Jeeps are a staple vehicle that are easy to work on. Most of the issues that come about with any Jeep are relatively easy to diagnose and fix. One of the common concerns amongst Jeep Owners is why the Jeep is running rich and what are some common fixes for those reasons.
The most common reasons a Jeep is running rich is from faulty or old MAP, MAF, and oxygen sensors. Other common causes are from a faulty coolant temp sensor, a bad fuel pressure regulator or an IAT sensor malfunction.
As frustrating as it can be to deal with a Jeep that is running rich, once the solution is found other parts of the system are bound to need replacing soon as well. Since all the systems are working together in tandem with one another, the readings from one sensor have a drastic effect on the performance of specific parts of that specific system.
Common Reasons A Jeep is Running Rich
There are several common reasons why a Jeep is running rich. When the Jeep is receiving more fuel than it is supposed to create a perfect balance of fuel/air ratio mixtures, the Jeep is running rich.
If the spark plugs and ignition coils are in proper working order, then it is time to move on to some of the more sensitive issues that tend to go unnoticed.
- Faulty Map Sensors
- Old Oxygen Sensor(s)
- Bad MAF sensor
- Bad Coolant Temperature Sensor
- Fuel Pressure Regulator
- IAT Sensor Malfunction
Here’s a video walk-through of some of things to check when a Jeep is running rich:
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A Faulty MAP Sensor
The manifold absolute pressure sensor on most fuel injected Jeeps is located either on the intake manifold or the next to the throttle body. The MAP sensor tells the Jeep how much air pressure is required to keep the engine running at optimal air/fuel mixture.
This sensor controls the fuel injectors and how long they are activated to help create the perfect fuel/air ratio. (source: motortrend.com)
When the sensor is faulty many things occur:
- The injector runs for too long and injects too much fuel into the cylinder
- Poor Drivability
- Rough Idling
- Rich exhaust (white smoke coming from the tailpipe)
- Vacuum leak errors
How to fix a faulty map sensor
The map sensor tells the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) how to adjust the amount of fuel to create the correct air/fuel mixture. The only fix for a faulty MAP sensor is to replace the sensor.
The trick is to catch the problem before it throws a code, which can be challenging since the ECU will only trigger a check engine light after the sensor fails completely and stops sending signals to the ECU.
The Mass Air Flow Sensor Measures the Air Flow into the Engine
The Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF) has a separate function over the MAP sensor. The MAF measures the amount of air that is being sent into the engine (over the pressure that the MAP measures) When this sensor is faulty, it miscalculates the amount of air that it allows into the engine to create that perfect air/fuel mixture.
There is no testing these sensors, only replacement
Sadly, these sensors get dirty or fail entirely and the only way to fix the issue is to either clean them off with a professional grade mass air flow sensor cleaner, or to replace them entirely.
The Oxygen Sensor for the Waste Product (Exhaust) is Faulty
Ironically the Oxygen Sensor (O2) sensor is a feedback instrument that measures the results of the previous interaction to adjust within the system. Meaning that after the other two sensors combine and regulate the air/fuel mixture they receive feedback from the O2 sensor to make sure they got the right answer.
When the O2 sensor is faulty or bad, the reading that the ECU receives from the O2 sensor tells the computer that there was an error in the computer’s calculation, and it needs to make an adjustment. When the O2 sensor reads faulty, it sends that bad information to the ECU which then follows directions and makes the adjustments to the air/fuel mixture control units (i.e., Fuel injectors, pressure regulators, etc.).
How to Fix a Faulty O2 Sensor(s)
Each Jeep has a minimum of two Oxygen sensors, (Unless the Jeep was pre-circa nineteen ninety-eight -two thousand- and four-year models). Mostly located on the exhaust manifold before and after the catalytic convertor (pre-ninety-eight was typically only before the catalytic convertor usually directly on the exhaust manifold).
Since some Jeeps can have up to four separate O2 sensors it can be troublesome trying to determine which sensor is bad and what the issue is.
If there is a code that was tripped by the computer, then the code may tell a person exactly what sensor is bad, for example, a code could read that the air/fuel mixture reading in bank one sensor two is off, or the code could provide additional secondary codes following that diagnosis suggesting that all the sensors are reading incorrectly.
A general rule is that if it is only one sensor, then that is probably the issue, if it is multiple sensors then the other sensors mentioned above should be thoroughly checked and cleaned before replacing all the O2 sensors on the Jeep.
Why a Jeep Grand Cherokee is Running Rich
Aside from the above issues and common fixes, when a code is triggered in the ECU, it may not always be the problem that needs to be fixed.
For instance, Cherokee forum user Earthling 1984 mentions some issues that were experience with a code for a faulty O2 sensor only to discover that the problem was more than likely the MAP sensor.
The Code that is sent to the computer is a result of something, if the O2 sensor is reading incorrectly, according to what the range is set by the manufacturer, then the most direct result would be to replace the O2 sensor.
However, the Map sensor controls the fuel injectors and a faulty one would create an imbalance of air/fuel mixture in the combustion chambers. As a result, the O2 sensor(s) will appear to read incorrectly on a consistent basis triggering a faulty code.
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How to Fix a Rich Running Jeep
Troubleshooting the Jeep with any model is the only way to fix a rich running Jeep. There are several different problems that could cause a Jeep to run rich. Start with the most common solution and work down the list until the problem is fixed.
Once the code is triggered for a check engine light, the symptom is only confirmed, not the problem which is half the fun of troubleshooting.