TSB, need a fix

[DCRANER]

Local gas station buddy tested my 97 TJ 4.0 5-speed because of constant pinging, found a TSB, "Lean Condition, etc.", so......

Should I go to a Chrysler dealer to fix, or does this model just have a problem, maybe needs a cooler thermostat and an aftermarket computer upgrade to richen up mixture.

Pinging driving me nuts, everything else in perfect shape.

[CdnJeepGirl]

Try running a tank of mid grade gas in it...if the pinging goes away, it's normal.

[disturbed 1]

The computer probably needs to be reflashed. Most all 97s I have come across have a sticker on the computer cover that shows that it has been done. Mine was done in 97. If you don't have a sticker, yours needs to be done. As far as I know this is a dealer only thing. Also, do not put a cooler thermostat in. A 195 degree is all you should run. If you run a cooler thermostat in it, it will eventually give you a CEL...code 17.

[DCRANER]

Originally posted by disturbed 1:
The computer probably needs to be reflashed. Most all 97s I have come across have a sticker on the computer cover that shows that it has been done. Mine was done in 97. If you don't have a sticker, yours needs to be done. As far as I know this is a dealer only thing. Also, do not put a cooler thermostat in. A 195 degree is all you should run. If you run a cooler thermostat in it, it will eventually give you a CEL...code 17. Thanks. I did order a 180 thermostat, thinking that would not be a radical drop in temp., I would not do a 160.

Where is the computer located, as I will check for a sticker, and what will that sticker say?

I was also thinking of a Hypertech for a mild upgrade. I just think at best in pure stock form it is on the lean side.

Also, I have 3.07 gears with 33" tires, 4.0 5-speed, so this may be a big part of the problem of pinging. Thinking of 4.10's.

[disturbed 1]

A 180 is too cold. I'd get a 195.

The computer is behind the battery, up on the firewall. The white sticker will be somewhere on the computer's black cover. Mine says something like reflash done at so and so date. I'll look at it tomorrow and see what it says exactly.

The computer controls the timing based off of what the engine sensors tell it, along with the code within the computer, so I highly doubt the 3.07s and 33s are exclusively the problem.

[DCRANER]

Originally posted by disturbed 1:
A 180 is too cold. I'd get a 195.

The computer is behind the battery, up on the firewall. The white sticker will be somewhere on the computer's black cover. Mine says something like reflash done at so and so date. I'll look at it tomorrow and see what it says exactly.

The computer controls the timing based off of what the engine sensors tell it, along with the code within the computer, so I highly doubt the 3.07s and 33s are exclusively the problem. Thanks for your help.

I have a new Banks Cat Back exhaust to put on, my current exhaust I think is the original, 8 years old maybe, so with the exhaust, K&N, Fire Power ignition, and new plugs I can at least eliminate those from the question marks. I also run Sunoco 89 octane.

I will leave the stock 195 thermostat in and probably just make an appointment with a local Chrysler dealer. I will check for the sticker on the computer.

What do you think of the Hypertech programmer? For a mild setting / performance upgrade?

Thanks again.

[Knuckelhead]

Originally posted by DCRANER:
[QUOTE]new Banks Cat Back exhaust to put on, , K&N, Fire Power ignition, and new plugs After all that you may want to do a prom re-set on your computer.

[DCRANER]

Originally posted by Knuckelhead:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by DCRANER:
new Banks Cat Back exhaust to put on, , K&N, Fire Power ignition, and new plugs After all that you may want to do a prom re-set on your computer. </font>My previous question was, rather than going to the Chrysler dealer for a re-flash, TSB check, should I just get a Hypertech Programmer and be done with it?

[Knuckelhead]

Never used one...

[hard core XJ offroader]

i've been running a 180 t-stat and have not had any problems, i know someone with a 160 even and he hasn't complained. did you put a gear in to correct the speedo? when my speedo was off it detected a lean burn. problem solved now. the computer looks at all sensors includeing your speedometer.

[disturbed 1]

You're not supposed to run a cooler thermostat than 195 because the engine will never get up to operating temp, which is ~210 for the TJ 4.0. The computer actually looks at where the coolant temp is in real time. If it feels that it hasn't gotten up to operating temp or if took too long to get up to operating temp, it will eventually throw a code. The CEL code is 17 and I have seen it happen with my own two eyes when the thermostat spring cage snapped and thus stuck open the thermostat in my TJ. The temp only got to 170-180(?), it was hard to tell because the factory gauge isn't fully labeled.

As for the sticker, the top line is the p/n and in my case it is 04886689, the next line is the dealer code and the last line is the date the flash was done. The sticker is labeled- Mopar autorized software update. You will have to contact Hypertech to see if the programmer removes all of the factory code or not. I've never used one so I can't comment on it.

[Knuckelhead]

Originally posted by disturbed 1:
The computer actually looks at where the coolant temp is in real time. If it feels that it hasn't gotten up to operating temp or if took too long to get up to operating temp, it will eventually throw a code. And when the computer is running in “cold mode” it runs the engine at a richer mixture so your gas mileage will suffer…

[Slowride]

To add to the discussion........the only time you can/should run a cooler t-stat is when you are NOT using the factory programming. When you are using a custom tuned program or a Hypertech programmer, you can go cooler on the t-stat. Other than that, stay with the stock 195 rating for best performance, mileage and emissions.

[DCRANER]

Originally posted by Slowride:
To add to the discussion........the only time you can/should run a cooler t-stat is when you are NOT using the factory programming. When you are using a custom tuned program or a Hypertech programmer, you can go cooler on the t-stat. Other than that, stay with the stock 195 rating for best performance, mileage and emissions. So, if I do a 180 thermostst with the Hypertech Programmer can I just forget going to the DC boys for a re-flash?

I also have 3.07's with 33" tires, 4.0 5-speed, so I know 4.11's would be a big help.

If I did all this I would have;

1997 TJ 4.0 5-speed
33" GY Wranglers with American Racing wheels
7" Bushwacker Flares
4.11 gears
2" body Lift
K&N Drop In
Fire Power Ignition
Banks Monster Cat Back
180 Thermostat
Hypertech Power Programmer

Would that be a real nice combination?

[Slowride]

Right. No dealer if you go the Hypertech route. When you hook up the Hypertech programmer, the factory programming is "extracted" and replaced with whatever Hypertech "puts in." You can run the cooler t-stat with the Hypertech without any issues. You may have to tell it what temp t-stat you are running when you go thru the setup. Most people I know of that have reprogrammed the computer use a cooler t-stat. A cooler engine makes more power than a hot one...all a hot one does is run cleaner emissions-wise but with less power.