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Jeep Cherokee Start Stall Idle Problems

275 messages,  Last post on May 11, 2013 at 8:28 AM

You are in the Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee Forum.

What is this discussion about? Jeep Cherokee, Transmission, SUV

Messages Page 20 of 29

#183 of 275 Re: 1996 jeep cherokee sport 4.0 [hatingthisjeep] by timdooling

Dec 04, 2009 (4:19 pm)

Replying to: hatingthisjeep (Aug 10, 2009 1:20 pm)
I had the following symptoms:
 
1. Vehicle would idle and run fine, but then the ignition would simply disconnect and the engine would die. No sputtering, just an ignition cutoff.
 
2. Vehicle then wouldn't restart for hours, but would eventually.
 
3. I found I could ground the engine block and get it to start.
 
4. There was no "check engine" light.
 
I took it to the local Jeep dealer and had a diagnostic run. They checked the crankcase sensor (the one that tells the engine when piston 1 should be firing), and it was bad. Replaced that for $300. Runs fine now, no stalls at all. Purrs like a mountain lion looking at a sheep.
 
Don't mess with it.
 
Take it to the Jeep dealer for a diagnostic.
 
In the meantime, try grounding the engine block to the negative terminal of the battery and then to the side of the vehicle. This might get you going for a short time.
 
Hope this helps.

#184 of 275 Starter fuse blows by nj673

Dec 07, 2009 (1:54 pm)

Cherokee 1997 2.5 diesel limited 150k. Occasionaly blows the 30A fuse under the hood, any common electrical problems I should be looking for??

#185 of 275 1990 Jeep cherokee stalling problem!! by loosescrew

Jan 03, 2010 (11:49 am)

Need help real fast, I changed the serpentine belt because the old one came off. It didn't break and just came off! After changing it now the stupid jeep starts up but after 5 minutes it stalls and is hard to keep running! I read that it may be the crank sensor and that was located on the top of the bell housing " Duh" how am i supposed to change something i can't get to? I put it up on ramps located the wire on top of housing but cannot get my arm up to the wire and i certainly can't see how to get any kind of a wrench in there to change it lol. Please help me with any : answers? Also why did the belt come off in the first place? nothing was loosened when i checked! I did notice that the bottom crank pully looked like it had some gasket coming off it??????

#186 of 275 Re: 1990 Jeep cherokee stalling problem!! [loosescrew] by timdooling

Jan 03, 2010 (4:31 pm)

Replying to: loosescrew (Jan 03, 2010 11:49 am)
I had a similar stalling problem with my Jeep. It did turn out to be the sensor.
 
The symptoms of the problem were pretty clear:
 
1. The Jeep would run for 5 minutes and just STOP DEAD (no sputtering, just an ignition cutoff);
 
2. The Jeep would not turn over for several hours, but eventually did.
 
Assuming that the problem was related to a charge buildup on the engine block (which appears to affect the time it both runs and the length of time it takes to restart it after a stall), I grounded the engine to the negative terminal of the battery and then to the side of the vehicle.
 
The Jeep started and I was able to drive it for 20 minutes to get it fixed.
 
The sensor cost $300, but I haven't had any problems with stalling or slow starting since, so it was well worth the price.
 
Before, I couldn't drive the Jeep more than about 1/2 mile before it stalled.
 
Try grounding the engine block, and at least you may be able to get it started. You can also try placing a jumper from a solid metal part of the engine to the negative terminal.
 
Also, make sure the terminals on your battery are squeaky clean just for good measure.
 
Good luck!

#187 of 275 Re: 1990 Jeep cherokee stalling problem!! [loosescrew] by lunghd

Jan 03, 2010 (9:59 pm)

Replying to: loosescrew (Jan 03, 2010 11:49 am)
Check harmonic balancer if your belt flew off - they're notorious for flying off kilter when the rubber inner 'liner' rots away. After that - check the water pump shaft for wobble along with the other pulleys & idler (if present).
 
CKS (crankshaft position sensor) isn't too bad to change once you've done it... first one I did, I supported the tranny crossmember w/ a floor jack & lowered the transmission crossmember (2 bolts & 2 studs) a couple of inches which gave me more room to get to the sensor. Just be careful not to snap a stud or bolt. They're metric if you end up having to replace them.
 
If you don't want to do that, go to Harbor Freight - you can get a set of wobble extensions. Borrow a few more extensions if you need to - you can feed them up to the CKS and remove it without lowering the tranny.
 
NAPA carries the CKS:
 
Part Number MPE CSS980SB ECH CSS980
Price 34.49 40.62
 
Believe it or not, you can do it from up top but it's a royal pita to do.
 
A quick check for the CKS when you stall out is to unplug it and replug it back in. Often, it will then start up. Reason being is the sensor is weak and when you unplug/replug you clean off a bit of the oxidation on the sensor connector allowing a slightly stronger signal to reach the computer. The computer depends on this (and camshaft position sensor) to determine top dead center (TDC) and a weak, or non-existant signal means the computer doesn't know when to fire the ignition.
 
As mentioned in the above post - poor grounds can be a major cause of problems. On the RENIX based Cherokees (non-HO, 1990 & earlier) the connectors were quite frankly garbage and oxidized due to moisture infiltration over time. A ground jumper from the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) is a common fix for other issues. The ground strap from engine head to firewall (driver side) often breaks or is left off when an engine is serviced and results in all kinds of gremlins. I HIGHLY suggest you replace it with a generic battery eye-to-eye ground strap. I also added another ground strap and upgraded the battery charging cables (seriously undersized from the factory).
 
These engines are fairly bulletproof and will easily go 300k+ with decent maintenance.
 
I have a RENIX diagnostics page on my Jeep website: http://www.lunghd.com as well as contact info if you have further questions.

#188 of 275 98 Cherokee with Hot Start Problem by nickflynn

May 07, 2010 (9:38 am)

Hi ... I've inherited a 98 4.0 Cherokee from my father ... which when cold starts and runs like a dream ... but as soon as it gets hot, it will stall and refuses to start again until it cools down completely (about 90 minutes).
 
I've changes the plugs, checked the leads and coil, changes the battery ... but don't know what else to do.
 
I want to keep the car because it was my dads, but can't afford to spend much cash on it ... can anyone help.

#189 of 275 51 plate jeep grand cherokee problems cold/hot start cranks but wont fire ! by karmas22

May 21, 2010 (3:07 am)

Hi i have a 51 plate jeep grand cherokee V8 4.7 L petrol that has a few problems .
1. Car struggles to cold star it will turn over but just can't quite fire.After about 6 attempt the car will start
2. Once the car has started it runs rough and lumpy and will not rev .This rights itself and the car runs ok after about 30 seconds .
3. If i stop the car then try to re-start while it is hot the car will not start at all !!
  
We have tried new ECU etc coming to the end of our idears now please help !!

#191 of 275 96 cherokee country syalling by fan48

May 30, 2010 (7:19 am)

y 96 cherokee country has developed a intermittent stall issue. I have no idea what to do. It will do fine most of the time at hwy speeds, ocasionally will sputter a little,but when it is acting up the most I will be in stop and go traffic or idoling at a traffic light.The rpm's will jump high then drop almost to nothing and it will stall out and shut off. When this happens it will start back up and after I get moving has reved high and spitts and sputters but usally will clear up and go on, I just replaced the fuel pump and still have the same issue. Any ideas, I have been reading that it could be the crank sensor.

#192 of 275 Re: 1996 jeep cherokee sport 4.0 [alby3] by mycar99

Jun 04, 2010 (8:29 am)

Replying to: alby3 (Dec 04, 2009 10:43 am)
HI can you tell me where you ordered the rebuilt from please?
I need to do same for mine and I was about trying autocomputersystems.com until I read their review somewhere on the net. They were careful not to include it on their site. http://fortlauderdale.citysearch.com/profile/2448438/davie_fl/auto_computer_exch- ange_inc.html

Messages Page 20 of 29

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