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2011 - 3.8L JK Ignition problems

1148 Views 8 Replies 3 Participants Last post by  Tylerleee
Hey all -
So 2011 3.8L JK Unlimited 150k mileage. Driven 2500 rpm most of them time since I purchased about 5 months 50k miles ago. ( I know crazy mileage I travel for work)
First off Love jeeps this is my third and I’ll forever drive a Jeep. I paid about 20k for a used JK earlier this year. Body and engine looked good. No rust no codes whatever that’s about the reaches of my mechanical knowledge. Upon reception I immediately put money into it. Flsshpaq from Superchips, throttle body spacer, K&N cold air, every exterior and interior accessory from bumpers to winch to concert hall music and lift with 35’s. Never had one issue.
About 2 weeks ago I was driving highway in LA and whem I stopped for gas it would not crank again. I’ve been doing every install myself and have become quite familiar with the basic workings of the engine and a couple days and I gave up trying to fix it myself and called mechanic. I do not dive into shit I’m completely unfamiliar with so far from my garage. I had replaced battery, alternator, starter before calling. Anyways after 2 days and 1500 bucks turns out the fuse for my starter wasn’t set right and had come a loose. He changed master cylinder, oil, most other fluids, tire pressure etc. I immediately took an 800 mile drive to west Texas for work. Everything very smooth.
Fast forward a week. My check light comes I stop at ORieley’s it’sa cylinder 6 misfire. Ugh! He assures me it’s mostl likely dirty plugs. Whatever give me double iridium pre gap. It has been raining here and 3 days ago before work I ran through puddled water and It splashed but nothing over 6” deep. (I feel i should let you know I do not have inner fender liners since I installed the fenders a few months ago. Ordered aluminum ones yesterday) began driving to work only to start losing engine power on the highway until it dies on me. This was about 45 seconds after water splash. I grab a work truck tow home and go to work. Currently on 7-12s don’t have much time. That evening I pop #6 in and it starts misfiring and whole engine shaking. Next day because everything is old I replace wires, coil pack and all plugs except one I can’t really get out because I’m scared I’ll snap it in the block. Number 3 plug. Battery is AGM holding steady at 12.6 when off. Fuel is quarter tank, no water in oil, electrical all performing perfect. The engine will not fire off.
Best I can explain a soft rounded cough sputter every few seconds while holding down key. Sounds like it wants to back fire. Turns over and makes the I’m wanting to start noise and sounds very close but never fires. I rechecked everything. Didn’t have start fluid but tossed a little gas in manifold while holding key and nothing. Ohms almost 0 at my grounding connections. Battery still fine. I’m currently at work and calling mechanic soon as they open. I’m in Seminole, Texas a very small town not much selection. I have 2k I can toss at it comfortably maybe more depends. My eyes went crossed reading forum posts last night. Any recommendations or how should I approach the phone with mechanic? Any help as always is much appreciated. Sentence structure was always a week point and I’m sneaking around the plant trying to type this so forgive the hastily thrown together post.
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Do you have a CEL? What codes are you reading?
It is coming back clear but that’s with the code Reader on my flashpaq…if i buy a better one maybe it will?
I don’t know what the capabilities of the flash paq are. If there is not CEL showing than I doubt there will be a code.

Since this all happened after you drove through water, and you have a CAI and no fender liner, I would consider the possibility that your engine ingested water. Maybe pull the plugs and stick a borescope into each cylinder. Perhaps you will see damage or water or both.
I don’t know what the capabilities of the flash paq are. If there is not CEL showing than I doubt there will be a code.

Since this all happened after you drove through water, and you have a CAI and no fender liner, I would consider the possibility that your engine ingested water. Maybe pull the plugs and stick a borescope into each cylinder. Perhaps you will see damage or water or both.
Man I appreciate you getting back to me. I’m just getting off. I ordered a automotive scope from Amazon just now…75$ but thousands of 5 star reviews. I’ll let ya know Saturday what the results are.
Tried every iteration of that I could And again this morning with your direction. Nada! However, I did order A very bad ass one yesterday. It will be here Saturday as well.
So i purchased this off Amazon and it just got here as I was having my jeep towed to mechanic…I messed my back up at work and they are flying me home for therapy Friday evening…i did however manage to grab the meter and run diagnostics. The shop is 3 miles away but it’s hard for me to get up right now period. The only two codes (besides the amp wire code bc I’m aftermarket) that blew are as follows…..


B1630. Active. Right low beam control circuit high

B162C. Active Left low beam control circuit high




sorry pictures weren’t uploaded and decompressed in great quality….














Tried every iteration of that I could And again this morning with your direction. Nada! However, I did order A very bad ass one yesterday. It will be here Saturday as well.
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