The Pitfalls of Owning an Early Model Jeep

Exaviator

Exaviator

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I have a low kilometers 2004 Grand Cherokee Laredo (136K) and have been very happy with the vehicle, until now!

Recently the control panel on the driver's door stopped functioning. No central locking or window operation. An auto electrician confirmed that the Body Control Module - BCM - had failed. My local dealer, here in Australia, confirmed that they could source a new module ($600) but here's the kicker, whilst they could install it, they couldn't program it, because their Jeep computer scanner doesn't work on older models, even though it is OBD2 compliant. It will not read the codes, and doesn't have the software to re-program. I contacted Jeep Australia and and a couple of other dealers and received the same answer.

After 10 years, you are abandoned when it comes to maintenance. Needless to say, I just can't believe what I am being told. Any suggestions would be welcomed.
 
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Check out independent garages or look on a Jeep forum or ebsy for the OBD2 with the correct software. Most likely you’ll find an independent garage that can fix you up.

I owned a couple of Jeep Wranglers and after they went out of warranty I started using a local garage.

I now own 2 Mini Coopers and they’re both out of warranty. My neighbor actually owns a local garage and is a certified and factory trained Mini Mechanic. He does all my service now.

I actually bought the correct OBD and Bimmee App and have reprogrammed my computer myself. I found it was pretty easy. You could probably find the correct OBD from one of the Jeep parts houses and they could direct you to the correct software for your model. There is a ton of Jeep parts and such on line.
 
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Exaviator said:
I have a low kilometers 2004 Grand Cherokee Laredo (136K) and have been very happy with the vehicle, until now!

Recently the control panel on the driver's door stopped functioning. No central locking or window operation. An auto electrician confirmed that the Body Control Module - BCM - had failed. My local dealer, here in Australia, confirmed that they could source a new module ($600) but here's the kicker, whilst they could install it, they couldn't program it, because their Jeep computer scanner doesn't work on older models, even though it is OBD2 compliant. It will not read the codes, and doesn't have the software to re-program. I contacted Jeep Australia and and a couple of other dealers and received the same answer.

After 10 years, you are abandoned when it comes to maintenance. Needless to say, I just can't believe what I am being told. Any suggestions would be welcomed.
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Not just Jeep is doing it. BMW Motorcycles has a long list of dealers who can't/won't work on the older bikes. Many riders report the 10 yr cut-off point.

Software on a car is awful for the reasons you described. Aside from yanking one off of a wrecked car, You only have two options as I see it.

1) Yank out the box & maybe go with an aftermarket system? No clue if one will run your tranny & shift points. That's where you're going to have to do your homework beforehand.

2) Find someone who can hack to re-program the newly purchased BCM. Shouldn't be too hard, run an ad in a university paper offering cash for the job.

Jeeps are world-wide. Buy the box on-line, a used one, is what I'd try first.
 
Yes, not just Jeep. Had a similar issue recently on a 2006 Hyundai Azera I bought new that only had 67,000 miles on it. I got an airbag light and the code said "defective passenger seat belt tensioner". The dealer advised that the part (an explosive device) is no longer available, and even if it were, they no longer had the equipment to reprogram the system.
 
Start hunting the salvage yards. Chances are that the part you need is already gone, but you might get lucky.

I agree. I don’t know why a BCM would need programming.
 
Before you do a computer swap check the wiring inside the boot between the door and the chassis. A broken wire inside that boot may be the issue. The opening and closing of the doors over the years flex and snap some of those wires. When that happens, the door operated window controls and locks will stop working. This can happen on either front door. I own the exact same Jeep and have repaired this a half dozen times over the years.
 
Mine is a 95 Wrangler............ Newest I've owned was a 98 model.
 
Mine was a 1946 CJ2.
I remember that one of its problems was the vacuum driven windshield wiper didn't work most of the time. (Note I said "wiper" not "wipers") I was stationed on the Gulf Coast at the time, so plenty of rain and found it easier to just fold the windshield down during a storm....
 
Thank you Guys, for all of your suggestions which I will certainly be looking into further. Re the suggestion to source a second hand BCM, there are a couple online, but my Jeep dealer advises that once installed, a used one would not recognise the Vin number and wouldn't work without re-programing, so back to square one...
 
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