Patrick 1990

I bought this Jeep for $400. It needed a water pump, which I've already replaced. My question is, being this is my first Jeep, is there anything I should be on the look out for. Im pretty mechanically inclined so I know the basics, but anything specific to Jeeps? It's a '94 cherokee sport 4.0 4x4

salad

Congratulations and welcome to the site! You made the right choice

Not much for 1994 I think. Under body/uniframe rust and engine maintenance neglect are the biggest ones. A lot of these things are running around out there with oiling and cooling issues. If you had to do the water pump the rest may well be shot. Fan clutch I bet is gone. Also you probably got it with sludge and a FRAM/STP/Jiffy Lube filter. These guys don't care much about a specific oil but are sensitive to filters due to how it's mounted.

I believe 1994 is the last year before Chrysler settled the mismatched piston/cylinder bore thing (error with a machine) so don't be surprised if you get some piston slap.

Exhaust manifold commonly cracks at the collector.

cruiser54

Welcome.

As salad already said, rust is the enemy. Keep poking around here in OEM Tech and you'll likely pick up on some stuff. Any questions, post them up.

salad

Oh yes, just seeing you post here reminds me:

A a lot of problems can be solved by checking wiring. Cruiser54 has a fantastic thread "Mostly Renix Tips" that goes over refreshing various connectors and grounding points. '94 is different (Renix was used 1987-1990) but with a little of that brain stuff us humans are so famous for you can apply it to your XJ as well.

cruiser54

For the 94, you could apply:

Post #1 for teh dipstick and firewall grounds.

Post #3.

Post #10 if it's an auto trans.

And 11, 15, 19, and 20.

Patrick 1990

I appreciate all the replies. I start my ASE cert. classes in January. Im thinking of doing a rebuild on the motor. I think there is a problem with the transfer case. 4wheel doesn't engage.

salad

Common that the shifter linkage binds or is just out of adjustment. If you search around here you'll find directions to adjusting the linkage. (assuming that's the problem)

Oh and a tip - don't bother with the search function on this site. It's less than useless. Use Google and just add "site:cherokeeforum.com"

Patrick 1990

Ok. I think it might be the linkage because it feels like it starts to engage,but not all the way

cruiser54

Which transfer case? NP231 or NP242?

Here's the proper way to shift them in case you didn't know, followed by the method to adjust the linkage if needed.


Here's how the factory suggests you shift the transfer case and I've been doing this since these things were new and I worked at the dealership. Quoted from the owner's manual.

"To engage, shift the transfer case lever from 2H to 4H while the vehicle is moving at any legal speed". I let off the gas, throw the lever, and then tap the gas and let off.

4L position: " To engage, slow the vehicle to 2-3 MPH , shift the transmission to Neutral, then shift the transfer lever to the right and pull firmly rearward to 4L".
Transfer Case Linkage Adjustment
Straight from the FSM:

SHIFT LINKAGE ADJUSTMENT
(1) Shift transfer case into 4L position. (make sure your shifter is fully in the 4L position)
(2) Raise vehicle.
(3) Loosen lock bolt on adjusting trunnion (Fig.
87).
(4) Be sure linkage rod slides freely in trunnion.
Clean rod and apply spray lube if necessary.
(5) Verify that transfer case range lever is fully
engaged in 4L position. (you can do this under the vehicle at the transfer case)
(6) Tighten adjusting trunnion lock bolt.
(7) Lower vehicle

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