CEL code P0300
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 770
Likes: 1
From: VA
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4L, 6 cylinder, 190 hp, 225 ft lp torque
A couple of weeks ago I was wheeling with a club and had two shutdowns on one trail. The first shutdown lasted about 15 minutes. It would turn over but not start. After 15 minutes it started and ran well, no check engine light (CEL). About 30 minutes later it shutdown again. After a 15 or 20 minute wait, which included a tow up the trail by another Cherokee
, it started,ran fine, but this time the CEL was on. The codes that popped up are P0301, P0302, P0306 and P0300. I have read what the codes point to, and read a few threads on similar problems. I didn't read anywhere about someones Cherokee restarting after a 15 or 20 minute (cool down period?) wait and it runs great. Could someone point me to the fault? I was thinking that a coil could possibly be breaking down with the heat. My Cherokee Sport is a 2000, 4.0 liter with electronic ignition, 5 speed manual, 2 door and green
. Thanks for any help offered.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 770
Likes: 1
From: VA
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4L, 6 cylinder, 190 hp, 225 ft lp torque
What is the relationship between the Crankshaft Position Sensor and a 15 to 20 minute down time before it would restart?
When the CPS gets hot or in your case possible dirt and water at the connection they start to shut down. When everything gets cool the CPS starts to work again. had the same problem 2 yrs back although I wasn't wheeling.
Changed the CPS with one from JEEP- OEM. Checked out the wires and coupling. When I took apart the electrical connection there was all sorts of ming in there--I've seen worse but I shot it out with contact cleaner and packed it electro grease and reconnected. No problems since on my 2000 with that particular issue.
Also I noticed when the CPS was in its "fail mode" I didn't hear the fuel pump energize when I turned the key and was like WTF. Soon as the new one went in I turned the key and the pump came right on so there is a connection from the CPS to cut off energy to the pump when its detected as not working.
Changed the CPS with one from JEEP- OEM. Checked out the wires and coupling. When I took apart the electrical connection there was all sorts of ming in there--I've seen worse but I shot it out with contact cleaner and packed it electro grease and reconnected. No problems since on my 2000 with that particular issue.
Also I noticed when the CPS was in its "fail mode" I didn't hear the fuel pump energize when I turned the key and was like WTF. Soon as the new one went in I turned the key and the pump came right on so there is a connection from the CPS to cut off energy to the pump when its detected as not working.
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 81
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From: Columbia SC
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
When the CPS gets hot or in your case possible dirt and water at the connection they start to shut down. When everything gets cool the CPS starts to work again. had the same problem 2 yrs back although I wasn't wheeling.
Changed the CPS with one from JEEP- OEM. Checked out the wires and coupling. When I took apart the electrical connection there was all sorts of ming in there--I've seen worse but I shot it out with contact cleaner and packed it electro grease and reconnected. No problems since on my 2000 with that particular issue.
Also I noticed when the CPS was in its "fail mode" I didn't hear the fuel pump energize when I turned the key and was like WTF. Soon as the new one went in I turned the key and the pump came right on so there is a connection from the CPS to cut off energy to the pump when its detected as not working.
Changed the CPS with one from JEEP- OEM. Checked out the wires and coupling. When I took apart the electrical connection there was all sorts of ming in there--I've seen worse but I shot it out with contact cleaner and packed it electro grease and reconnected. No problems since on my 2000 with that particular issue.
Also I noticed when the CPS was in its "fail mode" I didn't hear the fuel pump energize when I turned the key and was like WTF. Soon as the new one went in I turned the key and the pump came right on so there is a connection from the CPS to cut off energy to the pump when its detected as not working.
Another reason why the fuel pump won't work is that's a fail safe, so to speak. If the injectors were firing but there's no spark you'd have fuel washing down the cylinders, which would cause ring issues and oil contamination in the long-term.
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CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
When the CPS gets hot or in your case possible dirt and water at the connection they start to shut down. When everything gets cool the CPS starts to work again. had the same problem 2 yrs back although I wasn't wheeling.
Changed the CPS with one from JEEP- OEM. Checked out the wires and coupling. When I took apart the electrical connection there was all sorts of ming in there--I've seen worse but I shot it out with contact cleaner and packed it electro grease and reconnected. No problems since on my 2000 with that particular issue.
Also I noticed when the CPS was in its "fail mode" I didn't hear the fuel pump energize when I turned the key and was like WTF. Soon as the new one went in I turned the key and the pump came right on so there is a connection from the CPS to cut off energy to the pump when its detected as not working.
Changed the CPS with one from JEEP- OEM. Checked out the wires and coupling. When I took apart the electrical connection there was all sorts of ming in there--I've seen worse but I shot it out with contact cleaner and packed it electro grease and reconnected. No problems since on my 2000 with that particular issue.
Also I noticed when the CPS was in its "fail mode" I didn't hear the fuel pump energize when I turned the key and was like WTF. Soon as the new one went in I turned the key and the pump came right on so there is a connection from the CPS to cut off energy to the pump when its detected as not working.
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
p300 missfire infohttp://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/2...0-code-977750/
I had the p0300 along with some others --the thing that kept getting me is it basically stopped when hot and I didn't hear the fuel pump.
When the jeep finally got home I did some digging and after doing the full tune up except the CPS I still had the same problem. I bought the CPS from Jeep but think paid about $90.00 or so.
As soon as the new CPS went in the fuel pump energized and she started right up no misfires.
I don't agree at all with just throwing parts at something but if his is old enough it should be changed anywho just in case since its a fail part that causes big prblems. $ 200.00 sounds way out of line even for the dealer.
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
I had the p0300 along with some others --the thing that kept getting me is it basically stopped when hot and I didn't hear the fuel pump.
When the jeep finally got home I did some digging and after doing the full tune up except the CPS I still had the same problem. I bought the CPS from Jeep but think paid about $90.00 or so.
As soon as the new CPS went in the fuel pump energized and she started right up no misfires.
I don't agree at all with just throwing parts at something but if his is old enough it should be changed anywho just in case since its a fail part that causes big prblems. $ 200.00 sounds way out of line even for the dealer.
When the jeep finally got home I did some digging and after doing the full tune up except the CPS I still had the same problem. I bought the CPS from Jeep but think paid about $90.00 or so.
As soon as the new CPS went in the fuel pump energized and she started right up no misfires.
I don't agree at all with just throwing parts at something but if his is old enough it should be changed anywho just in case since its a fail part that causes big prblems. $ 200.00 sounds way out of line even for the dealer.
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
this is a little betterhttp://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...mString=searchbe better of at napa or bennet type parts store though
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 770
Likes: 1
From: VA
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4L, 6 cylinder, 190 hp, 225 ft lp torque
Great information. I forgot to check other forums. Thanks for all the input. I've decided to change the CPS (Delco from the local Autozone) because my Jeep runs great day in and day out. When I had the problem she was working very hard on a level 6 trail and hot (not over heating though). Lets hope this is the problem, I won't know though until I work her just as hard as before. Thanks again.


