1st Jul 2004, 20:30

I bought a 95 Grand Cherokee Limited in late 1998 with 30K on it. I had to replace the viscous coupler, it was an easy job and the part cost me $300. My then-little kids and I did it one saturday morning. The air conditioning isn't great, I recharge it every year with 1 lb. of 134. Had to replace a distributor. It now has 130,000 on it and has been an awesome vehicle overall. Cast iron block with cast iron heads? That engine will go 300,000 miles. It will last me until my kids are out of college, then I'll get another used one or a used Rubicon. All these complainers should be complaining about their dealer taking them to the cleaners, not the vehicle.

2nd Oct 2004, 12:40

I have a 2000 Grand Cherokee Limited with the 4.7l V8. I bought the truck January 31 2003 with 81,000 mile on it. the jeep felt like it was binding up & making a grinding noise upon hard acceleration. I changed the the fluid in the transfer case with ATF+4, synthetic & only available at the dealer, the noise is now gone. I currently have 105,000 miles & the problem has never returned. try changing the fluid, use the recommended or updated fluid from Chrysler only, at least once a year & you should not have any problems.

7th Dec 2004, 12:34

OK I have a 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. 4x4 with a 4 inch lift an it ran great great off road just all around fun. well recently it is not getting spark out of the coil. I put on a new distrib. cap and rotor, new wires an plugs. new ignition coil and tested both cam an crank sensors both got readings an are OK. but still no spark the only other thing I can think of is a computer. what else can it be?

8th Dec 2004, 08:09

I have a 98 Grand Cherokee, 80,xxx miles (I bought it new). It's just the same old news I've heard from everyone else. Viscous coupler failure! The dealer told me it would cost $1200 just for the part, what a rip off! I have had the front and rear differentials replaced (under warranty thank God). Plus, most of the seals are leaking too. I will never buy a Jeep again!!!

9th May 2005, 01:39

OK, I have read though every comment on here, and thanks, I found my problem. the VISCOUS COUPLER!! other than the grinding noise and jumping in tight turns I love my jeep gand cherokee limited with the 5.2 318. it's a 94 with 146,000 miles. guess I'll spend the $450 to fix. its about to become a trail truck. thanks again.

24th May 2005, 12:57

I fixed the VC problem by changing the transfer case to a non quadratrac case. all you need to do is swap the in put shaft and pick up $30 in seals. No more problems.

2nd Jul 2005, 12:13

OK, so my vicous coupler is shot too. I drive and love my 93 Grand Wagoneer an average of 20,000 miles a year. It's getting around the 145,000 mileage. What a shame that so many are having trouble with this. There is a place to complain however, and that is at www.recalls.gov.

Couldn't hurt to try.

13th Jun 2007, 11:36

My 1995 GC I-6 has 189,000 on it now (June 2007). I've had my fair share of repairs (wiring harness for power windows at 45k, front rubber axle boots around 100k, oil pan gasket and other oil leaks at around 150k, rear brakes (froze caliper), new radiator at 160k, to name a few things...)

The viscous clutch problem showed up a few years ago with that "jumping" or tire screeching as you turn corners, especially when it was very hot outside, and after a long freeway drive. A shop I use recommended changing the oil and adding a "conditioner" to it. I think that was sometime last summer (around 155k). It seemed to work, even took it on a long vacation from MN to Florida (but ran hot, needed a new radiator - fixed that now).

But just last week it was hot, after a long drive, and the clutch started to "jump" or lock up again. So now, with 189,000 miles, and the vehicle is in fairly good "shape", I'm trying to decide if it is worth it to replace the clutch (for over a thousand...) or just change oil again and sell it soon. I was planning on taking it on another vacation to the mountains, but maybe not...

I would say that getting it close to 200,000 miles with the clutch still in it - it has done well considering all the other posts. I don't do a lot of hard city driving, though.

10th Nov 2007, 08:04

Thanks to all the posters. I have a 1994 JGC and just noticed what I'm now certain is the viscous coupling issue. Otherwise I'm very pleased with the vehicle. We do not depend on it though. This is mainly used as a secondary vehicle. If I had to rely on it every day, I might not be so thrilled.

Anyone know how long it takes before the VC issue becomes impossible to drive around?

Thanks...

13th Jul 2008, 09:37

Just bought a 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee for 500 bucks from one of my residents... great shape, had to do some minor repairs and upkeep from their neglect.

One issue remains, it's the turning issue, you pull into parking spot and it feels like the car is hopping while simultaneously being stopped by something. It also does in while backing up, the vehicle goes a few feet fine, then it's like it doesn't want to roll anymore and comes to a stop..

After reading this it looks like the viscous thing... my mechanic says he can get one for 600, and then wants 4-500 to put it in... ouch! Just wondering how long it will last before having to max out a credit card...

1st Oct 2008, 23:37

I just bought my third 95 GC Limited Orvis. I sold my last one to a friend when it got to 245k miles and it still runs like a champ. The one I just bought (100K miles) has the grinding/hopping problem when I turn. From the info here it sounds like the VC problem. I never had this with either of my other Jeeps but I guess my luck was bound to run out.

10th Jul 2011, 11:38

We had the same problem. We changed the crank sensor and no more problems. That is the only thing that has been wrong with our 1994 Jeep I6. Purchased 6 years ago.