Jeep Cherokee q

[GetCarter]

I know NOTHING about Jeep Cherokees so please forgive.

I live in the West Highlands and a chap here has said car (5.7 petrol?) with a dead starter motor. He insists that he cannot source a replacement ANYWHERE in the UK and is having one sent from Italy.

Can this be true? What do you Jeep Cherokee folk do when you need spare parts?

TIA

[Roo]

Absolutely correct.

Virtually all parts come from Italy.

Two reasons for it:
1. It's a much bigger market than here so they're more likely to keep spares.
2. They're owned by FIAT so it's the central European holding/distribution points.

[GetCarter]

Ta for that.

But out of interest... I own a couple of German cars. Why, when I need a starter motor, can I get one from Inverness - next day, and he has to get one from Italy, when there are Fiat dealerships up here?

Is it just that these cars are rare? (Having said that it is the most popular car in the village - there are two of them - population 98)

[Roo]

There's never been a massive demand for them here.

I sold the things for nearly ten years.

He could always ask my mate Darren at Magnum Automotive if he's got one knocking around. 01622 747647. He sources a lot of obscure parts from obsolete/overage stock from the UK dealer network.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Roo said:

2. They're owned by FIAT

Ain't it made by the Daimler/Chrysler Corporation?

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

but I see FIAT hold shares in Chrysler

[Roo]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

but I see FIAT hold shares in Chrysler

Responsible for all European stuff and a lot of vehicle crossover.

Chrysler Delta and Ypsilon etc.

[Deva Link]

I looked at these after hiring one in the US and was warned off as RHD specific parts can be very difficult to get hold of.

Re the starter motor - couldn't it be refurbed?

[yabadaba]

Maybe try getting one from the US....the 'Fiat' era prices are crazy. Rock Auto is where I normally shop for stock parts.

[tr7v8]

Auto electricals can generally be rebuilt by the local specialists. Plenty of alternative outlets for bits as well. I've used Mansfield Motors for bits as well as various other Jeep specialists. Plenty of alternatives to using Jeep.

[andym1603]

John R Wier (now Arnold Clark) the Mercedes dealer in Inverness is also the local Jeep dealer. Has your friend tried
to source a replacement unit from there?

[Roo]

andym1603 said:

John R Wier (now Arnold Clark) the Mercedes dealer in Inverness is also the local Jeep dealer. Has your friend tried
to source a replacement unit from there?

I would imagine that's why he's been told it's got to come from Italy.

I doubt any main dealer has one lying around.

[chryslerben]

Roo said:

I would imagine that's why he's been told it's got to come from Italy.

I doubt any main dealer has one lying around.

Uummmm let me check my secret stash on Monday I recall having one somewhere, might have binned it by now so no promises.

[chryslerben]

Sorry to say I've looked and its not there, got a feeling one of the gentlemen that was suggested to resign may have half inched it.

[GetCarter]

Thanks for looking.