Just got a lette rin the mail to take my 1996 JGC 4.0 I6 to the dealer to reprogram the PCM to be more sensitive for Catalytic Convertor failure/vibration. Also states that if the current Cat is vibrating they will cover the cost of replacement. I've never taken a vehicle in for a recall, should I take advantage of this? Anyone get the same letter? Any pitfalls I should watch out for? Thanks!

155k miles in Illinois

Take advantage of it but before any service is done make sure there are no hidden fees that are going to bounce at you. It shouldn't be none though. Also check to see if they will cover any problems that may occur from the service work being done, just cause they say this might make things better doesn't mean it will. No need to have anything done that will lead to money being spent later due to something they done and won't back it up.

This for v8's too? Wouldn't mind a new cat...

Emissions Recall E22- Reprogram the Powertrain Control Module and Inspection of the Catalytic Converter.

Administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency has determined that certain 1996 model year Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with a 4.0 liter engine and certain 1997 and 1998 Jeep Wrangler and Cherokee vehicles, and Dodge Dakota pickup trucks equipped with a 2.5 liter engine require modification in order to comply with the requirments of the Clean Air Act designed to protect health and welfare......

I've seen the letter, you should take it in. It's free work that could save you money if there is something wrong with the CC.

The thing you need to be aware of: if they replace the CC (free of charge) and there are other exhaust system components that need replaced -- those components will not be covered.

So it makes sense to at least take a good look at the exhaust pipe/muffler to not get any surprises.

Post up how it turns out.

So....has anyone had this service done???

Would like to know how it turned out....

I've seen the letter, you should take it in. It's free work that could save you money if there is something wrong with the CC.

The thing you need to be aware of: if they replace the CC (free of charge) and there are other exhaust system components that need replaced -- those components will not be covered.

So it makes sense to at least take a good look at the exhaust pipe/muffler to not get any surprises.

Post up how it turns out.

Not exactly true. Just had my "commuter" car, a 2000 pontiac sunfire's CC replaced 4x in last 5 months by dealer under warranty and they also replaced the muffler 2x due to CC breakdown clogging the muffler. I have a new exhaust from header to bumper Never paid a dime (so far).
Also they just replaced the computer also under warranty.
It's really up to the dealer and what kind of repore you have with them, You'd be surprised what will be warrantied if the Dealer likes you and what won't if they don't.

Not sure how work on a Sunfire applies to this recall...:grinno:

Anyone had this Jeep recall service (E22) done??

I havn't had it done yet, but I plan on getting it done soon, I will let all of you know.

"Not sure how work on a Sunfire applies to this recall."

What was meant by my statement was that if a DEALER likes you or wants they can warranty just about anything they want.
I HAD an entire exhaust from cat back and from header to cat replaced by Dealer and GM picked up the cost b/c of a bad cat.

The letter specifically states that they won't fix anything outside these two items under the recall. So based on that, as I noted, don't hope for anything except the reprogramming and maybe a cat replacement at no charge.

Don't see how dealer liking/not liking you has anything to do with it for the average owner. :grinno:

accually there are 4 recalls. I took my jeep in for this recall and found out that there are 4 so far. 1. PCM reflash 2. cat replacment 3. front rotors 4. somthing to do with the transmission. since they did all this to my jeep I havent had any problems aside from my trans slipping right after I first start it up and take off. does it once or twice then its fine.

I took mine in this week. I was having the stalling issue that has been discussed on here in depth, replaced damn near every sensor with no luck. I was hoping this would help, but it neither helped nor made it worse. The only two sensors I have left to replace is the MAP and Air temp/charge sensor... If I replace those, and I'm still having this stalling issue, I will be at my wits end with it... As for the recall, they have a 4 month back order on Cats at most Colorado dealerships, so I just had them do the update, and got the Cat from NAPA... My emissions testing is due this month, that's why I couldn't wait for them to get in any new Cats. :disappoin

I went to the dealership here in Florida and they said that I had an aftermarket cat. So nothing was done. Sorry! It is still stalling though.

I took mine in this week. I was having the stalling issue that has been discussed on here in depth, replaced damn near every sensor with no luck. I was hoping this would help, but it neither helped nor made it worse. The only two sensors I have left to replace is the MAP and Air temp/charge sensor... If I replace those, and I'm still having this stalling issue, I will be at my wits end with it... As for the recall, they have a 4 month back order on Cats at most Colorado dealerships, so I just had them do the update, and got the Cat from NAPA... My emissions testing is due this month, that's why I couldn't wait for them to get in any new Cats. :disappoin

So just to be clear - this stalling problem cropped up after the PCM update was done, on a vehicle that previously ran fine?

No. The stalling issue started 2 years ago. 6 months into the stalling, the Cat melted which led me to believe the two were related. I thought it was just a sensor issue which caused the engine to run too rich, resulting in the melted catalyst. I got the recall 7 months ago, and finally had the work done a couple weeks ago. I believe I finally got the stalling issue fixed though. I replaced the Idle Air Temp sensor last friday, and it's seemingly running fine now...

I took mine in for this last week. Took about an hour to complete, but that was from drive in to drive out, so not too bad.

I asked the service tech what the story was, and if there could be problems as a result of the reprogram without replacing the catc (since I knew mine rattled). He said that the PCM was set to run the vehicles with too rich a mixture, this caused the rattling in the catc in some cases. So the reprogram is an attempt to stop the rattling without a catc replacement at it's most basic.

Dealer put a new catc on order (stated at 9 weeks). The PCM reprogram reduced the rattling in my catc, but since it didn't eliminate it, that means I get a new one under the recall. I'll report on how that goes.

Now I can't speak to if others have had problems following this service, but,
My vehicle runs fine since the PCM reprogram...in fact, an issue I had with the VIC reporting bad tail-lamps went away after this service was done as well...don't know what the relation would be there...but can't complain.

I asked the service tech what the story was, and if there could be problems as a result of the reprogram without replacing the catc (since I knew mine rattled). He said that the PCM was set to run the vehicles with too rich a mixture, this caused the rattling in the catc in some cases. So the reprogram is an attempt to stop the rattling without a catc replacement at it's most basic.


I almost spit beer all over when I read that.The actual reason for the recall.and I quote the actual recall instructions -
The Powertain Control Module (PCM) on about 467,400 of the above vehicles may not be capable of detecting a deteriorating catalytic converter. Also, under certain conditions, some catalytic converters may be subject to mechanical degradation that causes a rattle.

Has anyone had any problems with the breaks in their 1996 Jeep? Anyone have problems while driving on the Highway...my jeep feels like it can't keep up with the speed I'm going. I hope this makes sense, but when you are driving, you and the passengers are being bounced around especially forward and backwards. I just got new tires a couple of months ago. Any ideas on what this is?

This has what in common with the PCM/Cat Recall ???????

Has anyone had any problems with the breaks in their 1996 Jeep? Anyone have problems while driving on the Highway...my jeep feels like it can't keep up with the speed I'm going. I hope this makes sense, but when you are driving, you and the passengers are being bounced around especially forward and backwards. I just got new tires a couple of months ago. Any ideas on what this is?