96 Cherokee keeps dying while driving help
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,170
Likes: 312
From: Australia
Year: 1997 (RHD)
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 ltr
I just did a quick search and returns a lot of threads on forums. Might be an idea to do a bit of reading on it.
You have a lot of codes and it comes to mind that all those sensors involved have the ECU involved in them...
You have a lot of codes and it comes to mind that all those sensors involved have the ECU involved in them...
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,170
Likes: 312
From: Australia
Year: 1997 (RHD)
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 ltr
There is so much info on these issues. The codes are just a guide, you will need to do some reading and checking.
Here, just as a start, found this for you: TPS in regards to high voltages
Its for 97+, so may not be the same, but it will give you and idea about testing things like this.. Scroll down to about post #3.
(From CCKen, I am under the impression he might not be here anymore).
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/tps...oltage-232459/
Here, just as a start, found this for you: TPS in regards to high voltages
Its for 97+, so may not be the same, but it will give you and idea about testing things like this.. Scroll down to about post #3.
(From CCKen, I am under the impression he might not be here anymore).
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/tps...oltage-232459/
Last edited by Roler; Feb 15, 2021 at 06:19 AM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
From: Idaho
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I thought about what Bruce said about diagnosing the problem instead of throwing parts at it I hooked a timing light up to a plug wire put the light in the Jeep and went for a drive I lost all spark a total of 5 times in 3 miles dash stays lit headlights dim but I think it's probably the coil
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,170
Likes: 312
From: Australia
Year: 1997 (RHD)
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 ltr
That maybe could explain a loss of spark, but not the dimming of the headlights...your headlights dimming would suggest a more "central" loss of power to them
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,170
Likes: 312
From: Australia
Year: 1997 (RHD)
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 ltr
I'd do a bit more diagnostics, but I am not you. You measured at the end on a spark plug and had loss of power; there is a lot of components involved before the current eventually arrives there.
You can also construct the test light (or meter) to connect more proximal , so investigate other components in between. Like for instance hook it up measuring the power TO the coil. That way you can literally see if the power TO the coil is the problem, or it is going to be more 'down stream'. If that makes sense. Saves you from throwing parts at it, hoping thats it.
Just my $0.02.
You can also construct the test light (or meter) to connect more proximal , so investigate other components in between. Like for instance hook it up measuring the power TO the coil. That way you can literally see if the power TO the coil is the problem, or it is going to be more 'down stream'. If that makes sense. Saves you from throwing parts at it, hoping thats it.
Just my $0.02.
CF Veteran




Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 364
From: Eustis, Florida
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I have the codes it's throwing
po420 catalytic converter
Po123 throttle position sensor A circuit high input
Po108 map sensor circuit high input
Po351 ignition coil A primary/secondary circuit
po300 random misfire
Po301 cyl 1 misfire
Po302 cyl 2 misfire
Po304 cyl 4 misfire
Po305 cyl 5 misfire
What would cause high input on the tps and map sensors?
po420 catalytic converter
Po123 throttle position sensor A circuit high input
Po108 map sensor circuit high input
Po351 ignition coil A primary/secondary circuit
po300 random misfire
Po301 cyl 1 misfire
Po302 cyl 2 misfire
Po304 cyl 4 misfire
Po305 cyl 5 misfire
What would cause high input on the tps and map sensors?
DISCONNECT THE BATTERY FIRST!!!.... .
I would suggest carefully (old connectors are fragile and brittle and tend to break with very little pressure) removing the 3 connectors to the PCM that is located on the inside of the front drivers side fender and getting some electrical connection cleaner and cleaning the connectors as well as where they connect to the ecm.
Hopefully it is just dirty connections...
if that doesn't work then you may need a new PCM or somebody smarter than me than can tell you have to verify if the PCM is good or bad....
Hope this helps
Last edited by BruceB; Feb 16, 2021 at 03:19 PM.
I thought about what Bruce said about diagnosing the problem instead of throwing parts at it I hooked a timing light up to a plug wire put the light in the Jeep and went for a drive I lost all spark a total of 5 times in 3 miles dash stays lit headlights dim but I think it's probably the coil
So far as I am aware, no "sensor" issue will cause major power loss to your headlights
my previous XJ had this intermittent issue, (until someone smashed into it)
I knew cause one day I was standing out of it at night, and noticed all exterior lights went out as the motor hesitated
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,170
Likes: 312
From: Australia
Year: 1997 (RHD)
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 ltr
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
From: Idaho
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
So I put a new coil in and found a burned wire in the harness near it after repairing the wire and installing the coil it ran great for a day then back to loss of spark took it to a shop in Nampa and their mechanic had it for 3 days he told me the pcm is bad and if I find one he has to flash it to my VIN so is that true I've never dealt with an issue like this before
CF Veteran




Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 364
From: Eustis, Florida
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
So I put a new coil in and found a burned wire in the harness near it after repairing the wire and installing the coil it ran great for a day then back to loss of spark took it to a shop in Nampa and their mechanic had it for 3 days he told me the pcm is bad and if I find one he has to flash it to my VIN so is that true I've never dealt with an issue like this before
I purchased my replacement ECM from Flagship One.. They flashed the vin and mileage and sent it ready for plug and play. They verified the replacement by VIN# and by part #. Paid $200 and it has a lifetime warranty.
Hope this helps...
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
From: Idaho
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Sorry it's been so long since I posted I got a vacation to the hospital with pneumonia so here goes the wife took it to a shop in Nampa while I was sick In an effort to get it going to surprise me they supposedly went through everything ordered a new pcm and had it programmed to our vin came out to over 500 dollars in labor and 250 for the pcm well it still dies and I got a video of what's happening now
A little late to this thread, but ya know nearly all the symptoms and odd reading could be as simple as a bad ground. If you lift the ground off a sensor like the TPS, you'll get a code for the sensor reading high.



