I have just joined Jeep Cherokee Forum and i need some advice on how to fix a problem, i hope someone can help me out. I have a 96 cherokee with a 4.0 automatic that will not go over 35mph and when it does, it dies. Any suggestions?

 

Does the engine die when you rev it in neutral?
Does it die suddenly as if a switch were turned off, or cough and sputter a bit before dying?
Do you really need to drive over 35? Where's the fire? (just kidding, lol)

 

Could be a clogged catalytic converter or low fuel pressure.

 

no it runs fine in nuetral and yes it dies as if you shut off a switch

 

how can i tell if its low fuel pressure?

 

The safest way is to get a fuel pressure gage. There is a test port on your fuel rail... (it will look similar to a valve stem. You screw the gage on...and turn the ignition to on but not start. Fuel pump should kick on and pressure up the system to 49 psi +\- 5psi. Anything less is an issue.

 

Can you re-start it immediately?

 

yes, it will restart immediately.

 

ok, thank you for responding and i will try that

 

The guy at the auto parts store told me to check the plugs and to check the vacume hoses the rental on the fuel pressure guage cost around $109.00 wich I really don't have at this time so i guess i got to wait a little longer. what do you think?, and iI also forgot to tell you thanks for responding to my call out for help.

 

I think Cruiser may have nailed this. You have a 96 and those are known for bad cats. They break into chunks internally. In fact there's a lifetime warranty on the OEM unit. If you still have the factory cat, call the dealer for a free replacement.

Very likely a chunk of catalyst broke off and is plugging the outlet.
Free test: kick the cat. Hear a rattle? If you do, it's bad. (It may still be bad even if you don't.)
Better test: Drop the exhaust and see if the problem resolves.

eta: Cat recall info here:
http://www.jeep.com/webselfservice/pdf/E22.pdf

 

Radi's test is on the money.
Had to test a vw by temporarily removing the exhaust to test what turned out to be a bad cat.

 

I would do that but there isn't one on there, got any other ideas?

 

Thank you for responding, but there isn't a cat on it. The person who had it before me must have taken it off . In the state of Illinois you really don't need one, from what i have been told any how.

 

Oh yeah, I went ahead and changed the plug and wires etc. one person did tell me that on his explorer it was doing the same thing so I went ahead and changed it them just to rule it out and it's a good thing that I did they were bad.