1990 jeep cherokee keeps dying
CF Veteran




Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,840
Likes: 117
From: In the middle of Minnesota!
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Don't get ahead of yourself. Check for spark. No spark? Crankshaft position sensor is absolutely your primary suspect.
Be sure vacuum line leading to the map sensor is good.
Then see where you are at.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 24
From: Nor-Cal Coast
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
Just make sure that map line is flawless. It goes to the rubber plug on the inside of the TB. You can hook it to manifold vacuum anywhere, but I kept mine as designed. If the brittle little tube breaks off in the plug, you might use a small screw or even an extractor if you happen to have one. Of course if you hook it up somewhere else, you need to make sure there is not a vacuum leak there at the rubber plug.
Supper crucial, that one. The map. "hogs out" the fuel mixture for the computer. The other sensors then try to improve on it from there.
It's 90 or earlier? check the cps. Only takes a couple of minutes with a $5 meter.
Supper crucial, that one. The map. "hogs out" the fuel mixture for the computer. The other sensors then try to improve on it from there.
It's 90 or earlier? check the cps. Only takes a couple of minutes with a $5 meter.
Last edited by DFlintstone; Nov 25, 2012 at 06:40 PM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 24
From: Nor-Cal Coast
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
Howdy Tom! Guess we doubled up there. Gonna use the last of the light to try to loose the squeak from my f-ng kregan belt. Twice didn't work, maybe the the third time....
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 24
From: Nor-Cal Coast
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
He he. I'm with you Rusty. (with exceptions) 02? I got that thing tight enough to fry every bearing. Idler, Alt, water pump bla bla. still chirps!
Clearly Kregan/ORielies, sells belts with a team of trained gerbils built in. Next week I will need an alternator, or a water pump.
I eddied/deleted a comment because the 2011 date threw me.
Clearly Kregan/ORielies, sells belts with a team of trained gerbils built in. Next week I will need an alternator, or a water pump.
I eddied/deleted a comment because the 2011 date threw me.
Last edited by DFlintstone; Nov 25, 2012 at 07:55 PM.
CF Veteran




Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,840
Likes: 117
From: In the middle of Minnesota!
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
moparpartsonline
factorymoparparts
tapco
Buy a MOPAR sensor unless you like doing things twice.
SEARCH this forum and the web; there are lots of threads on how to install the crank sensor. Here is one of them to get you started...
http://www.go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoCPSchange.htm
factorymoparparts
tapco
Buy a MOPAR sensor unless you like doing things twice.
SEARCH this forum and the web; there are lots of threads on how to install the crank sensor. Here is one of them to get you started...
http://www.go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoCPSchange.htm
Last edited by tjwalker; Dec 11, 2012 at 05:51 PM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 24
From: Nor-Cal Coast
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
You might want to first test yours before buying and installing a new one. A $5 DVM that measures AC volts from HF is suitable for that, and handy for other stuff. IN my sig there is a thing Cruiser did on that. Really the test only takes a minute, although, yea, CPS IS the most likely suspect.
thanks!
Can these jeeps be towed? I may just try to get it into town 10 miles away to have a local mechanic take a peek..wasnt sure if i needed a trailer or if a tow strap would work with 4x4...seems like when my grandpa had his motorhome he had to have the front axle of his jeep altered to tow?
Can these jeeps be towed? I may just try to get it into town 10 miles away to have a local mechanic take a peek..wasnt sure if i needed a trailer or if a tow strap would work with 4x4...seems like when my grandpa had his motorhome he had to have the front axle of his jeep altered to tow?
CF Veteran




Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,840
Likes: 117
From: In the middle of Minnesota!
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
You might want to first test yours before buying and installing a new one. A $5 DVM that measures AC volts from HF is suitable for that, and handy for other stuff. IN my sig there is a thing Cruiser did on that. Really the test only takes a minute, although, yea, CPS IS the most likely suspect.
It is easy to test the RENIX crank sensors; testing on the H.O can be inconclusive. Here's how to test your crank sensor.
--------------------------------------------------------
Renix (87-90) Crankshaft Position Sensor Testing and Adjusting
Renix CPSs have to put out a strong enough signal to the ECU so that it will provide spark.
Most tests for the CPS suggest checking it for an ohms value. This is unreliable and can cause some wasted time and aggravation in your diagnosis of a no-start issue as the CPS will test good when in fact it is bad. The problem with the ohms test is you can have the correct amount of resistance through the CPS but it isn’t generating enough voltage to trigger the ECU to provide spark.
Unplug the harness connector from the CPS. Using your voltmeter set on AC volts and probing both wires in the connector going to the CPS, crank the engine over. It won’t start with the CPS disconnected. You should get a reading of .5 AC volts.
If you are down in the .35 AC volts range or lower on your meter reading, you can have intermittent crank/no-start conditions from your Renix Jeep. Some NEW CPSs (from the big box parts stores) have registered only .2 AC volts while reading the proper resistance!! That’s a definite no-start condition. Best to buy your crank sensor directly from the Jeep dealer for best reliability and longevity.
Sometimes on a manual transmission equipped Renix Jeep there is an accumulation of debris on the tip of the CPS. It’s worn off clutch material and since the CPS is a magnet, the metal sticks to the tip of the CPS causing a reduced voltage signal. You MAY get by with cleaning the tip of the CPS off.
A little trick for increasing the output of your CPS is to drill out it’s mounting holes with the first drill bit that just won’t fit through the original holes. Then, when mounting it, hold the CPS down as close to the flywheel as you can while tightening the bolts.
CF Veteran




Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,840
Likes: 117
From: In the middle of Minnesota!
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Crankshaft-P...385#vi-content 36.50 sound about right for a mopar part?
But use the above TESTING procedure before ordering. Don't get ahead of yourself.
Ok will do. I need to pickup a voltmeter as I dont have one currently...looks like on ebay they are pretty cheap so assuming autozone would have one for 10 bucks or so. Thanks again everyone for the help
CF Veteran




Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,840
Likes: 117
From: In the middle of Minnesota!
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
A meter is required test equipment for ANYONE working on their XJ! It is very possibly the best money you will spend. I have too many of them to count!
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
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From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
thanks!
Can these jeeps be towed? I may just try to get it into town 10 miles away to have a local mechanic take a peek..wasnt sure if i needed a trailer or if a tow strap would work with 4x4...seems like when my grandpa had his motorhome he had to have the front axle of his jeep altered to tow?
Can these jeeps be towed? I may just try to get it into town 10 miles away to have a local mechanic take a peek..wasnt sure if i needed a trailer or if a tow strap would work with 4x4...seems like when my grandpa had his motorhome he had to have the front axle of his jeep altered to tow?


