[Going Commando]

Noticed a small puddle of clear liquid under the front, driver's side bumper on my garage floor; the first morning after we brought it home. I figured it was just residual water draining from somewhere after they washed it. However, this morning there was still drippings. Smelled the clear liquid and it was reminiscent of rubbing alcohol or vodka, so I went searching for an answer. Opened the washer fluid reservoir, and found the same smelling liquid. Opened up the little access door in the front, driver's side wheel well and noticed that the pump was slowly leaking.

Called the dealer and the earliest appointment they have is 3 weeks away... didn't matter to them that my car has less than 50 miles on it and is 2 days old... awesome service!

So, rather than waste my time with them, I drained the tank to stop the leaking and will apply a thin coating of silicone sealant around the bottom seam of the pump, which is where it seemed to be leaking from. Will then fill up with a small amount of fluid to test. Quite annoyed :|

 

[Sarapdot]

Bummer! I am not happy to hear about all these little problems the Renegade is having. :|

 

[raz-0]

And when I have spoken of the quality of the dealer network factoring into reliability/initial quality surveys. This is what I'm talking about.

It's a small assembly problem. It should be super simple to fix. 3 weeks for an appointment. Flip a coin if they tell you to come back because all they know how to do is R&R parts, and the part isn't available.

Piss off the customer as much as possible so they fill out the survey in rage. Great plan.

 

[miniJeepTV]

Flip a coin if they tell you to come back because all they know how to do is R&R parts, and the part isn't available.

This could be a real issue. Since you've identified the problem, see if the will get the part on order now so you might have it by the time the appointment rolls around. Or if you're already taking it apart to fix it and the new part is in stock, see if they will file the paperwork and just give you the part.

 

[Greenjp]

Noticed a small puddle of clear liquid under the front, driver's side bumper on my garage floor; the first morning after we brought it home. I figured it was just residual water draining from somewhere after they washed it. However, this morning there was still drippings. Smelled the clear liquid and it was reminiscent of rubbing alcohol or vodka, so I went searching for an answer. Opened the washer fluid reservoir, and found the same smelling liquid. Opened up the little access door in the front, driver's side wheel well and noticed that the pump was slowly leaking.

Called the dealer and the earliest appointment they have is 3 weeks away... didn't matter to them that my car has less than 50 miles on it and is 2 days old... awesome service!

So, rather than waste my time with them, I drained the tank to stop the leaking and will apply a thin coating of silicone sealant around the bottom seam of the pump, which is where it seemed to be leaking from. Will then fill up with a small amount of fluid to test. Quite annoyed :|

I'm going to take a guess that you bought your Renny from a different dealer and you're being snubbed by the dealer you want to fix it. The selling dealer would have 5 techs and 3 mangers under your hood 5 min after you drove in.

 

[raz-0]

I'm going to take a guess that you bought your Renny from a different dealer and you're being snubbed by the dealer you want to fix it. The selling dealer would have 5 techs and 3 mangers under your hood 5 min after you drove in.

That's a theory, but if a dealer makes a good chunk of their revenue from service, and fca pays warranty, why be like that.

It's a bad dealer, and that's it. Some dealers are awful even if you bought there. Some are good, even if you didn't.

It could also be fca' bad answer to initial quality scores. A temporary fix until you can get a part in might be the right thing, but if your parts supply sucks, telling you dealer network no appointments without a part gets you from two visits to one visit. V

 

[Foobar]

That's a theory, but if a dealer makes a good chunk of their revenue from service, and fca pays warranty, why be like that.

It's a bad dealer, and that's it. Some dealers are awful even if you bought there. Some are good, even if you didn't.

It could also be fca' bad answer to initial quality scores. A temporary fix until you can get a part in might be the right thing, but if your parts supply sucks, telling you dealer network no appointments without a part gets you from two visits to one visit. V

Yep, a dealer makes more money off of service than selling new cars. This is seriously just a bad dealer, in my opinion. Even if the root cause is poor part availability from FCA for a brand new vehicle - they could have at least made an attempt to patch it up until then.

 

[mndlorah]

I'm having a problem with my Renegade washer fluid not working. I haven't used it since I bought it in November until now when we got some bad weather.. I tried to use it and it wouldn't work. I checked the reservoir it was empty. I filled it and it worked fine. I left it sit over night in the driveway and it wouldn't work again as if it was empty on the way to work this morning. No sensor I guess to let you know its low or empty? I'm going to check the reservoir again after work. I'm assuming there is a leak somewhere. Hopefully the dealer doesn't give me a hard time.

 

[Oldav8tor]

They shouldn't - They will probably have to order parts so that may cause a little delay in getting it attended to.

 

[tlo]

I'm having a problem with my Renegade washer fluid not working. I haven't used it since I bought it in November until now when we got some bad weather.. I tried to use it and it wouldn't work. I checked the reservoir it was empty. I filled it and it worked fine. I left it sit over night in the driveway and it wouldn't work again as if it was empty on the way to work this morning. No sensor I guess to let you know its low or empty? I'm going to check the reservoir again after work. I'm assuming there is a leak somewhere. Hopefully the dealer doesn't give me a hard time.

I bought a new Renegade in 2017 had it for just over 3 years , only done 7800 miles , screen washers not working found reservoir empty & rear passenger side foot well wet it looks like the the fluid pipe burst , any advice on how to fix

 

[puddlesplasher]

Depending on where the leak is it can be a 2 minute job to fix.

Lift/remove the plastic foot plate at the passenger door and peel back the carpet. The pipe runs alongside the electrical wiring loom (I know, water and electrics ).

Find the leak, cut the pipe:

• From your local petshop/tropical fish shop get an insert that fits into the diameter of the washer pipe and connect both ends. This will give a reduced water flow but a higher internal water pressure at the joint.
• From the same place above ^^^ or perhaps a piece of scrap plastic piping , slip it over the top of both sides of the cut pipe and cover the cut pipe.
• Liquid toilet soap/detergent easily lubricates the pipe.
• For additional strength and bonding, slip a piece of heat shrink especially if you find the self gluing type, over the top of the joint and apply some heat from a hair dryer, cigarette lighter etc.

That's the repair completed.

Replace the door foot plate.

 

[tlo]

Depending on where the leak is it can be a 2 minute job to fix.

Lift/remove the plastic foot plate at the passenger door and peel back the carpet. The pipe runs alongside the electrical wiring loom (I know, water and electrics ).

Find the leak, cut the pipe:

• From your local petshop/tropical fish shop get an insert that fits into the diameter of the washer pipe and connect both ends. This will give a reduced water flow but a higher internal water pressure at the joint.
• From the same place above ^^^ or perhaps a piece of scrap plastic piping , slip it over the top of both sides of the cut pipe and cover the cut pipe.
• Liquid toilet soap/detergent easily lubricates the pipe.
• For additional strength and bonding, slip a piece of heat shrink especially if you find the self gluing type, over the top of the joint and apply some heat from a hair dryer, cigarette lighter etc.

That's the repair completed.

Replace the door foot plate.

Thanks Puddlesplasher for the advice appreciated.