CPS replacement
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 75
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Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L 6 cyl.
I have a 1989 jeep Cherokee with the 4.0 6l engine and I need to replace my CPS, I have heard of many different ways to replace it but what is the easiest way to replace it?
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 957
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From: Russellville, Arkansas
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I-6
You need about two feet of extensios for your ratchet and a uni-socket (wobble socket). That will allow you to easily reach the two bolts that hold the CPS on. I read all the horror stories but the first time I did it, it took me less than 15 minutes and was actually pretty easy.
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,172
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From: Riviera, Texas
Year: 1998 Sport
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Climb under on the drivers side with a at least 2 feet of socket extensions and a swivel. I forgot what size of socket you need. Unbolt it from below. Just make sure not to drop the bolts in to the hole that the cps goes into or you will have to try to fish them out or drop the tranny to get them out. A lot of people say that it's a real hard job to to but it really isn't but it can be time consuming.
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 1
From: Bakersfield CA
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
If you feel you need more room you can also loose the tranny mount and lower the nose of the tranny to get a better view. You do not have to remove the bracket completely just loose it from the body.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,489
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From: Nor-Cal Coast
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
I found if you BACK the left front onto a ramp you won't have it in the way, where you need to lay. A stand under the left front frame would be in your way.
If CPS itself is putting out less than .35 Volts AC while it's cranking with a good battery, or the resistance is not 200 ohm's plus/minus 75, hot;
11mm socket > 3 inch extension > universal > long (18-24 inches of extension). Your feet are sticking out under the passenger side, you can reach up past the front drive-line with your left hand to hold the CPS, from the front. Your right hand is on the ratchet way back by the tranny cross member. If you tie a long string on the old, you can use it to haul up the new. Toss that piece of plastic if it's still there, and do not drop the bolts in there! Echlin # CSS980, (from Napa, for 87-90), should be fine, but some prefer to go to Jeep. I wouldn't bother with anything else for that.
If your left forearm is bigger than a quart Mason jar, you might conciser removing the front drive-line. Also You might cut your old CPS wires if they go through a deal on a bell housing bolt, then be sure your new are held somewhere safe.
The second one is REALLY easy!
If CPS itself is putting out less than .35 Volts AC while it's cranking with a good battery, or the resistance is not 200 ohm's plus/minus 75, hot;
11mm socket > 3 inch extension > universal > long (18-24 inches of extension). Your feet are sticking out under the passenger side, you can reach up past the front drive-line with your left hand to hold the CPS, from the front. Your right hand is on the ratchet way back by the tranny cross member. If you tie a long string on the old, you can use it to haul up the new. Toss that piece of plastic if it's still there, and do not drop the bolts in there! Echlin # CSS980, (from Napa, for 87-90), should be fine, but some prefer to go to Jeep. I wouldn't bother with anything else for that.
If your left forearm is bigger than a quart Mason jar, you might conciser removing the front drive-line. Also You might cut your old CPS wires if they go through a deal on a bell housing bolt, then be sure your new are held somewhere safe.
The second one is REALLY easy!
Last edited by DFlintstone; Jan 12, 2014 at 08:42 PM.
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From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
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::CF Moderator::
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From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
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From: Australia
Year: 1997 (RHD)
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 ltr
Unbolting doesn't seem an issue, you will reach it. It's getting the new one up in there I'd reckon might be a fiddle. Mine was replaced in a time that I wasn't doing those things myself yet, so have no experience with this replacement, but I always wondered how you get that CPS back in there, let alone adjust it (position-wise) if needed...
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
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From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Unbolting doesn't seem an issue, you will reach it. It's getting the new one up in there I'd reckon might be a fiddle. Mine was replaced in a time that I wasn't doing those things myself yet, so have no experience with this replacement, but I always wondered how you get that CPS back in there, let alone adjust it (position-wise) if needed...
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,577
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran
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From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors


