emohn
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Louisville, KY
Hi folks,
Let me start out by saying this this forum (and organization) are a great resource for XJ owners and I'm glad to have found it. I recently picked up a 1990 Cherokee Limited for what I believed - and still do believe - to be a great deal at around $850. It's got 179k and seems to be in great running condition with two notable exceptions. First, and least important is that the power steering pump is out, but that's nothing new to me (my 85 XJ went through two of them while I owned it). The second problem is a new one to me, but thankfully a familiar one around here. My '90 is cursed with the troublesome Bendix 9 break system, and it seems that it's failed again.
According to searches run at the dealership on my VIN, the recall for the ABS system has been completed on my Jeep at least once, if not twice. My symptoms seem the same as many others who've experience problems withe the system - very stiff pedal effort, and too little braking. Of course, my "Check Anti-lock" idiot light is on as well. The Jeep is driveable in it's current state, but just barely.
Now to the heart of my questions... I need to find some cold, hard facts on this recall (Recall #702) or the Warranty Bulletin that was issued to dealerships regarding it. I've read many times on here and over at Jeepforums that the ABS pump and accumulator were issued a lifetime warranty when the recall was made, and that other parts of the ABS system would be covered under a 6 yr, 100k warranty extension. Obviously with the mileage on my Jeep, I'm not covered on the other parts (wheel speed sensors, ABS computer, relays, etc), but I'm getting conflicting stories both online and from two different dealers on whether or not future work to my pump or accumulator would be covered.
The first dealership I talked to was able to confirm that the recall had been performed on my Jeep back in 98 and did admit that there was a lifetime warranty issued for portions of the ABS system. That's where the good news ended... they then went on to tell me that either the pump, OR the accumulator were covered, but not both (the service advisor couldn't remember which one). This left me in a position of having to pony up for a $75 inspection (basically pulling codes off the ABS computer) and hoping that whichever part was broken is the one that's covered.
The second dealership I talked to could confirm that my Jeep had been serviced under this recall at some point in time, possibly twice, but also could not tell me exactly what had been replaced. This is probably a good time to note that it doesn't matter how great of a deal a vehicle is... you should always get service records with it. This dealership told me that there was no such "lifetime warranty" that was created as part of the recall, but that when the recall was performed, both the pump and accumulator were covered in full.
So there's my dilema... I get the feeling that neither dealership is being completely up front with me (surprise surprise) or that it's at least been long enough since they've dealt with working on this system that they need their memories jogged. Is there ANY way I can get a copy of the actual Warranty Bulletin issued as part of this recall? Is there someone I can talk to a Jeep/DaimlerChrysler Corporate that can persuage my local dealerships?
OR...
Should I not worry about replacing this broken system with the same system that will break (not brake ) again and install a 96 non-ABS vacuum power assist brake system?
Sorry for the length of my post... I know I tend to ramble a bit, but I like to make sure all of my bases are covered in situations like this. I hope that some day I'll be able to repay the tech you guys bring to the table on this with write-ups of my own future projects or experiences.
Thanks in advance,
-Erik
Let me start out by saying this this forum (and organization) are a great resource for XJ owners and I'm glad to have found it. I recently picked up a 1990 Cherokee Limited for what I believed - and still do believe - to be a great deal at around $850. It's got 179k and seems to be in great running condition with two notable exceptions. First, and least important is that the power steering pump is out, but that's nothing new to me (my 85 XJ went through two of them while I owned it). The second problem is a new one to me, but thankfully a familiar one around here. My '90 is cursed with the troublesome Bendix 9 break system, and it seems that it's failed again.
According to searches run at the dealership on my VIN, the recall for the ABS system has been completed on my Jeep at least once, if not twice. My symptoms seem the same as many others who've experience problems withe the system - very stiff pedal effort, and too little braking. Of course, my "Check Anti-lock" idiot light is on as well. The Jeep is driveable in it's current state, but just barely.
Now to the heart of my questions... I need to find some cold, hard facts on this recall (Recall #702) or the Warranty Bulletin that was issued to dealerships regarding it. I've read many times on here and over at Jeepforums that the ABS pump and accumulator were issued a lifetime warranty when the recall was made, and that other parts of the ABS system would be covered under a 6 yr, 100k warranty extension. Obviously with the mileage on my Jeep, I'm not covered on the other parts (wheel speed sensors, ABS computer, relays, etc), but I'm getting conflicting stories both online and from two different dealers on whether or not future work to my pump or accumulator would be covered.
The first dealership I talked to was able to confirm that the recall had been performed on my Jeep back in 98 and did admit that there was a lifetime warranty issued for portions of the ABS system. That's where the good news ended... they then went on to tell me that either the pump, OR the accumulator were covered, but not both (the service advisor couldn't remember which one). This left me in a position of having to pony up for a $75 inspection (basically pulling codes off the ABS computer) and hoping that whichever part was broken is the one that's covered.
The second dealership I talked to could confirm that my Jeep had been serviced under this recall at some point in time, possibly twice, but also could not tell me exactly what had been replaced. This is probably a good time to note that it doesn't matter how great of a deal a vehicle is... you should always get service records with it. This dealership told me that there was no such "lifetime warranty" that was created as part of the recall, but that when the recall was performed, both the pump and accumulator were covered in full.
So there's my dilema... I get the feeling that neither dealership is being completely up front with me (surprise surprise) or that it's at least been long enough since they've dealt with working on this system that they need their memories jogged. Is there ANY way I can get a copy of the actual Warranty Bulletin issued as part of this recall? Is there someone I can talk to a Jeep/DaimlerChrysler Corporate that can persuage my local dealerships?
OR...
Should I not worry about replacing this broken system with the same system that will break (not brake ) again and install a 96 non-ABS vacuum power assist brake system?
Sorry for the length of my post... I know I tend to ramble a bit, but I like to make sure all of my bases are covered in situations like this. I hope that some day I'll be able to repay the tech you guys bring to the table on this with write-ups of my own future projects or experiences.
Thanks in advance,
-Erik