1997 jeep cherokke issues

Asked by louiscobb Jan 11, 2015 at 12:20 AM about the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4WD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My jeep is running crappy im trying to figure whats wrong with it and this is what it is doing. its starting but then i take the key out its not acknowledging the key casue its staying started and the only way that it would turn off is from me putting my foot on the break. the dash lights and all the other light where also not turning on at all so what other issue could it be. Oh yeah and when on the way home back from work all the service engine lights all came on. and that morning the doors wouldn't unlock

2 Answers

23,590

Start cleaning corroded and loose connections at the battery posts. You may find several. Also check for ohms to ground at the neg. cable to the engine. The haphazard assembly and resulting recalls for rewire may be required to be sought out before your issues are all corrected. They had some issues, they had some updates, but using a meter and correcting all the issues one at a time it may turn into a dependable rig. I spent a month on one once, and found many things. it was a daily surprise how many ways it had become a liability. But it was fixable.

23,590

Most of the issues were at or around the power distribution center, fusible links, battery cables, harnesses. Painted ground brackets ? yea, I was impressed. Coolant leaks, baggy timing chain, etc. But why is that part of its issues ? The coolant spray under the hood was fouling the connections and corroding them. Using protective battery cable sealer and dielectric grease was all part of correction and prevention. hope you enjoy your jeep.

Your Answer:

Grand Cherokee

Looking for a Used Grand Cherokee in your area?

CarGurus has 49,034 nationwide Grand Cherokee listings starting at $750.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Hornet_2497
    Reputation
    8,770
  • #2
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    6,960
  • #3
    thejeepdoctor
    Reputation
    6,460
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Dodge Durango
797 Great Deals out of 20,906 listings starting at $550
Used Jeep Cherokee
1,396 Great Deals out of 17,024 listings starting at $2,500
Used Jeep Wrangler
3,164 Great Deals out of 57,875 listings starting at $3,000
Used Ford Explorer
2,157 Great Deals out of 62,559 listings starting at $1,000
Used Ford F-150
6,025 Great Deals out of 129,797 listings starting at $900
Used Toyota 4Runner
1,230 Great Deals out of 18,340 listings starting at $1,800
Used Chevrolet Tahoe
1,024 Great Deals out of 20,127 listings starting at $1,100
Used Chevrolet Camaro
583 Great Deals out of 9,134 listings starting at $4,000

Used Cars For Sale

2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4WD For Sale
2,266 listings starting at $32,615
2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4WD For Sale
37 Great Deals out of 541 listings starting at $28,995
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4WD For Sale
5 Great Deals out of 53 listings starting at $29,100
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4WD For Sale
4 Great Deals out of 23 listings starting at $24,295
2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4WD For Sale
8 Great Deals out of 78 listings starting at $11,980

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.