Armando G

If you've done all the 'basic' steps (and more from what you wrote), then it's time to take it in. Although I did get a bad water pump once. I had another vehicle that did the same, I replaced a few things, and it kept over heating. It finally over heated one time too many (while I was testing it), that the engine finally gave out. Cost was $3500 to fix, problem was a $29 sensor that I did not know about...and wasn't even written about on any forum. I just didn't want to pay the $85 diagnoses charge...never again.

Great looking Journey. Like km, I've resolved to maintain my DJ better than my last vehicles. Detail twice a year, and full car wash (inside and out) about every 3-4 weeks. Use to do it myself, but would spend way too much time trying to get it perfect. Enjoy your Journey.

Welcome Rav. Some great stuff in here.

Good to hear. And thanks for posting the update to the issue. Enjoy your DJ.

Every light in the car!?!? Yes, I would definitely bring it back. Good luck.

That size trailer is a perfect size for your Journey. I just moved my daughter on a 1000 mile move and my DJ did great. After loading the trailer and a few things in the back of the truck I was just over 1800 lbs (lucked out with a dump weigh station that let me weigh my load). Drive was a combination of heavy traffic city driving, over the grapevine in CA (mountain), and then some flat interstate driving. Weather was about 100 degrees and I had no issues. I did shut the AC off when climbing the mountain, but ran it pretty much the whole trip. I also used the manual shifter over the curvy mountain road to make sure I down shifted when necessary. I will say, I hit some high winds on the flat interstate and really felt that. Three things to keep in mind...1. Don't drive too fast as tempting as it is, 2. Make certain the receiver/tongue is level so your tongue weight doesn't exceed the suggested max, 3. DON'T OVERLOAD. Good luck.

I don't want to ask the obvious question of checking the bulb, figuring that was done. Before assuming something wasn't connected I would do a circuit test to see if you are getting any power to it. That should determine if it is connected or not. Otherwise, I would personally bring it back if you bought it from a dealer. I don't believe this would cause it to their a code though.

Journ, you mention just going through the process so I was curious...do you have the 4.3 or 8.4 screen? And out of curiosity, how much did you end up spending total with the adapter, installation, and camera (I assume)?

They are not marked, but it's pretty obvious which one goes in front and back when you go to install them. One is longer than the other. I believe longer one goes on the front. You can also use the brackets to hook your tie straps or tire a rope to. Great value.

Really glad to hear your great experience with your DJ. I've always kept my cars for years and have average over 200K miles on my last two keepers (Explorer and Windstar). I did try a BMW at one point, but ended up spending more money in one year for other than regular maintenance items. I'm completely amazed at how well your paint and body look, I unfortunately have a couple of grocery cart dings on mine from other careless people. Great job maintaining your DJ.

Welcome. If you got that kind of mileage on your escape, I would think you maintain your vehicles...hopefully your DJ will be comparable.

Good luck...hope it is not a big issue. And yes, different dealers definitely take a different approach.

Curt hitch packaged with the receiver, ball, and wiring kit is the way to go. Ebay has the package deal for under $190 and installation is easy (if you have at least basic car skills). I installed my hitch and wiring harness by myself without even having to jack it up. Just keep in mind that you will most likely use the receiver in the 'rise' position since the hitch sits a little low. I would of loved to use the pre-installed harness (connector was $80), but the 2 dealers I went to couldn't figure out if they would be able to flash my specific car. I was told to buy the harness and then they would give it a try. I could then return the harness if it didn't work, minus the restocking fee. Finally decided to go with the Curt wiring harness and it works like a charm.

Curious if you ever got your hitch installed, and if it worked out for the trailer you were thinking? Installed the Curt hitch and wiring harness on mine and worked out great. Did have to get a receiver with a 2.5" lift in order for the hitch to be level for your average trailer. It seems that the hitch on the DJ is a little low.

Welcome. I had the same thought of lifting mine a bit for bigger tires, but gave up since (like jkeaton said) it would have to be custom. Then I looked into spacers, again for a little bigger tires, but got scared into NOT doing it after reading all the negatives. Figured I would plan on a 4X4 pickup in the near future to play with and leave the family SUV alone.

We had an explorer with a third row seat and I tried out a number of SUV's with third row seats when I was looking for a truck last year, and the DJ is not bad at all in my opinion. With the middle row having the ability to slide forward, you can get a good amount of room back there. Plus the fact that the floor is lower than the rear storage, leaves you some leg room. You won't want to stuff a 200 lb, 6' person back there, but my teenagers fit great. You do lose any storage capacity, but that's why they sell roof carriers and crossbars. We did a 6 person person trip from SF to Disneyland in L.A. and it worked out great.

Am I reading it correctly that you have a 2017 model? Did you buy it new...and not want the third row when purchasing it? Seems like it would be a lot of work, but probably possible with a donor.

Welcome aboard. I'm still thrilled that I bought my DJ after just over a year. It's been great and I am definitely happy with the price I paid compared to the other options out there. Great forum to be a part of with great stuff to help you out. Have fun exploring.

I'm confused, are you guys talking about crossbars or the rails that attach/install to the car? Installing the rails to the car may affect something during installation if done incorrectly. If you are installing the crossbars you have no chance of messing up anything since they are completely external. Robertlane were you asking about installing rails or crossbars?

I bought the ebay ones last December and they have worked out great. They had recently come out when I bought them so they were over $100, now they are like $70. I've had a storage box attached to it (Thule style), a sofa tied to it, and a bunch of other miscellaneous items strapped to it. Link is below...and those guys were great when one piece was sent incorrectly. I've never heard of any airbag issues with the crossbars. http://m.ebay.com/itm/Fit-For-09-17-Dodge-Journey-OE-Style-Roof-Rack-Cross-Bar-Crossbar-Black-Aluminum-/191573937438?fits=Make%3ADodge|Model%3AJourney&hash=item2c9ab24d1e%3Ag%3AJLMAAOSwwbdWMCuU&_trkparms=pageci%3A31ab2f0d-7676-11e7-91e4-74dbd1806ed4%7Cparentrq%3A9c29bb4e15d0aa6697a3e039fff8b82f%7Ciid%3A2

So after a little back and forth I finally installed the Curt wiring harness instead of trying to make the pre-installed harness work (plus, from what the dealer said, I would of been looking at another $250 in parts and flashing). Instead of routing the Curt harness the way they suggest I took the extra time and went over the wheel wells by removing the covers and going through the side plate thing under the driver side doors. I didn't want to attach anything to the brake lines, or try to go around/over/through the suspension, muffler, or gas tank. It took a little longer, but well worth it. At the end of the day, it went on just as promised, no problems with the connections, and worked like a charm. First road trip with trailer is in two weeks, can't wait. Journeyphenia, I would still be interested in trying to work something out with the harness you have...if you are not going to do anything with it.

FYI...the pics are before tightening the bolts and torquing them. The exhaust was still hanging and I wanted to take pictures before I forgot. They were just hand tightened at the point of the pictures. Probably should of taken the picture after tightening ;-)

Are you saying the white connector I circled in the picture attached is not there? That is the part that connects to the pre-installed wire on the truck? Am I misunderstanding you? I am asking because I would really like to see if we can work something out. I'd love to give it a try.

Cody, out of curiosity, did the spacers help with the spring plates you mentioned earlier in your post? I was looking at bigger tires but heard of issues with that plate thing, and wanted to see if this helped...I may consider adding them on. Also, how are the spacers going so far?

As far as this harness is concerned, the Mopar site shows almost every SXT model year as being compatible, except the 2015 (see pic). I keep getting directed to the more expensive 7 PIN harness. My Curt wiring harness is looking better every day. Plus, I was told that the P68080977AC harness would not flash correctly.