Major steering issue problem with JL Wrangler. Please watch

[Jeepsterfreak]

This sounds very serious.

Anyone experiencing this steering problem should report it to the NHTSA.

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/

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[Optica8]

Seems like the "freezing up" issue is only on Rubicons. Why would that be the case? Isn't the same steering system used on all JLs?

I have the same issue with mine and I have a Sport S.

 

[HiJinx69]

I would like to know if others can replicate this. When the engine is cold and in park, I can jerk the steering wheel back and forth quickly and it moves very smoothly, no noises. Once the engine is running at full operating temperature and I jerk the steering wheel back and forth, there is a clunking noise coming from the steering motor/linkage and comes through the steering wheel. Those of you who have experienced problems, check it out and let me know if you notice this. Thanks! By the way, it helps to stick your head out the window to hear the noise when checking for it.

 

[JeepCares]

I have the same issue with mine and I have a Sport S.

I would like to know if others can replicate this. When the engine is cold and in park, I can jerk the steering wheel back and forth quickly and it moves very smoothly, no noises. Once the engine is running at full operating temperature and I jerk the steering wheel back and forth, there is a clunking noise coming from the steering motor/linkage and comes through the steering wheel. Those of you who have experienced problems, check it out and let me know if you notice this. Thanks! By the way, it helps to stick your head out the window to hear the noise when checking for it.

Hi Optica8 and HiJinx69,
We would like to make sure we document this further and offer our assistance should either of you choose to work with your dealer. Please send us a private message with additional details if this is something you are interested in.
Julie
Jeep Social Care Specialist

 

[Optica8]

Hi Optica8 and HiJinx69,
We would like to make sure we document this further and offer our assistance should either of you choose to work with your dealer. Please send us a private message with additional details if this is something you are interested in.
Julie
Jeep Social Care Specialist

Hi,

I have sent private messages but haven't heard back from you yet.

 

[HiJinx69]

Hi Optica8 and HiJinx69,
We would like to make sure we document this further and offer our assistance should either of you choose to work with your dealer. Please send us a private message with additional details if this is something you are interested in.
Julie
Jeep Social Care Specialist

Already sent you a private message, still waiting for further assistance.

 

[Jeepsterfreak]

Any mechanics or engineers here that can explain this phenomena?

From what I understand, the JL steering is still traditional like the JK other than an electric powered steering pump.

Would a loss of hydraulic pressure cause these symptoms, like maybe the electric motor is stopping randomly?

Could a locked steering wheel be caused by the rotary valve in the steering box malfunctioning? Maybe hydraulic pressure is being exerted in both right and left rotation at the same time? Not sure why this would be intermittent and only at certain speeds.

 

[COBill]

It sounds more like the stability control isn't allowing the steering to make changes it thinks will unsettle the vehicle, but that would imply some sort of fly-by-wire control as in an Airbus (an Airbus will refuse to perform a maneuver the pilots tell it to if the computers feel it would cause problems with the aircraft.)

Curious, to be sure.

 

[JeepCares]

Hi,
I have sent private messages but haven't heard back from you yet.

I see that you have been communicating with Jasmine on this, Optica8. Please know that we do answer all private message in the order in which they are received and apologize that we have not followed up on your most recent response yet.

Already sent you a private message, still waiting for further assistance.

HiJinx69 - I have located your PM and responded. Sorry for the delay!

Julie
Jeep Social Care Specialist

 

[Glamisfan]

Any mechanics or engineers here that can explain this phenomena?

From what I understand, the JL steering is still traditional like the JK other than an electric powered steering pump.

Would a loss of hydraulic pressure cause these symptoms, like maybe the electric motor is stopping randomly?

Could a locked steering wheel be caused by the rotary valve in the steering box malfunctioning? Maybe hydraulic pressure is being exerted in both right and left rotation at the same time? Not sure why this would be intermittent and only at certain speeds.

In a traditional system, loss of fluid or pressure won’t make it lock up. Although, it seems like I remember having air bubbles in one year’s ago and it locking up?

I’ve been wondering if something is not machined right in the steering box?

It can’t be the front locker engaging because it’s happened on a sport.

This is the first electric/hydraulic system I believe, so what’s different in the plumbing between the pump and steering box?

 

[pittperson]

This should be stickied. Can we gather a range of VINs?

 

[Jeepsterfreak]

It sounds more like the stability control isn't allowing the steering to make changes it thinks will unsettle the vehicle, but that would imply some sort of fly-by-wire control as in an Airbus (an Airbus will refuse to perform a maneuver the pilots tell it to if the computers feel it would cause problems with the aircraft.)

Curious, to be sure.

I don’t think the JL has this type of system. AFAIK the stability control only affects brake and throttle input. I don’t think it has any interaction with the steering components but not certain.

 

[knick33]

I have 2k miles and it started 2 weeks ago. The first time it happened it was after an hour drive with temps in the 80s. The steering sticks and you feel a pop when you steer, almost like it was jammed. Once I parked and took the car out a few hours later the issue went away. It happened again today and it had to turn hard to get it to pop. Going to take it to the dealership but I can’t replicate it all the time.

 

[Equinox]

I don’t think the JL has this type of system. AFAIK the stability control only affects brake and throttle input. I don’t think it has any interaction with the steering components but not certain.

You are correct about the stability control. However, this does not appear to be an issue related to the stability control system. It is an issue with the ECU/software which controls the power steering. Snippet from here: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...teering-and-telescoping-steering-column.1197/

"With Electro-Hydraulic Power Steering (EHPS), improved fuel efficiency can be achieved by activating the steering motor only when the driver is steering. Also, the system draws power from an electric motor and not the engine directly.

Another added advantage to EHPS over hydraulic system is that the electric motor is operated and controlled by the ECU unit which controls the motor very precisely by accurately monitoring the steering force, vehicle speed and steering angle."

 

[COBill]

Another added advantage to EHPS over hydraulic system is that the electric motor is operated and controlled by the ECU unit which controls the motor very precisely by accurately monitoring the steering force, vehicle speed and steering angle."

That certainly sounds like it; one would hope the motor would just alter the amount of assist, not prevent steering.

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