88xj UN DRIVEABLE.. Horrible idle. FIRE!!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
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From: memphis
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Then mine is the renix. Guess ill do a compression test.
On another note. When the motor was running and I was spraying tb cleaner into the tb. The idle got better and I could rev motor by hand some. Without spraying idle got worse and no throttle. Just pops and completely falls on its face.
On another note. When the motor was running and I was spraying tb cleaner into the tb. The idle got better and I could rev motor by hand some. Without spraying idle got worse and no throttle. Just pops and completely falls on its face.
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Joined: Aug 2011
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From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I wonder if you knocked th econnections loose on your fuel pump ballast resistor. The symptoms you describe are consistent with low fuel pressure.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2013
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From: memphis
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Fuel pressure was reading 40 psi at the rail.
I tried bypassing the resistor, also cleaned it up. How hot is that supposed to get? After about 10 minutes of idling i noticed the resistor smoking, seemed like it was burning oil or grease off of it. It was warm, almost hot too touch.
The way i bypassed it was connected the two orange wires using a paper clip.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 43
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From: memphis
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
It was a bigger paper clip, can it be bypassed completely? Cut the two wires and splice them together?
Having 40 psi at the rail, wouldn't that eliminate the question about the resistor being bad?
Having 40 psi at the rail, wouldn't that eliminate the question about the resistor being bad?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 43
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From: memphis
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
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From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Isn't the resistor getting hot to the touch? Are you into skipping possible solutions?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
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From: memphis
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
power steering fluid sprayed out of the cap all over the place.. Another story lol
What are you thinking? Another problem before the resistor in the circuit? Any suggestions help. It is Bypassed now, still acting up.. I figured that it being made or ceramic ment it got hot.
I just bypassed it for a second too see if it fixed anything, maybe 60 seconds. If bypassing is ok, i wont worry about replacing it. I dont know what other possible solutions there are, kinda why im here, any help is appreciated. Not the best with diagnosing electrical and vacuum stuff.
Last edited by Dennis88; Apr 2, 2013 at 03:58 PM.
Did you check the pressure with the regulator vacuum line on or off? Pressure should jump up about 8-10# when you remove the vacuum line.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
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From: memphis
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Im positive that my wires are correct.
Im not too sure how i measured the fuel psi, I forget. Ill recheck today and also ill check some wiring before the resistor. Any more suggestions are appreciated.
Im not too sure how i measured the fuel psi, I forget. Ill recheck today and also ill check some wiring before the resistor. Any more suggestions are appreciated.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 43
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From: memphis
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Yes. Mine didnt have a stud. Just a bolt that held the dip stick. My old motor had the stud closer to tranny and the dipstick bolt.
I have the 2 or 3 wires and the negative battery cable all going to the dip stick bolt. I added a 4 gauge wire from fuel rail bolt to fire wall replacing the braided wire.
I have the 2 or 3 wires and the negative battery cable all going to the dip stick bolt. I added a 4 gauge wire from fuel rail bolt to fire wall replacing the braided wire.
Last edited by Dennis88; Apr 3, 2013 at 04:30 PM.


