Rubicon steering locked up

[Adv_aw8s]

I would check your power steering fluid. I had mine do something similar in the interstate and almost send me into the jersey barriers. I had to man handle it to the next exit and off the side of the road. I shut off and restarted the jeep and it was fine the rest of the trip home. I did find that my fluid was low. I wonder in my case if when I hit the bridge transition at 70 if that jarring caused the pump to suck some air. I've since topped the reservoir off and haven't had an issue since.

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[THAW]

EHPS (power steering) typically shuts down due to overheating or low voltage. The safely stop vehicle shutdown message generally indicates a battery/alternator issue. The ABS and sway bar alerts are often related to low voltage and/or CAN bus communication faults.

This steering hiccup was likely due to a low-voltage condition and/or CAN bus communication issue (note: CAN bus errors are often caused by modules not having sufficient voltage).

Check battery health, battery terminal and frame/body ground connections, and wiring harnesses. If all connections look good, the Star CAN Connector is often a culprit.

It's worth noting hard steering wheel rotation while stationary causes the EHPS to draw significant current, and therefore always briefly drops system voltage. Though it generally shouldn't happen in a properly functioning electrical system, it might be possible under particular circumstances to trigger a low voltage threshold by aggressively turning the wheel while not moving - especially with large tires, while forcing the steering to the stop, or if the EHPS/wiring is already hot.

 

[jadmt]

Local dealer is pretty decent. They should be after buying 5 vehicles from them in past 3 years, including a TRX and 2 392 Rubicons. That said, I will trade this wrangler off in a heartbeat if it is not dead nuts reliable. And it won't be for another Jeep.

my 2024 jlur that I bought new had like 7500 miles on it and was like 8 months old ended up in the shop for 45 days. I was not happy as no loaner available. I complained to jeep cares and got offered a 6/85000 bumper to bumper maxcare warranty.. I told my wife if I have one more issue it is gone..fortunately it is now at 27000 miles and has not had any other issues.

 

[jadmt]

EHPS (power steering) typically shuts down due to overheating or low voltage. The safely stop vehicle shutdown message generally indicates a battery/alternator issue. The ABS and sway bar alerts are often related to low voltage and/or CAN bus communication faults.

This steering hiccup was likely due to a low-voltage condition and/or CAN bus communication issue (note: CAN bus errors are often caused by modules not having sufficient voltage).

Check battery health, battery terminal and frame/body ground connections, and wiring harnesses. If all connections look good, the Star CAN Connector is often a culprit.

It's worth noting hard steering wheel rotation while stationary causes the EHPS to draw significant current, and therefore always briefly drops system voltage. Though it generally shouldn't happen in a properly functioning electrical system, it might be possible under particular circumstances to trigger a low voltage threshold by aggressively turning the wheel while not moving - especially with large tires, while forcing the steering to the stop, or if the EHPS/wiring is already hot.

if I remember correctly it is also caused by a loose body ground on the passenger side.. @alphawolff probably knows.

 

[THAW]

if I remember correctly it is also caused by a loose body ground on the passenger side.. @alphawolff probably knows.

Yup, I believe the EHPS ground stud is behind the passenger headlight.

 

[Grayone]

Good to know. Will start with batteries and connections. Thanks.

 

[631_Islander]

I work in auto salvage. Ain’t shit dead nuts reliable these days, ESPECIALLY stellantis products. They are fine for the most part but do have quirks you’re just gonna have to deal with.

Not even Hondas and Toyotas are “dead nuts” anymore.

So true. Besides my 2020 JLUR, I have a 2008 Honda Civic LX Automatic Sedan and a 2024 Honda Civic Si. The 24 Civic Si seems to be more "sensitive" than my much older 08 civic. I wonder if that 08 civic may outlast my 24 civic si and my 2020 JLUR if I take care of her good. 18 years later, she refuses to die and runs on the hwy at 80MPH like a champ. In these 18 years I have changed the oil regularly alongside the serpentine belt twice. Her alternator gave up once, starter gave up twice. All four of her brakes got changed just four weeks ago. Last brake change was 2019 alongside the struts. Still got 7 year old struts in her.

Her engine, transmission and other essential components refuse to die!

 

[croppz]

So true. Besides my 2020 JLUR, I have a 2008 Honda Civic LX Automatic Sedan and a 2024 Honda Civic Si. The 24 Civic Si seems to be more "sensitive" than my much older 08 civic. I wonder if that 08 civic may outlast my 24 civic si and my 2020 JLUR if I take care of her good. 18 years later, she refuses to die and runs on the hwy at 80MPH like a champ.

The 11th gens are good cars but unfortunately the 1.5t will eventually need a head gasket. Not an if but when just because of the design. It’s the same flaw in the 2.0t and 2.0 hybrid engine as well. Not sure why Honda didn’t address it knowing damn well the issues the 10th gens have had.

I had a 23 civic sport with the K20C2 (NA 2.0) that I traded in for the jeep. I may be a bit thick in the head for doing that but I guess the civic just wasnt quirky enough and too reliable! . Great car though, I just got tired of being limited on space and capability during more inclement weather.

 

[631_Islander]

The 11th gens are good cars but unfortunately the 1.5t will eventually need a head gasket. Not an if but when just because of the design. It’s the same flaw in the 2.0t and 2.0 hybrid engine as well. Not sure why Honda didn’t address it knowing damn well the issues the 10th gens have had.

I had a 23 civic sport with the K20C2 (NA 2.0) that I traded in for the jeep. I may be a bit thick in the head for doing that but I guess the civic just wasnt quirky enough and too reliable! . Great car though, I just got tired of being limited on space and capability during more inclement weather.

I just wonder if my 08 civic might outlast my 24 civic si and my 2020 JLUR lol. She seems be a lot less sensitive

 

[croppz]

I just wonder if my 08 civic might outlast my 24 civic si and my 2020 JLUR lol. She seems be a lot less sensitive

My bet is that it will lmao

 

[cha lee]

24 rubi, manual, with 35s. Sorry don't know the cause of your problem but my cluster lit up just like yours. I reset (pushed down) all fuses, used my tazer to clear codes. All was fine afterwards. I too, would like to know the cause. Guess I'll have to chalk it up to stellantis engineering.

 

[Grayone]

I have an appointment with service today. I will let the group know what kind of smoke show that will be and any resolution of the issue.

 

[Grayone]

Service writer just got back to me. Faulty alternator which intermittently cycles charging and trips codes. Now the good news. Replacement alternator is on back order for at least 2 weeks. I do have other vehicles to drive, but still sucks. And no they won't pull an alternator off new inventory. Guess I will be Jeepless for awhile. Such is life.

 

[Bob Burd]

I'm skeptical this is the cause, but I do hope it solves your issue. If it does resurface, please post here again.

 

[Jeeps2Little]

I had a slightly different electrical gremlin 2 years ago and it was fixed by replacing the alternator. fingers crossed for you.

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