NavalLacrosse

Ok so I’ve been working on my step daughters journey, it started out that she took it to 2 shops, they replaced the battery, then the alternator. After several hundred dollars, the car still had the same issues, the car would act like a dead battery, hook up a jump pack it would start, only to die when the pack was disconnected. I got the car from her and reading several forums on line I found that this issue comes up a few times. So after doing a ton of testing with a multimeter, I found that it PASSED every test! So I started doing some old fashion wire tracing, and come to find out the cause of the whole problem was the power cable from the battery to the fuse block where the factory terminal connected to the cable was damaged inside the jacket! It wasn’t easy to spot because the factory connection has some sort of sealant on it (probably to prevent moisture from getting inside) so I replaced the cable with a new off the shelf universal one from Napa, and ta-da problem solved! 

Congrats on the kid's new job. It's only a matter of time before he trades in the DJ for a more trendy or hip automobile.

It's funny you describe your son's opinion on gasoline cost. I was the same way. glad he likes the car now that gasoline price anxiety is out of the way.


 

Congrats on the kid's new job. It's only a matter of time before he trades in the DJ for a more trendy or hip automobile.

It's funny you describe your son's opinion on gasoline cost. I was the same way. glad he likes the car now that gasoline price anxiety is out of the way.


 

Please make a youtube channel where you just do crazy mechanics stuff. It might pay for itself (or offset some costs) with ad revenue.

Sounds fun, and don't let the debbie-downers like myself talk to you out of it.
Outside of the obvious difficult things, like making a new transmission tunnels ( solved with lots of cutting and creative liberties while welding it back together...)... 
the DJ Pentastar is Transversely mounted, and the Engine bay isn't very deep.  I know it's deeper than some minivans, but I'd be curious how the 5.7 would fit seeing as from the outside it appears the DJ's engine bay is about 6" shorter than the Charger. BUT these are the issues which cause no one to take on such a challenge. BE creative and prove me wrong.. Can't wait to see progress!

Please make a youtube channel where you just do crazy mechanics stuff. It might pay for itself (or offset some costs) with ad revenue.

Sounds fun, and don't let the debbie-downers like myself talk to you out of it.
Outside of the obvious difficult things, like making a new transmission tunnels ( solved with lots of cutting and creative liberties while welding it back together...)... 
the DJ Pentastar is Transversely mounted, and the Engine bay isn't very deep.  I know it's deeper than some minivans, but I'd be curious how the 5.7 would fit seeing as from the outside it appears the DJ's engine bay is about 6" shorter than the Charger. BUT these are the issues which cause no one to take on such a challenge. BE creative and prove me wrong.. Can't wait to see progress!

Sorry for your predicament over there "across the pond". But that motor was not an option here in the "colonies". I've read on other forums of this problem with these diesel motors, and the 2 main faults that seem to happen is the boost pipe cracking or EGR valve fouling. IF mine, I'd start looking there.
GOOD LUCK!

It's actually FWD.

At first, I actually did not want this colour. I traded in my 2011 DJ Crew and was expecting a lighter grey colour. Upon delivery, the granite grey was a new colour and therefore it was mistaken for the 'grey' I wanted. Now that I look back, I actually like this colour variant more than the other grey that I was expecting. 
 
I'm going to say the journey is not refined. I understand that there are better vehicles out there, but I also don't agree with many reviews saying this is the worse car in the segment. For the price, it has a reputable engine(Pentastar), ride is fairly decent, can haul family and cargo and the price is valued well. I always knew that this would be a stepping stone car for me before I splurge and invest in a long term vehicle like a Honda/Toyota. 
 
 

'General Tire' altimax is a great tire i put them on my daughters patriot that she uses on her mail route,and they have held up great for her,and also i use to NOT buy the tire warranty (but in her case i started buying it ) cause she gets so many flats and also some tire damages i always get now even on my own tires as discount repairs or replaces the damage tires NO questions asked they are great, the only problem with them they are a 30 mile drive to the next town, I have been bugging them that they need to build a store in our town and he said it was in the plans but the covid virus has put that on hold for a while....

I could  be (and probably am) completely wrong with what I paid 2 years ago. (maybe i'm mentally blocking out the cost of the tire) I just remember getting them on a sale (memorial day tire sale) and I also got a $75 dollar visa card on a manufacturer rebate. 
The tires were 'General Tire' altimax which are currently listed at 178/each.

I think it was:

Memorial Day sale: 
$100 dollars off, (for 4 new tires)
$75 dollars off, (of rating better)
 
Mfg Sale/rebate.
$75 dollar Manufacturer rebate
? Some mfg instant savings of about $75? This would put it the ballpark of 89 dollars a tire.


TR;DR; I really got a good deal on tires in 2018 wow. 

 

Good luck on the repair! This is making me happy i've got the "inferior" FWD v6. 
Good luck with the diagnostic and eventual repair.

welcome to the forum. 
Although we all drive the Journey, It's no secret the Dodge Journey isn't the world's coolest car.
It does get a much worse wrap than it deserves. All in all, it's a totally average crossover SUV that doesn't excel or fail in any category in particular. What some people don't understand is it's OK for a car to be average and underwhelming- as as you've already learned, having the reputation of being "bland" and "mediocore" means one thing:

a inexpensive crossover! you'll be challenged to find a similar car for comfort, reliability and style at this price point and mileage that isn't just a total poop-box. 

anyway,

the biggest shortcoming of this car is the 4cyl engine, and it's 4-speed auto.  If you have the 3.L v6 you're all good. 280hp is a fairly big number for crossover, especially compared to the modern turbo engines in most competitor cars.

When you mean upgrades, you're thinking making it better a car? pretty much nothing to do but keep it running with basic maintainance.  Some pseudo upgrades like cold air intakes are possible, but anyone with a set of eyes will see the stock airbox pulls hold air in anyway.

If you want to, check of other FCA products too, as many methodology are shared between the journey and Charger and Challenger. assuming only talking about the same engine.

I added a trailer hitch and wiring harness to mine. The Journey isn't rated to tow much, but it's been the best modification (if not only) I've done.
 

There is no "reset" for when the Throttle control light comes on. It means something has gone amiss in the throttle body. I take it you have the 2.4 4 cyl.  engine?  
Not knowing how many miles on the DJ, many times checking and cleaning the TB and making sure all hoses and electrical hook ups are good will turn that light out by itself. I don't know of any other way possible for that to be extinguished, as that warning light is a "stand alone" warning light of problem for that specific item.
The TB is known to wear(multiple gear driven throttle butterfly actuator) and cause the light to come on. It would not hurt to have even an Autozone type parts store do a free scan for you just to be sure nothing is "lurking" in computer memory that would indicate troubles.

wow that's a heck of a article. 
 

Apparently my 8 month old battery is bad. Hopefully a new one fixes it. Thanks!!!

Definitely  have your battery load checked and also the alt ,local parts store will do this for free, journeys are bad to act crazy with a low battery charge also make sure the battery clamps are clean and tight.

This is TMI,
 
But i'm doing this with every Toilet in my building. 
there's a toilet in every stall, and about 3 stalls per restroom about 20 restrooms in my building. 
 

Try here:
https://www.navtool.com/jeep-cherokee-2014-2018-smartphone-mirroring-category.aspx
 
I am looking to add CarPlay to my Cherokee. Looked at NUMEROUS sites, this one seems the easiest and least intrusive for the Jeep.  Just waiting for them to get more in..  Not even sure they support the DJ, but it’s worth a look.
 

This is normal (in my 2011) 
I believe the car is cycling the vents closed to prevent moisture intrusion. Why it does it in phases is beyond me.
I've spent the night in the car a few times and it'll do it with no prompt. 

It's only abnormal if it
1) make noises that are worse than normal:  'normal: electronic servo noises' (Bad: clank clank grinding gear noises or similar)
2) keeps going for more than 30 seconds: Normal: 15 -30 seconds of noises, then silence. (Bad: aimlessly cycle over and over and over for 2-3 minutes)
3) during normal engine-on operation you cannot get the different vent modes (defog, floor, face, recirc, or heat / cool to operate in all three zones. this means the blend/bleeder mechanisms have failed, and need replacement.
 

This is normal (in my 2011) 
I believe the car is cycling the vents closed to prevent moisture intrusion. Why it does it in phases is beyond me.
I've spent the night in the car a few times and it'll do it with no prompt. 

It's only abnormal if it
1) make noises that are worse than normal:  'normal: electronic servo noises' (Bad: clank clank grinding gear noises or similar)
2) keeps going for more than 30 seconds: Normal: 15 -30 seconds of noises, then silence. (Bad: aimlessly cycle over and over and over for 2-3 minutes)
3) during normal engine-on operation you cannot get the different vent modes (defog, floor, face, recirc, or heat / cool to operate in all three zones. this means the blend/bleeder mechanisms have failed, and need replacement.
 

Lot's of click bait....

I’m not an electronics expert,  but I was on web site for 5 mins.  Way too few technical specs for camera etc, does not seem legitimate.

I tow a 6ftx6ft camper. usually at 750 lbs. I use the Reese Hitch 2" drop from Walmart, but I've inverted the ball to raise it up to level. 
 
The DJ receiver is really low in comparison to most SUVs (even compared to it's crossover jeep counterparts), so, either level, or a little raise might be good.

PS - the 3.6 tows wonders. 

way above my skill level but i sure wish you all the best, hope you find what is causing you all the grief

Go0nna go pull the BCM and gage cluster from the "twin" tomorrow. and quite possibly the 4.3 screen and attending module. Dash is easy enough to work on to try, the BCM is in one heck of a spot in the A pillar behind the glove box!