mikesplumbing

FYI: Just wanted to let everybody know about a problem I had with the installation of my new CPS today.

Because my wifes XJ died (in the driveway...that's awesome by the way) did some troubleshooting and thanks to the forum here I came up with the conclusion it was the CPS.

Anyhow, I ended up buying my first CPS at CarQuest auto. As it turns out the wire harness on CPS unit was 3" shorter than the factory original and by the time I plugged it in it had way too much tension on it so I took my time and removed it from the bellhousing again. Yes, it's been a long day!!!

I went back to CarQuest and they brought out a different one and it was the same short length so I assume they are all that way. Long story short...they gave me a refund and I ended up going to AutoZone. The length was the same as the factory original so I re-installed it and it runs great.

I did some thinking and decided for the benefit of the forum to visit every parts store in town and measure all the lengths. Here are my findings.

1. CarQuest: 3" shorter than original and I would not advise to use it.
2. AutoZone: Perfect length and this is the one I bought...worked great.
3. Advanced Auto: 1/2 shorter than factory original but it would work fine (at least in my Cherokee it would)
4. Bumper to Bumper: 3/4 shorter than factory original
5. Napa: Same length as factory original

My conclusion of this whole event is the harness on my Cherokee doesn't have much room to play with so length was critical. The CarQuest was the only one that was questionable....It was stretched like a tightrope after install and I wouldn't buy this one if you had an option of another parts store in town. It might be just my harness and how it was assembled but the CarQuest part was a true 3" shorter.

My Jeep Cherokee is a 1998 Sport 4x4 with the 4.0 engine

I hope this might help somebody someday....I can't imagine another person doing what I did today to find out the length is too tight.

Mike

syncview

Hats off to you sir, that is VERY VERY generous of you.

mike albo

good info to have,thanks

mikesplumbing

This forum is not only a great place for information but it also has a great group of people who participate in making it great....It's the least I could do to give back a little.

Now go and watch the fireworks on the roof of your Cherokee and have a beer! LOL

Mike

ColoradoXJ88

Awesome!! Hero of the week? yes.

BRANDONXJ

Great info!!!!

mopwrd340

the autozone cps arent that great bought one for my 2002 dodge van after it died one day . had it towed home showing no codes i replaced the cps still no start .i checked the fuel pres dist all good replaced the coil sent the engine comp out to be rebuilt came back fine . i got mad and pulledit up the street to a shop . 2hrs later called and said its fixed cps sensor was no good took back to autozoneand all they would give me is my money back for the sensor . iwill never buy a elec part from there again it cost me $500 dollars for the defective sensor lesson learned alwaws check part

ColoradoXJ88

Sounds like you just got a bad part. Not exactly uncommon, everyone gets em from time to time, factories can't pump out 100% perfect parts all the time. But hey, at least you got your money back. Like you said, it was a learning experience, and now you'll probably check to make sure whatever you replace next is a good, working part.

BillyBoy

Good info!

X 2 on the "hero of the week!"

bfisher42

thanks.

Fastwalker

Hey there,
I see you managed to get those nasty bolts out and remove the cps!!
How did you manage it... i just cant seen to get any tools in there it get to the bolts its so tight. i have a 99 jeep cherokee sport 4x4
Sorry to ask you to remember such a chore but my poor jeep needs a new cps.
I look forward to hearing from you
Kind Regards
Adam

t88itsagpthing

Fastwalker - Number one the bolt heads are 11mm at least mine are. I have a 4 x 4, so I removed the front end of the front axle to move it out of the way, then I used about 18 inches worth of extensions with a universal joint adapter. This allowed me to work with the ratchet from the rear side of the engine mount cross bar. One the bolt was loose I turned it out using a short extension with the universal adapter. My problem is that the upper bolt fell into the crank housing.

Chriso byrd

I have read on other site that non oem cps won't work any 1 have this problem on a 98 xj?

Turbo X_J

May not work, if your original lasted 18 years why not just go to the MOPAR dealer & buy a new one.
Then you won't have to fool with it for another 18 years...

robertj

For future readers of this thread, the OEM part number is Mopar 56027280. Available at this time on Amazon for around $85.