Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

Code p0204, Replaced everything and still misfires, HELP!!!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 6, 2013 | 02:55 PM
  #1  
Laina2010's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default Code p0204, Replaced everything and still misfires, HELP!!!

Hello! I am posting here because I am at my wits end! I am a 24 year old college student. My 97 Jeep Cherokee Country started running rough a few days ago. I bought it a year ago and changed all the spark plugs. The code popping up continuously is P0204: Fuel injector circuit open cylinder 4. I have replaced:
-#4 spark plug
-#4 fuel injector
-#4 fuel injector connector (tested and is getting volts)
-all plug wires (firing order is correct)
-distributor cap (rotor arm cleaned)
-added Lucas fuel injector cleaner to gas

I just don't know where to look next! I can't afford a garage. I did all the above myself thanks to YouTube with $138. I have read the TPS sensor can trigger misfires...Anyone out there run across this and have any ideas as to why it is still misfiring?
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2013 | 03:23 PM
  #2  
belvedere's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,395
Likes: 1
From: SD
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by Laina2010
-#4 fuel injector connector (tested and is getting volts)
How did you test it? Noid light?
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2013 | 03:37 PM
  #3  
Laina2010's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

I went to O'Reilly auto parts and they scanned for codes and used a little plug to put into the connector. When the car was on it flashed.
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2013 | 03:41 PM
  #4  
belvedere's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,395
Likes: 1
From: SD
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by Laina2010
a little plug to put into the connector. When the car was on it flashed.
That's a noid light, and it should mean that all is well with the computer and wiring to the connector. Very strange. Was the replacement injector new or used?
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2013 | 03:49 PM
  #5  
Laina2010's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

I bought the injector brand new. While the car is running I can unplug and plug back in the #4 connector to the injector and no change happens to the idle. What else could cause this if the connector has power and the injector is new? I have tracked all the wiring and it seems to look fine and undamaged from what I can get access to...
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2013 | 03:50 PM
  #6  
belvedere's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,395
Likes: 1
From: SD
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

If you have access to an ohmmeter, I would measure the resistance across the injector. An alternative would be to swap the connectors between #3 and #4 injectors, and see if the problem stays with #4. If so, I would have to lean toward a computer problem.
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2013 | 03:52 PM
  #7  
belvedere's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,395
Likes: 1
From: SD
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

It is a strange problem, for sure. Maybe someone else has some more input.
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2013 | 06:12 PM
  #8  
tjwalker's Avatar
CF Veteran
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,841
Likes: 117
From: In the middle of Minnesota!
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

You certainly have addressed the usual suspects.

If you can unplug and plug the injector connector with no difference, you have an issue getting an injector signal to that injector. I'm confused as to why a noid light would show that the injector is firing; that is contrary to what you are seeing.

I am still leaning towards a wiring issue with that particular injector. If you completely eliminate wiring, it could be a computer issue, but that would be the last thing I would suspect for a single cylinder injector problem. If it comes down to it, get a salvage yard computer.
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2013 | 07:21 PM
  #9  
kansas-klx's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 51
Likes: 1
From: SW of Wichita
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default Injector System Schematic

The following is from a '97 FSM. I used the figures with the splices since the connectors should be evident if you can locate the splices. Hope it helps out. If I copied in anything wrong I'm sure it'll get noticed pretty quick...

Code p0204, Replaced everything and still misfires, HELP!!!-97xj-injector-wiring-8w-30-6.jpg
__________________________________________________ __________
Code p0204, Replaced everything and still misfires, HELP!!!-97xj-splice-locations-8w-95.jpg
__________________________________________________ __________
Name:  97XJ Fig 1 8W-95.jpg
Views: 8433
Size:  47.8 KB
__________________________________________________ __________
Name:  97XJ Fig 10 8W-95-12.jpg
Views: 9655
Size:  53.2 KB
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2013 | 11:25 PM
  #10  
Laina2010's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Thank you all so much for your help! I was confused when the noid light worked too, I was for sure the connection wiring must be bad.
Reply
Old Jan 7, 2013 | 08:45 AM
  #11  
Laina2010's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

The misfire happened when I was driving up a hill. It started to bog down and started misfiring ever since. It has been 4 days since it happened...
Reply
Old Jan 7, 2013 | 09:20 AM
  #12  
CCKen's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,357
Likes: 103
From: Canton, MI
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Visually inspect the related wiring harness, look for any chafed, pierced, pinched, or partially broken wires. There have been reports of wire chafing in the harness as it exits the harness manifold (left side of vave cover).

Visually inspect the related wiring harness connector. Look for broken, bent, pushed out, or corroded terminals.

Perform a wiggle test of the wiring harness and connectors while the engine is running. Listen for the engine to miss or stall
Reply
Old Jan 7, 2013 | 11:29 AM
  #13  
Laina2010's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Any chance it could be bad gas? I filled my tank full RIGHT BEFORE it started to misfire...one of my friends said they got a bad batch of gas which caused their truck to run crappy for a few days until they got fresh gas...
Reply
Old Jan 7, 2013 | 05:10 PM
  #14  
belvedere's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,395
Likes: 1
From: SD
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by Laina2010
Any chance it could be bad gas?
I don't think so. That would be more likely to cause things like multiple-cylinder misfires, etc., rather than an indicated electrical problem with one specific injector circuit.
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2013 | 08:41 PM
  #15  
Hammphoto's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: VA
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l I6
Default Solution?

Y'all find a solution to this one? Got the same problem on mine replaced tps replaced injector and traced wiring looking for bad spots...no luck yet
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:15 AM.