2001 Jeep Cherokee Classic from North America - Comments

I bought an '01 jeep cherokee in early 2004. It currently has 81k miles on it. I have driven this baby all over the place. Any problem I've had with it has been pretty minor and very easy to fix. easy = cheap :-)

I am thrilled to read that I wasn't the only one with the drivers side speaker problem (started occurring around 50k). I've gotten pretty used to it now. Even now though, it'll come on very occasionally and I am usually shocked to experience the surround sound again because I've gotten so used to only the right speaker working.

I've also had to fight with the engine light due to EVAP coming on and off. It always seemed to go off for a little while after I filled up on gas. I think I remember reading something that said the on/off nature of it was because of the way the computer checks and reports problems. Something like 40 ignition starts with no issue and it will clear the code.

I recently feared the worst due to a sudden dump of radiator fluid from the engine area. It was POURING out rusty fluid. But in true Jeep form, it was a relatively minor fix. One of the Freeze Valve's had rusted out. I wonder if that was part of the "rust" recall.

I had a power steering problem a few years ago, and I'm not sure of the cause of that. It just needed a new pump and it was good to go (about $250).

And the only other problem I've had with it was minor. It was my mistake that it was an expensive repair. I think it was a temp valve (apologizesif I got that wrong, I can't remember right now). It was apparently only a $5 part. But I didn't think anything too major of it when my heater stopped blowing hot air. It happened pretty suddenly. (My mistake number 1). My jeep started to run hotter than normal, but not in the Red yet. So I figured I could make it to the end of the exit ramp to a gas station (My mistake number 2). I cracked the radiator and it had to be replaced. Damn that $5 part. I learned my lesson.

I also occasionally have (although it's not as bad as it was before) most of my gages go out and the odometer says "NO BUS". It has to be a bad connection to the computer because it was occasionally triggered by a bump in the road. the gages would return to normal after a minute or two. the problem doesn't really happen any more.

Also my engine light hasn't come on in about 4 months, which is also good.

I really do love this jeep.

My transmission fluid was running low the other day, but I don't think I've ever even looked at it before. And I don't notice any leaks, so it's probably just from the mileage.

I also love that at 80k miles, every time I get the oil changed, even when I go over the recommended amount of mileage, it's ALWAYS full.

My mechanic, who fixed the freeze plug (and also drives a Cherokee), said that he's never once seen a blown head gasket in a Jeep. Which is pretty cool. Because two previous cars of mine ended up with blown head gaskets.

So many repairs can be done at home too.

Just posted a comment (2001 Cherokee - freeze valve). I forgot to mention that I also have the problem with the passenger window not working from the passenger side. I have to roll up and down from the drivers side.

The brakes on this Jeep have to be replaced pretty often too.

And I'm curious to see if anyone else has experienced loose steering as well?

Most Jeeps with 4.0 liter engine do not use a PVC valve, they use an PCV orfice.

I also have a dead front left speaker.

Jeeps from about 1999 and newer do not have a fuel filter by itself; it is part of fuel pump regulator.

There is a fix for the left front speaker listed in one of the comments above. I did it, it's very easy.

I have a 2001 Jeep Cherokee Limited that I bought new. I have had the normal issues most have had (rotors, front drivers seat, fuel pump, etc). I have not experienced the front speaker problem yet, but at least I know it will happen soon.

I have a friend (who is a heavy equipment mechanic) do a routine maintenance on my vehicle, since it just coming up to 100,000km (60,000 miles)

I have asked him to change the 2 differential fluids, the transfer case, transmission filter. We also need to replace the air filter adapter, so when that is done a new oil filter and oil chance will be done.

He also changed all 4 shocks, as it seemed to be hitting very hard.

My question is...

I know he is not supposed to do a flush on the transmission, but I can't find anywhere on how much transmission fluid it takes. I have all the other amounts (1.5 liters for differentials, 5.7 liters for oil) but all they tell me is 2.0 liters for transmission fluid. I know that is wrong and my buddy tells me it's closer to 7.0 liters. Can anyone help me here?

Amy other suggestion to do on this Jeep while we are at it?

Thanks.

SV.

I have a 2000 Cherokee. I've had many of the problems as listed in other comments, and a few I could use some info on.

--AC doesn't work. It's too expensive for me right now to fix as I am on an enlisted Marine salary but it is awfully hot in NC.

--I've had the dash go out with the "No Bus" message. When it happened initially I took it into the dealership but of course it started working right before I pulled into parking lot so they couldn't do anything. Since then it has happened a few times. Very unscientific fix I discovered was to just kick the area under and to the left of steering column. Seems to work.

--Often the passenger will not be able to roll down window. Sometimes it fixes itself if I push in the window lock button a few times.

--The rear windshield wiper stopped working.

--Front driver's side tire fascia flew off when my girlfriend at the time was driving it. She didn't stop and get it so it is on the side of a highway somewhere in Michigan.

--When I activate turn signal to turn left it makes both blinkers in rear turn on. I am hoping this is a fuse issue, though I can't find a fuse diagram. The fuse panel says it is in the owner's manual and the owners manual says its on the fuse panel.

--It's starting to make a clicking noise in the engine when I accelerate after starting it on cold mornings, which goes away when it warms up a little.

Those are just what I can think of off the top of my head. But I do love this Jeep. I'm not sure why but it grew on me.

If anyone knows anything about these problems, especially the turning light issues, please let me know.

Thanks,

Aaron

I've owned a 1999 Jeep Cherokee for 9 years now. It currently has 170,000 miles on it. I too have had the problem with the front speakers. Besides that, it's been one heck of a car. This weekend I gave it to my son and bought a Toyota FJ Cruiser and I can only hope it holds up as well as the Jeep. But to be fair, I did spend $1000 on the Jeep this weekend to make sure everything worked perfectly for my son. The money went towards a clock spring cable ($120), a new AC fan ($220 installed), a new AC compressor ($180), new accumulator (sp?) ($90), tire rotation and balance ($39), and a front end alignment ($69). Thre rest was spent on coolent, oil, filter, and other odds and ends. The air just started going bad at the end of last summer. Anyway, i'd like to see any Japanese trap hold up this well.

Another note, the Cherokee's 4.0L engine has never smoked or leaked a drop of oil. I just changed the spark plugs for the first time and the old ones looked almost as good as the new ones. That's the best engine ever produced if you ask me.

As far as the new Toyota FJ Cruiser goes, I love the new car, but I wish it got the gas mileage that my old Jeep got.

I own an 01' Cherokee with 78,000+ miles on it and I have used and abused it to an extent that even a Toyota owner would be scared of.

I have had a couple of problems myself from it, but, they were all caused by my driving.

My AC no longer works, I found out, don't put hotter burning plugs in it, and don't pull a 18' stock trailer like Mario A..

Where I go off-road is even a trial for a Rubicon. If my Jeep has any problems, then I will fix them and keep on driving (like a mad man).

I am having an AC problem where the AC works for 10 min and then stops working. I switch to vent and then go back 5-10 later and cold air again. I read a fix for this on another forum, but haven't been able to test it yet. Someone in the other forum tried it and said ti worked though.

The fix is: I'm new to the forum but would like to add my 2cents. The problem you described should be an easy fix as long as you described it to the mechanic the way you described it here. If the unit works great for 10 minutes and then cuts out and if you wait for 20 minutes it works again and this pattern is correct than all you need is a new clutch coil and pulley on front of your compressor. The coil is the problem. When it gets hot it gets weak. Heat builds resistance in electrical components, especially in magnetic components. The coil when energized snaps the hub to the pulley to make the internals of the compressor spin. When the coil gets weak, it can only snap it in the cold or cooler state. When it heats up it fails. An easy test is to wait for it to happen again and then pop the hood and with the engine running tap the front of the hub with a long screwdriver or light hammer. This will close the air gap and if the coil is weak it should still kick on. The ac will get cold until it goes to cycle again. It will cycle off but not kick back in because of the weak coil. Hope this helps and I hope it's not too late.

As for the drivers side speaker issue. I just bought new speakers for $60 and cut the grey connector off and just wired it straight to the speaker. Its been working great ever since.

I will try the AC thfix sometime this week.

Yale

I own a 2001 Cherokee Sport - after having owned a 1999 classic that was stolen in Detroit. Anyway, I've got a problem with the window switch on the passenger side - it doesn't work (just like in my 1999). Did anyone find that inspecting the wire harness revealed any common issues or easy fixes or is this just something that requires a mechanic's attention??

I also saw someone mentioned that their window motor(s) went bad... these can be found at the dealership and take about 30 minutes of your time to replace. Very easy to do. The motor assembly cost me about $120.00 each which, along with my self-labor, was a lot better than the estimates I got that ranged from $350 - $450 each!