Safety Recall N23 for WH anyone had it done yet?

[berko82]

So, having owned an 05 TJ and a 98 XJ previously and being a proudly self-confessed Jeep Nut, I am in the market again for another 4x4 to suit as a family car.

Obviously I wanted Jeep, and had settled on an updated (08 > 2010) WH Grand CRD Larado....couldn't justify stretching the Budget for a WK yet, KK's got bad review for 4x4 ability and not enough room, Commander...meh.

Went and Test drove a June 09 last week. Tested the 4Lo system and it came up with the 'Service 4WD System' fault and wouldn't engage.
The dealer went away and rang his 'mates' at Jeep, and they told him it was a recall and a Reflash to fix. Easy enough I thought...but I might do some research...and here I am.

Can anyone say if there is a proper permanent fix, and if the bad issues that other posters in this thread (multiple reflashes, new parts not arriving, going to Fair Trading) are a minority and many of the WH's that have had the issue and/or gone back for the recall have been fixed successfully?

Having read about 35+ pages of this thread, I'm thinking I might be looking elsewehere for my next 4x4, which is really disappointing as a Jeep and Chrysler lover (have a 69 VF Hardtop that has burned a massive hole in the pocket).

Might be looking towards Mitsubishi...09/10 Pajero's or maybe even new challenger. Damn you FC, see what you have made me do! (unless I can somehow convince the missus that I should get a CRD Unlimited and a different car for the family )

[Goofee]

It seems the latest flash works provided the dealer does it exactly as stated on their tsb the fuse trick works on mine and will generally shift no probs for weeks if you do go a wh gc try to get a quadra drive II they like to lift wheels. Ps i have an 07 crd limited and love it po we rful comfortable and capable; -)

[berko82]

Thanks Goofee...Quadra Trac and Larado are fine for me...It will be getting used but not looking to do heaps of serious offroading, - would like to know that the 4Lo is going to work when I do go...after all, that is the reason for getting a 4wd!

Really hope someone here can put me at ease with going ahead with a WH GC - am stumped for choice otherwise!?.

[JamesLaugesen]

If the WH GC ticks all your boxes, then go for it.
This N23 debacle doesn't warrant giving-up on the car in my opinion.
Most of the frustration the guys here have is really due to having an existing car suddenly useless (as a 4wd.), and ending up out of pocket/time as a result.

You know in advance, so you can just put the fix as a condition of sale and factor any costs/hassle into the equation.

All this stuff isn't at-all indicative of the model, or Chrysler.
Sure most dealers are crap, but that's nothing new.

It's still a great vehicle.

PS; I think most people who get on here with a QTII eventually end-up wishing they'd got the QDII. QT is still great, but dont rule-out a QD if you can find one for similar money. Even doing mild 4wding/touring, you're bound to come across the odd hiccup (exiting river crossing, road damage etc.). The "locking" diffs make stuff like that just so much smoother, less stress on the drivetrain, brakes etc. Driving on slick mud or ice especially is where QT with traction control can't compare, TC is constantly taking power away from you while the QD keeps all the wheels moving and let's you drive properly.

[berko82]

Thanks James, good comments.
I am going to call Albion Jeep in the morning. I have seen them mentioned in this thread a couple of times, so i would assume they should be aware of the fix. Will quiz them on the latest flash and clear alarms 3times, and if they are doing the Actuator replacement FOC if the flash doesn't fix it.

It so great to have this site for all the jeepers to help each other out...sometimes puts the scares up each other too though!

[Wanderer]

Mate had the N23 patch (fix) done last week and he's given it a hammering to see if it's now fixed and no "Service 4WD System" mesage and loss od 4WD Lo..He's happy with it and the WH is back to what it should have been ..A great 4x4....But still if I were buying one then I'd certainly make sure the dealer will give written assurance (& honour it) that the vehicle is fully functional and if it suffers the same issue related to the N23 reflash after purchase then they will fix it or refund..Why?? Well I don't trust a software fix for what was initally a harware failure (cracked circuit board) and FC's dodgy efforts so far on this vindicated by reading back throught this thread

[berko82]

I rang Albion Jeep this morning. It appears from the VIN and the Chrysler Records that this WH has't been in to have the flash done yet. The guy I talked to said that if it has this problem, and hasn't had the flash yet, then it could be related to something else?!

If I am going to go ahead with this one, it will be after it has been in to have it repaired and working with the flash done aswell.

Another thing the guys at Albion said is that there is a new Flash which means they don't have to replace the Actuator any more?...Any on have news/ideas on that?