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1990 XJ Starts and Dies

Old 02-11-2018, 04:02 PM
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Default 1990 XJ Starts and Dies

This started on Christmas for me, and it has gotten progressively worse. Sometimes when I start my jeep, the engine fires and dies. I've found giving a little throttle after the engine fires seems to keep it going. Other than that, the engine runs fine. The temperature hasn't been over 15F for a couple weeks now, and I plug in the block heater at night.
Old 02-12-2018, 06:25 AM
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When it's running, check the voltage at the front and rear connector of the fuel pump ballast resistor. I can't remember exactly, but I think you will see 11 on one end and about 8 on the other end. If you suspect that resistor, it's okay to bypass it.

How long since you cleaned your throttle body and IAC?
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Old 02-12-2018, 07:36 AM
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I try to clean the TB and IAC about once a year. I'm probably coming up on a year.

I'll check the ballast this afternoon when I'm done working. Thanks.
Old 02-13-2018, 01:18 PM
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My voltages were 13.8v and 10.8v while running. I haven't had any issues today, but it is finally warming up.
Old 02-13-2018, 08:34 PM
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Originally Posted by austinjoe13
My voltages were 13.8v and 10.8v while running. I haven't had any issues today, but it is finally warming up.
Voltages are good. Let's wait and see.
Old 04-12-2018, 09:19 AM
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This has happened to me a few more times since posting this, but this morning's was the worst. It's 28F out, and I had to try starting my jeep 10 or more times. Each time the tach would jump up to 1200rpm or so then fall back to 0. It only happens on colder days.
Old 04-12-2018, 10:57 PM
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Originally Posted by austinjoe13
This has happened to me a few more times since posting this, but this morning's was the worst. It's 28F out, and I had to try starting my jeep 10 or more times. Each time the tach would jump up to 1200rpm or so then fall back to 0. It only happens on colder days.
Ever pull your IAT and carefully clean it?
Old 04-13-2018, 08:18 AM
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Yes, I have. I'm thinking at this point I'm better off replacing it if it's bad. Is there a way to test them?

I thought I was going to be late to work yesterday afternoon because it wasn't starting. I bypassed the fuel pump ballast and then it fired right up. We'll see what happens this morning, I guess.
Old 04-13-2018, 08:39 AM
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Originally Posted by austinjoe13
Yes, I have. I'm thinking at this point I'm better off replacing it if it's bad. Is there a way to test them?

I thought I was going to be late to work yesterday afternoon because it wasn't starting. I bypassed the fuel pump ballast and then it fired right up. We'll see what happens this morning, I guess.
Just clean it. And yes, there is a way to test them.
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Old 04-13-2018, 05:33 PM
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I misread your previous post as IAC not IAT. I have not cleaned it, so I will try that tonight.
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