lesser one is that when the wheel is turned significantly (like for a real turn, not a lane change) the steering column area squeeks fairly loudly. If I repeadly turn the wheel it won't do it again. I have to wait and let it "sit" in a straight position for a minute or so, then when I turn it, it squeeks again. It does it for both left and right.
The other problem is that when the car is stopped and in gear, it stumbles a bit and you can hear and feel the engine missing or cutting out a bit. If you try to crawl slowly using the brake, like 1-3 mph the truck bucks because of this surgence in power. It seems even worse in reverse. Once it is moving, or the car is in Park, the problem stops, which makes me think it is "solved" when the revs go up a bit.
I'm taking it back to the dealer ASAP, but I'm sure some of you know more than the people at the dealer, so I wanted to try for some feedback first.

Thanks!
Jeff

[addsig]

 

[Tug-n-pull]

1065819

Welcome to Jeepz. Liberty you say not to many Liberty owners around here. What are going to do with the new Jeep, is it just a daily drive or are you planning to take it out and play from time to time? All Jeeps need a good dose of dirt from time to time you know, with out a bit of mudd they will start to show signs of depression and some times go into a coma! Just kidding. I have see a couple of pics of some Libertys that are very nicely modified into real trail machines.

Squeak from the steering coloum sounds like it just has a tight seal or something rubbing as you turn it if you could fine it a little lube of some sort would most likely sove the problem. The slugish problem is best left to the dealer to fix for now as far as that goes the squeak as well. Tug[addsig]

 

[ezatnova]

1065838

Tug,
The Liberty is a daily driver for the wife. She wanted a small car, I wanted a truck so it came down to the Escape/Tribute or the Jeep. We both liked the interior and exterior of the Jeep better, and Chrysler's certified pre-owned warranty seems good (and I may need it! gulp)
Believe me, if it were up to me, I'd have the thing muddy, but I have to get it out of her hands first. I'm trying to find some nice unpaved roads around me, but I'm not having much luck. I'm not looking for any major rockcrawling with this thing!

Well, I'm off to the dealer tomorrow. I sure hope they can fix this stuff.
[addsig]

 

[ezatnova]

1065844

Well, it just threw a check engine light (after only 2 days, I LOVE chrysler!). It's a P0306 which means a misfire in cylinder 6. I want a new engine! Actually, I might just return the thing since I have a 5 day return policy from the dealer.
[addsig]

 

[bluebelle]

1065915

there's a fairly lengthy troubleshooting process that includes several sensors, parts, etc that may cause what you're decribing engine-wise.

as for the steering column making noise - that's not cool and will drive you nuts - not worth the stress.

what did the dealer tell you was the problem? i would jump on that five day deal and aske them to make it perfect (it is brand new, more or less) or get something else.

problems at the onset is never a good way to start a relationship with cars or women.

trust me.

blue[addsig]

 

[dingus]

1065919

yeah, take it to the dealer and raise hell... make 'em fix it or just return the thing. its not worth getting a new (compared to others) car like that that has so many problems. [addsig]

 

[ezatnova]

1066239

Well, the dealer fixed it first thing Saturday morning (in one hour...they knew I was pissed). They said the spark plugs were "not like they should be" and replaced all 6, but apparently the cylinder 6 plug was bad enough to not be firing. I guess the 5 mpg and gas coming out of the exhaust pipe makes sense now.
SOooo, the misfiring is gone for now. I'm just concerned about what CAUSED the plug(s) to go bad... or was it just a random bad plug. They don't seem to want to think there is any mysterious root cause like a bad firing injector or bad ECM signals.
They said they lubricated the steering joint that was making the noise, but it still squeeks more than ever. I'm bringing it back Thursday for that, plus, the truck still bucks a bit when you barely come off the brakes and move. I can't tell whether it's the engine pulsing slightly or the brake rotors are a hair uneven...although the papers said they shaved them during their inspection process.
[addsig]

 

[dibabeedi]

1066923

Well, it just threw a check engine light (after only 2 days, I LOVE chrysler!). It's a P0306 which means a misfire in cylinder 6. I want a new engine! Actually, I might just return the thing since I have a 5 day return policy from the dealer.

ok, if P0306 means a misfire in cylinder 6, can I infer that P0302 is a misfire in cylinder 2? That is the code that I get on my 1999 Grand Cherokee. Can anyone lend any insight?

thanks muchly[addsig]

 

[dingus]

1066929

ok, if P0306 means a misfire in cylinder 6, can I infer that P0302 is a misfire in cylinder 2? That is the code that I get on my 1999 Grand Cherokee. Can anyone lend any insight?

thanks muchly

possibly, pull out your spark plugs and check 'em out. a buddy of mine has a '01 grand cherokee V8 and he just replaced his spark plugs, said they were ALL bad, now it runs like new.

-nate[addsig]