Jeep Creep Answers Off-Road Tech Questions

Have a Jeep tech question for the Jeep Creep? Send an e-mail with your name, vehicle year, model and a detailed description of the problem to Jeep Creep at

Previous Jeep Creep Q&As:
February 2011

January 2011

December 2010

No Jeep recalls this month.

Automatic Headlights
I own a 2008 Jeep Wrangler X. When I unlock the vehicle using my remote, the headlights come on in conjunction with the yellow marker lights. I don’t always immediately start the vehicle and find the unwanted headlight illumination an unnecessary battery drain. The only way I have found to turn off the headlights when I do not wish to start the vehicle is to activate them, then de-activate them via the headlight control selector on the steering column. Is there a way to fix this issue? I’m looking forward to the solution of my problem.

Jim Narlock

Your automatic headlights are controlled by the onboard computer. Next time you have your Wrangler serviced at a Jeep dealer, ask the service writer to reset your computer so that the headlights don’t come on automatically when you unlock the door. Either that or just forget them, they’ll time out after a few minutes.

2.5 Days of Fun
My neighbor has a ‘92 Jeep Wrangler. It ran it out of gas and then could not get fuel to pump. It was getting spark, but now still no fuel (not pumping) and now no spark. He changed all the relays and still no spark and no fuel. Could it be the CPS or ECU? It all started by running out of gas, then pump stopped working, and then no spark. He has owned it now less than one week. It did run good for 2-1/2 days. Here’s a follow up, thank you for your reply. The problem is solved! There is a wire that comes off of the starter solenoid. It was hooked up but not connected. After a good connection was made, he had restored fire and fuel pump runs good again. Maybe it didn’t run out of gas after all.

Aquaman
Bakersfield, CA

Thanks, Aquaman, for letting me know what happened. That'll go into the notebook for next time.

M38 Transfer Case
On my ‘52 M38 I have a Dana 20 transfer case mated to a 456 Saginaw tranny via an Advanced Adapters adapter. My question is this: the main drive gear doesn’t mesh properly with the drive gear on the intermediate shaft. Can I just keep shimming the main drive gear ‘til it matches properly or am I missing something? There’s about a 1/3 of an inch difference.

Scott Ramsay
Elkford, Ontario, Canada

Advance Adapters has one of the best customer service centers in the business. Just call or email Advance Adapters and ask a rep for the procedure. He can lead you through it step by step. Tell AA I told you to call them. http://www.advanceadapters.com/

TJ Doors
Are the TJ factory half doors still being manufactured? I’d like to get a set for my 2004 Jeep Wrangler Sahara but I can’t seem to find any new ones. If they’re not being made anymore (and to broaden my chances of finding a pair), can the half doors from a YJ fit my TJ?

Mike St. Pierre
Warwick, Rhode Island

Jeep is no longer manufacturing the TJ half doors, and YJ doors will not fit a TJ. However, Bestop makes several different types of half doors that do fit. I have Bestop’s tubular doors with storage compartments on my CJ and I love them! You’ll find them at http://www.bestop.com/.

No 4WD
I have a question to do with my ‘93 Jeep Wrangler 4WD. It will not engage the front wheels. I checked the fluid and it is good. It will go into 4 low gear but will not spin the tires.

Randy Hunter

Have you made sure you have vacuum to the front axle pod? It’s either that or a bad pod. If you’re going to work on your Jeep, you definitely need to buy a good shop manual. This problem would be covered in the troubleshooting section.

TSB?
I need your wisdom. I have a 1992 Jeep Wrangler YJ. My Jeep has a 2.5 4-banger with the AX-5 manual transmission. I have been hearing that Chrysler/Jeep put out a TSB telling all service techs to use synthetic 10w30 instead of the “normal” 75w80 GL-5 dope (oil). Any word on this? I also heard this applies to the AX-15 trans as well.

Guy

I haven’t heard of this TSB. You’ll have to check with a dealer.

TJ Gear Ratio?
I bought a 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited that was already lifted and has 33-inch tires. I am pretty sure that the previous owner did not change the gears when he lifted and got boggier tires because when I am on the highway going up a slight hill there is no power. It’s maxed out at around 75 mph in 6th gear and that is with the pedal to the metal. How do I find out the gear ratio on the Jeep now and how do I determine what new gears to get? I want it to be fuel efficient but I also don’t want to get passed by every car on the road. It would be awesome if you could help me out.

Gray West

Is it a Rubicon or some other trim level? There are several ways to tell the gear ratio, though. One, look at the tag on one of the differentials. Two, go to Jeep’s website and see what ratios are available for your model. The 2010 and 2011 models didn’t change their available gear ratios. BTW: Rubicons have 4.10:1 gear ratios, which are relatively unaffected by 33-inch tires. If you wish to change gear ratios, go to Randy’s Gears’ website (www.ringpinion.com/Calc_GR.aspx) for an excellent gear ratio calculator.

As usual, each month, I’m shouting out a huge THANK YOU to Paul Schoop at Rock Lizard 4x4 in Kingman, Arizona, for his invaluable assistance in answering many of the Jeep Creep questions.

Previous Jeep Creep Q&As:
February 2011

January 2011

December 2010