I have an 08 3.7l h3 with some issues I'm trying to address before I drive it off a cliff. First issue is that it randomly thinks someone is trying to steal the truck or doesn't recognize the key or something and the theft light flashes and I cannot start it for ten minutes. From my research I feel like this is a fairly common issue but I cannot seem to find an assured fix for the problem.

The newest issue has happened twice over the last month when I go start the truck and it starts in limp mode, it feels like it is running on 2 cylinders, and the dash is lit up like a Christmas tree, saying reduced power, and all kinds of errors, etc etc.. After cutting off and on a few times it goes away and drives normal. I pulled the codes and all I got was a p0300 random misfire and a p2716 throttle position not learned, which I feel like may just be from after starting in limp mode. Any ideas?? Any insight or a direction to start in would be much appreciated.

 

I also at the beginning of the year had to clear the drain tubes in the sun roof bc it was pooling up and dumping on me or running down my pillars and coming out under the dash when it would rain. But that has been quite some time but not sure if the water could have attributed to any of the issues and since clearing I haven't had any other issues when it rains.

 

10 minutes? Less time to remove the knee bolster & lower steering column cover, disconnect ignition switch and clean connections!

 

Mine went into limp mode same as you've described. I removed and cleaned the throttle body. It was very dirty. I've read this messes with the throttle plate position. Been good since.

 

Are you still using the OEM crappy Battery Terminal Connectors.

Your sunroof leak may have already done damage to the BCM.

How did you "clear the drain tubes in the sun roof"?

 

I will try cleaning throttle body and see if it helps. Fingers crossed the bcm is fine, but I guess it could be a possibility. I'm not throwing any U codes at the moment. I blew the lines out with an air compressor. Not sure if that was a no no, but it was middle of monsoon season in NC and I was sick of getting wet lol but there hasn't been any water in the trough or cab or on my floorboards since. I also was unaware the battery terminal connectors were an issue but that would be a simple fix thats worth giving a shot.

I also read somewhere once that disconnecting the door switch resolves the passlock issue, which I tried. It seemed to work, but being the issue is random I cannot confirm or deny it did anything at all. I did however get tired of manually cutting my radio on and off everytime I drove it so I hooked it back up. Could the doorswitch itself be an issue? I guess possibly not recognizing that I am the one who didn't lock the doors thus causing it to go into antitheft mode??

 

Air compressor is a NO NO. You may have blown the lines off of the sunroof pan and or the fittings throughout the drain system.
Plenty of great youtube vids to check out on properly cleaning the drain tubes and modifying them for the future.

Passlock issues are mostly solved by replacing the ignition switch

 

I also have a recurring H3 staring issue. At random times the H3 won't start. It could be at home or when parked somewhere else. After exactly 10 minutes of waiting, the car starts like nothing is wrong. Seems like a built in security issue but I'm in a catch 22. I have had the H3 checked out but nothing was found, I can't bring it in when it doesn't start. Has anyone else encountered this. I do have remote start installed on the truck.

 

do you get a steady padlock on the dash? it usually takes about 10 minutes for a relearn which coincides with your wait time.

 

I just found out about this on this thread. Last time it happened I did not notice in the heat of the moment trying to get the car going. Next time it happens I will be sure to check for it. Thanks for the info.