[rsanges]

I've got the same issue on my TH (3/15 build date). I've posted in that other thread you linked to, but it would be nice to start one dedicated to this. I plan on waiting until my first dealer oil change and see what they say. The sound (to me) is more annoying than worrisome.



Here's my take on it:
It sound and feels like a weak rumble strip. It is barley noticeable on coarse pavement as it is drowned out by tire noise. Above about 40 mph it is either gone or covered up by other noises. It does not matter if I've been driving for 5 minutes or 5 hours.


I can switch it on/off at will. It's only present in auto-shift and auto-4wd. If I lock 4wd or change to manual shift mode it goes away completely, or will never occur if left in those modes. If I leave it in auto and keep a steady throttle at 25-35 mph the noise/vibration will "switch on" after about 10 seconds. I'm sure I could time it's start with a stopwatch as it seems 100% repeatable on my normally traveled routes.


If it's making the noise/vibration, it will switch off if I either: shift to the manual-mode transmission gate, or lock the 4wd. Within 10 seconds of switching either back to auto the noise/vibration returns. Like clockwork - it switches on and off very abruptly. It is definitely something in the system switching something on/off.

 

[rsanges]

If it is missing in 4 lock it may be something to do with the rear axle disconnect. A grinding noise can never be good.

My noise could never be described as "grinding". That's why I feel okay waiting it out until it's broken, or I take it in for an oil change.


Why, would you guess, it goes away in manual shift mode? Is 4wd locked in manual shift mode too?

 

[rsanges]

My Dealer has had my renegade for over a week now, for the second time on this issue. I just happened to get a survey from jeep in my email today, so I filled it out, I also found a phone number, and was able to log a case with Jeep customer care. I suggest everyone having the problem do the same thing. Perhaps Jeep will escalate this to get it fixed faster, no offense to the jeep care rep on this thread. But after all if many of us log a case, MAYBE, the priority will go up.


I called 877-426-5337

I'm not sure why your Jeep is stuck at the dealer if FCA has acknowledged the existence of this anomaly, but does not yet have a resolution to mitigate it. Is your service department going to spear-head the solution? I doubt it. You should get your Jeep back and drive it!

 

[rsanges]

is there a youtube or other recording of the noise.
My trailhawk does not seem to have it at 800 miles.
People often moan about my ability to hear every noise.

It's a pretty subtle noise/vibration. I don't think any armature recording devices would be able to catch it - mine anyway. That's why I don't consider it a real problem. I'd eliminate it, if there is a fix - but I'm not rushing to the dealer to have it looked at.

 

[rsanges]

Adding mine to this thread too...
Just started noticing this about 1000 miles ago, I'm at 6k now...and I can only describe the noise as almost a rumble or a whirring as well as the vibration in the pedal.. Drives me nuts..guess its time for a field trip to the dealer for me too...

Please keep us posted how that goes. I'm thinking most dealers are still clueless about how to fix this.

 

[rsanges]

I'm taking my Renegade in next week for service and notified them of this issue. Hopefully they are intelligent enough to know what needs to be fixed and take care of it without too much hassle.

Good luck with that! I'd really like to have an update when you can. I'm coming up on first scheduled service, and my studded snow tires are coming off - so I'll be able to distinguish the noise from the tire rumble (you in the North East US have me to thank for the lack of snow this past winter).
From what I've heard it sounds as if the service departments are clueless about some known issues (such as this) until we get them on track so they get the info they need from "above".

 

[rsanges]

Just got mine back from the dealer this morning after having the rear diff and rear diff module replaced. I will let you guys know if the noise returns.

If it does, it may be time to invoke the "lemon law". This is its 4th trip back for the same issue.

If your noise is bad enough for you to consider giving up your vehicle, then it is definitely a different noise from mine.

 

[rsanges]

So you're ok rsanges, with driving around a new vehicle that makes noise...any noise, especially one that sounds like what these owners on the forum are experiencing ?

Re-read my last comment. My noise is not that bad. I couldn't hear it at all with my snow tires on (BTW, I am one of the initial posters to this thread and commented elsewhere about my noise before this thread existed). My vehicles make lots of noises: tire noises, engine noises, wind noises, transmission noises, ventilation noises, etc. The reason this one stands out is not due to its magnitude, but the odd/unexplained reason for it.

I do intend to ask the service department about it, when the vehicle is due for its first oil change. So far, for most posters, bringing the noise to the attention of their service department has been less than effective. So, I'm hoping my delay in whining about the whining will give the dealership(s) a chance to know how to actually remedy it on the first attempt.

If nothing can be done for this noise, I will easily just live with it (along with all the other noises). By that time my noise will be documented with FCA so if problems result I will have fuel for a warranty claim.

The point of my previous post was just as simple as the sentence seems to be. Maybe some of these vehicles are making more noise than others.

 

[rsanges]

If it made the noise (my noise) 100% of the time, I probably wouldn't have noticed it. The only reason it caught my attention was because it has a very specific on/off nature.

 

[rsanges]

Update... I moved the shifter from D to the +/- and holy smokes the rumbling/vibrating went away.

I realize this is a long thread, but this is not a revelation. I reported this in post #2 of this thread.

You should at least read the first few posts of a thread you are adding too - just say'in.

 

[rsanges]

I speculate that no one has replied because no one has had it 100% repaired.

 

[rsanges]

I believe a few people on this thread have had that (and additional parts) replaced, but the noise/vibration persists, if perhaps at a reduced level.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong. Has this been successfully resolved for anyone?

 

[rsanges]

They might have just left it idling for 60 minutes too. That'll drag down the mpg.

 

[rsanges]

I am thus still forced to drive this everyday in manual to avoid the problem and/or borrow my parents SUVs to get back and forth to work.

Just wondering: How bad (loud) is your noise? There is no way mine is bad enough to go through that! (Description of my noise is post #2 of this thread.) Also, I love driving my Renegade in manual mode. It makes a world of difference in performance and enjoyment.

 

[rsanges]

As it gets colder...
Did I read somewhere that the Renegade automatically goes into AWD mode when the temperature is below a certain temperature? If it does, don't let that mess with anyone's diagnosis of a solution or repair result, because this noise/rumbling goes away in AWD mode.

 

[rsanges]

Above 38 degrees (as indicated by the vehicle), it happens. Below that and nothing. Just some thoughts.

There are people on this forum better at digging up info than I, but I recall (maybe in the Jeep produced video of the AWD system?) that the control system automatically switches to AWD below a certain temperature. Since we know that manually engaging AWD eliminates the noise/rumble, then maybe that's what is going on here.

 

[rsanges]

Fuel economy, and general sound/handling says its not in awd.

With all due respect, I'm not sure you should dismiss the possibility that the system is switching automatically to awd below a specified temperature, and that may be the cause of the rumble changes you are observing. Consider these points:

• It is a fact (according to Jeep's own information) that the system automatically engages awd when certain environmental conditions are met, and that one of those conditions is low outside temperature.

• I believe most people who are observing this rumble sensation will agree that it goes away when the system is placed in awd mode manually.

• I don't believe that engaging awd makes observable handling changes under normal, fair weather, driving conditions. Nor does it make a significant change in observed short term fuel consumption. Certainly there is no more change in fuel consumption than that caused by minute-to-minute driving condition changes (curves, grade and speed changes).

raz-0, I do value your observations of this. Accurate observations are the key to troubleshooting anything.

 

[rsanges]

Does anybody know root cause for this issue and how to fix this? I hope this is NOT a characteristic of this car as I can't stand it and it happens around the speed that I frequently travel at.

Made appointment with dealer but usually unless check engine is on or something is making horrible noise those guys will say one of the two things:
- can't replicate
- that's how it should be
What a headache ... I guess it is a Jeep thing?

This thread should really be coupled with this thread: http://www.jeeprenegadeforum.com/forum/353-trailhawk/28737-noise-30mph.html
I know it's been linked to before from here.
My opinion is you're wasting your time bringing it to a dealer. I don't believe there is a fix. It's just the way the rear disconnect works. I think it just bothers some people more than others. I happily live with mine and drive with the transmission in manual mode - which also prevents the noise.

The 9 speed is actually quite good when you tell it what gear to be in. It makes the vehicle much more fun to drive. It is quite brisk in traffic when you don't have to wait for the tranny to kick down 3 gears for a squirt of acceleration.

 

[rsanges]

A suggestion for approaching the "it's normal" argument.

Ask if it is normal, than what is the sound?

If the answer is "it's the 4wd" ask them why the sound goes away if you turn off traction control, because 4wd is still working with traction control off. Also why does the sound go away when activating the 4wd manually if it is the 4wd system?

If the answer is "It's traction control" and they say it goes away when you disable traction control because it's traction control, then ask them why traction control is engaging on smooth, dry pavement with no wheel slip? Ask them to fix the traction control then.

Basically turn it into new complaints they have to troubleshoot and let them know you won't go away.

I like that, truly. But I feel that people will be wasting trips to the dealer and time without their vehicle for a alleged "problem" that has no solution. I mean: great, if people want to go that route. Keep us posted. To me, the "problem" is so minor: just a small curiosity really, that I won't even bother with a call to the dealer.

If FCA actually make something that solves the itty-bitty noise/rumble that occurs during a small fraction of my driving time... I MAY go through the hassle of having them fix it.

I'm not willing to be one of the guinea pigs that has their vehicle in the shop endlessly.

 

[rsanges]

Headed back to the dealer this week after many unsuccessful attempts to remedy this. Hopefully there will be a positive outcome this time. Planning to push for answer's when told this is normal, maybe back to engineering. The noise has only gotten worse over time. Will update asap...

Be careful with your opinion on any repairs done in the cooler weather. I've read that the Renegade automatically engages AWD under many conditions. One of them is cold temperatures. Engaging AWD will eliminate the noise. So what you think is fixed may just be due to the low temperatures telling the system to use AWD.