97 GJC starts then stalls headlights flashing

[becca3733]

Hi Everyone,

My son needs some help PLEASE. In the last couple of months jeep has jeep would not start, run for a couple of seconds and then stall but would start up and stay running a couple of hours later. Yesterday jeep did same thing but now will not start up and stay running. Couple of things going on, the headlights are flashing off and on repeatedly when key is turned over and there is a ticking/clicking/tapping noise that sounds like it is coming from the vicinity of the passenger dash board. Went to part store and bought mass air flow sensor and a throttle position sensor and replaced but jeep still wont stay running. I have searched this forum and see that this appears to be related to the security system. So we tried what was suggested to do like disconnect battery and unlock doors or disconnect battery and turn key over etc etc. That also did not work. Is there any other things someone can suggest to do or look at. And if it is the security system can we disable it for good? How do we disable it? From surfing the net I am thinking it has something to do with the VTSS security and the engine kill feature or no run feature. Would appreicate any feedback. WE are desperate at this point.

[Bob D.]

Maybe get the key reprogrammed or try another key.
It also may not be related to the security system.
Pull any fault codes using the key on - off method.

[bringselpup]

The clicking from the dash. I have seen some posts that indicate that's where the security module is located.

[dksob81]

Try locking the doors with the power lock button on the drivers door, then shut the door and unlock the passengerside door or even the liftgate, then try to start the jeep.

[becca3733]

thanks for the replys,
i think he tried the key off and on method and it didnt show anything, I dont think the check engine light is coming on. I will have him try that method again. About the key, it appears to be a normal key. He only has one, can he buy another one and it a special key with a chip in it? We will try to do the unlock doors etc that you suggested. Wil let you know how that goes. Thanks

[becca3733]

well we still cant get car to stay running. tried checking for codes with the on and off thing. the check engine light is not coming on when turning the key over. tried locking the drivers side door and then using key to open passenger door and that did not work. maybe this is not the security system after all. would you happen to have any other ideas of what it could be or something else we can try to do? thanks

[bringselpup]

The check engine light would only be lit if you did have an engine malfunction code.

With the clicking from in the dash and the headlights flashing the only thing I would be chasing would be factory alarm issues.

Check for solid electrical connections at the battery and major ground points. Cleaning or tightening a dirty or loose connection has made many a problem go away on a Jeep. Check your door wiring. I wonder if you have a power door lock that isn't operating correctly. These things are notorious for getting faulty wiring inside the rubber boot that sleeves the wiring from the body of the vehicle into the door.

[becca3733]

thanks for your help. got the jeep started. first we checked the box with the fuses on passenger side kick panel. the clicking noise was coming from there where the security system relays are. tried switching them out per someone elses advise. still clicking from one of them. then we took panel off drivers door and was looking for the purple/yellow striped wire to try and ground it out. after messing with all the wiring and unhooking/rehooking everything back up the truck turned over and started. must be a bad connection somewhere that we touched/moved. never did anything with the purple wire.
thanks for your input. this forum has helped us out a few times and it is a great resource.

[bringselpup]

Originally Posted by becca3733

must be a bad connection somewhere that we touched/moved.

Now that you know it's behind the panel on the drivers door I'd be suspicious of that doors power door lock assembly.

[raystyer]

Hi Becca,
My Jeep does the same thing. Your security system is being triggered by something that he is doing, such as opening the door by manually pushing the unlock for that door. It will sometimes trigger if the battery terminals are not making good contact. Sometimes they just do it. If you have a remote control, that will usually shut off the alarm. If not, then you can disable it by locking all the doors with the switch on the door and, using the key, unlocking any or all of the front doors and/or the rear hatch. If yours is is a 97 or newer, the fuel will also shut off when the alarm is triggered. That explains the start up and shutting off immediately after.

Originally Posted by becca3733

Hi Everyone,

My son needs some help PLEASE. In the last couple of months jeep has jeep would not start, run for a couple of seconds and then stall but would start up and stay running a couple of hours later. Yesterday jeep did same thing but now will not start up and stay running. Couple of things going on, the headlights are flashing off and on repeatedly when key is turned over and there is a ticking/clicking/tapping noise that sounds like it is coming from the vicinity of the passenger dash board. Went to part store and bought mass air flow sensor and a throttle position sensor and replaced but jeep still wont stay running. I have searched this forum and see that this appears to be related to the security system. So we tried what was suggested to do like disconnect battery and unlock doors or disconnect battery and turn key over etc etc. That also did not work. Is there any other things someone can suggest to do or look at. And if it is the security system can we disable it for good? How do we disable it? From surfing the net I am thinking it has something to do with the VTSS security and the engine kill feature or no run feature. Would appreicate any feedback. WE are desperate at this point.