First: I did search around, thought i found my answer, no dice. So here I am asking for help.

1998
4.0l
Jeep Cherokee
Automatic

A month ago my Jeep dies going down the road, engine light pops comes on and it seems as though I just turned the key off. Wait a bit it starts up and runs fine for the rest of the month, engine light went off the next day even.
Few days ago, I am sitting in the Taco Bell drive thru, it dies again. I wait 24 hours and it starts up and drives home fine. Search the internet:
Sounds like Crankshaft Position Sensor, because these supposedly can slowly die out, also happens when vehicle gets hot. This all made sense, I buy a new CPS, installed, still no start. Now this is what happens when I try to start. I get in the Jeep, insert the key, lights, radio, etc all are strong and working fine. When I turn the key it gives one simple "click" and that is it, then everything inside also shuts off, it acts as if I disconnected the battery when I go to start it. I wait a few minutes, the lights and everything work again, as if the battery has been plugged back in. I repeat and still get the "click". Now..the un-install of the CPS was a pain but it was pretty straight forward, remove two bolts, unplug. So I figure the re-install is insert two bolts, re-plug in. So could it still be the CPS and there is more to the install than that? Also, starter and tune-up were done a month ago. Also remember that when the Jeep does start, it runs fine for awhile until it gets warmer it seems.

Thanks,
Bo

 

I have had this same thing happen on a number of vehicles. Check your battery connections. If they are good, then replace the battery. I had an Escort that would just die like that. I'd get out smack the hood and everything started back up. Wierdest thing. Anyway, replaced the battery and never did it again.

 

98s have a camshaft postion sensor also in the distributor,that you should check,coil,fuel pressure,I would advise getting a manual and testing the camshaft positoner,the process is a bit long to put here. It would be nice to know what you have when it dies,or when it will not start like,do you have spark,fuel pressure? we just need to eliminate the things that is not causing the problem.

 

I had some what of same problem, My problem was that my battery was to big or tall positive was rubbing my hood and it would kill engine it would turn check in engine light on. so i got the riht size battery and it stop.

96 CHEROKEE

 

My 91 has recently started shutting off for no apparent reason. I can turn the key and get one click then nothing, get out and smack the negative battery terminal then all is fine for a while. The terminal nut is as tight as it will get and it will still move just enough to lose connection.

 

In addition to what 4.3l xj said, check engine ground cable and starter cables since u had it done a month ago could be bad handwork.

 

Well my wife came home so I had her start the Jeep while I stuck my head in the engine bay trying to hear for the click, etc. Well the damn thing started up just fine for her. So I had her kill/start a few more times and fired up every time. I have started/killed it for the last hour and it has done fine. Haven't got to go drive it around and what not yet, so maybe it is fixed, maybe it isn't if it happens again, I will update. I am thinking if it does happen again, it is def. a wire. A buddy had a bad ground a few months ago, so these problems mimic his it seems. Thanks for all the input so far, hopefully anyone else having this problem can look here and get some pointers.

Thanks,
Bo

 

sounds like maybe your wife has the magic touch

 

I know right. I told her we can trade vehicles for a little bit or something.

 

Get ready for a phone call when it quits on her.

And maybe some other consequences.

 

I am not too sure if this applies in this case...I had a 90 F 150 at one time and I parked it at my apt...went out a little later...wouldn't start...jumped battery and it did fine...come to find out it was never my battery...it was my alternator...but my battery would power the whole vehicle until I shut it down...I am probably wrong but just for ****s and giggles why don't you place a pocket knife against your alternators coil and see if it is magnetized....if so...ur in the clear...if not then you may needa replace.

 

This just happened. Jeep has been running great since Friday, no problems. She drove it to work today so the body shop could finish up some paint work on her Camry. She just went out for lunch and it isn't doing anything she said. Not even clicking like before. So might be a battery or alternator? Geez this sucks!

 

I found the issue with my 91 over the weekend. The negative battery terminal and cable are the factory piece and the ground wire running from the terminal to the fender as come loose from inside the terminal. The slightest movement would break ground and shut the Jeep off. I took a socket larger than the battery post and drove the terminal down tighter on the post, then used a small center punch to "crimp" the hole for the ground wire. It is a temporary fix until I replace the battery terminal but it may be something for you to check as well.

 

Try one of these they can short out and cause intermittent starting issues.

Ignition Switch

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/cat...gnition+switch


When I first bought my Jeep i inspected this one and it looked like it was put in a Microwave. I was surprised my Jeep still started.

 

The thing that leads me away from it being this is that it has died on me while idling before.
I had advance test the battery and alternator so all that is gravy. My wires all seem to be plugged up and in decent enough condition. Bah why can't things just work!