2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.7L: Diagnosing P0202, P0175, P0300, P0301, P0302 Codes and Rough Idle/Stalling Issues
I own a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee with a 4.7L V8 engine, currently at 120,000 miles. The vehicle was running smoothly until recently when it began idling poorly and eventually stalled upon startup. After checking the OBD-II diagnostic system, I found multiple fault codes: P0202, P0175, P0300, P0301, and P0302. I replaced the spark plugs and coils for cylinders 1 and 2 before clearing the codes. After the swap, the engine still idles roughly but no longer reports any errors. However, the symptoms persist—especially the rough idle and stalling when I release the accelerator pedal. I’ve also noticed a knocking sound coming from cylinder #2. I suspect a fuel delivery issue related to cylinder #2, possibly due to an open injector circuit (P0202) or a rich mixture causing misfires (P0175, P0301, P0302). The presence of multiple misfire codes suggests either a faulty injector, wiring issues, or a mechanical problem such as a valve follower failure. I’ve been advised to test fuel pressure under key-off conditions (KOEO) and check for a quick or slow drop—where a rapid drop may indicate a failing fuel pump, while a gradual drop could point to an injector issue. I also plan to inspect the wiring harness at cylinder #2 using a noid light or multimeter. Additionally, I’ve recently discovered that the valve cover reveals a worn rocker arm (follower) from cylinder 2—this may be contributing to poor compression and misfires. I’m now concerned whether a weak valve spring could cause such mechanical failure.
Are you using an OBD-II scanner? The 'key dance' (on-off) trick may not capture all stored codes. Allow sufficient runtime to reset the system. Use a scanner to monitor fuel trim values and pre-cat oxygen sensor readings. Without a scanner, test fuel pressure with a gauge—observe any drop during key-off engine operation. A rich condition could stem from injector #2 staying open (P0202 and P0175). Check spark plugs 1 and 2 for signs of fouling. A noid light is recommended to verify injector circuit functionality at cylinder #2.