Hello, let me begin by saying I am a complete beginner at working on cars and this is my first post here! But, as intended, I have learned a lot in the last year of owning this thing.


I have a consistent issue with my '91 xj that is experiencing stalling / the engine dying when at red lights and idling. While driving it seems like the airflow + cooling system can keep up with with the engine, but it will die on me when the temperature gauge hits the middle, in Canada thats 100 degrees C on the gauge(212f), which I understand to be the typical operating temperature. It has a new radiator and hoses, I don't believe this to be an overheating issue as it happens at , I think?, normal temps. But when it gets to operating temp at a light, it eventually starts running very rough and will die. Really bad when you're in a busy left hand turning lane


I have been going against the advice of the forum and I've been attempting to fix this by throwing parts at it. But I am well out of my depth with this at the moment. Parts I have replaces are, The Crankshaft position sensor, the idle air control valve, ignition coil, and finally the coolant temperature sensor.


Previously, I was having starting issues and my mechanic has replaced the, distributor cap, distributor rotor, spark plugs & wires, pickup coil, and fuel and air filter.


I have been combing this forum but with no luck yet, I would greatly appreciate any advice on this issue. I dont think I was experiencing this issue prior to my mechanic working on, it after it wouldn't start. So I dont want to rule out what they did, but also dont want to be redoing their work for no reason.


Thank you in advance for your help!

Cole

 

Does it start right up and idle well after it stalls, or does it crank for a while and idle rough?

 

Hey, it does start well, even when hot after just dying. But it will quickly stall again, is my experience. I was having problems with it starting, where it would take a few tries sometimes. Replacing the ignition coil helped, but didn't fully solve the issue.

The last few long red lights ive been stuck at, I turned it off while waiting, because it started feeling like it would die on me. (sputtering) But I have been able to start it and drive away when the light turns green.

 

I'd recommend checking your fuel pressure with a mechanical gauge. Rent one from your local auto parts store, and hook it up to the fuel rail.

 

Thanks! I will give this a try. It does seem like good advice, as my next suspect was something in the fuel/ injection system. I wouldnt have known to use a gauge to check, seems pretty easy to do!

 

Have your battery load tested. Most auto parts stores that sell batteries will test for free.