2000 Cherokee, 4.0 L, 181K.
long story, please help!
Last week I had an oil change, plugs checked and IAC replaced. The engine would stall out when idling; vacuum lines were checked (no leaks) and I was having a problem where the battery cables were loose (also fixed that), so ultimate solution was the IAC. Completely unrelated I also had bearing and hub assembly replaced. After all that, I had to drive 550 miles home from school.
The first 475 miles of my trip were straight highway, and I noticed that something wasn't right but not to the point where I pulled over. The remainder of the trip was back roads going 35-55, and this was the first time I had a serious problem. I was at a stop sign on a hill and when I went to pull into the intersection the engine started skipping, cel flashing, but as soon as I got to the top of the hill it stopped flashing and seemed fine (but the light stayed on). I drove the rest of the way home, light didn't flash anymore, but I couldn't accelerate quickly.
Yesterday morning I pulled the battery cables off to get the rest of the corrosion off and tighten the cables down, and that reset the cel. Now when at highway speed if I have to go up a hill it feels like the engine is skipping. It also does it if I have to slow down on the highway and then speed back up (slowed down for construction zone, and then tried to get back up to 65). I don't seem to have a definite problem at lower speeds, it just sounds different to me. I have had a lot of problems in the past with my first plug going bad, so i know what the skipping feels like, but the cel has always come back on.
I have had other people drive it to see if they know whats going on, and until it skips on the highway they tell me it is fine. I have driven this jeep for 5 years, it is not fine. To me it sounds awful, and every once in a while I can feel it skip when idling. Maybe its just because its my baby, and I know something is not right that I am extra sensitive to its odd noises, but it sounds louder than normal to me, almost like a growl, and the idle is not normal. It also seems like I have to give it more gas then normal to get it moving from a stop. Help!!!
long story, please help!
Last week I had an oil change, plugs checked and IAC replaced. The engine would stall out when idling; vacuum lines were checked (no leaks) and I was having a problem where the battery cables were loose (also fixed that), so ultimate solution was the IAC. Completely unrelated I also had bearing and hub assembly replaced. After all that, I had to drive 550 miles home from school.
The first 475 miles of my trip were straight highway, and I noticed that something wasn't right but not to the point where I pulled over. The remainder of the trip was back roads going 35-55, and this was the first time I had a serious problem. I was at a stop sign on a hill and when I went to pull into the intersection the engine started skipping, cel flashing, but as soon as I got to the top of the hill it stopped flashing and seemed fine (but the light stayed on). I drove the rest of the way home, light didn't flash anymore, but I couldn't accelerate quickly.
Yesterday morning I pulled the battery cables off to get the rest of the corrosion off and tighten the cables down, and that reset the cel. Now when at highway speed if I have to go up a hill it feels like the engine is skipping. It also does it if I have to slow down on the highway and then speed back up (slowed down for construction zone, and then tried to get back up to 65). I don't seem to have a definite problem at lower speeds, it just sounds different to me. I have had a lot of problems in the past with my first plug going bad, so i know what the skipping feels like, but the cel has always come back on.
I have had other people drive it to see if they know whats going on, and until it skips on the highway they tell me it is fine. I have driven this jeep for 5 years, it is not fine. To me it sounds awful, and every once in a while I can feel it skip when idling. Maybe its just because its my baby, and I know something is not right that I am extra sensitive to its odd noises, but it sounds louder than normal to me, almost like a growl, and the idle is not normal. It also seems like I have to give it more gas then normal to get it moving from a stop. Help!!!
Former Sponsor
A Code Reader would help a lot and can give you an idea. A local AutoZone or Advance Auto Parts Store will check the OBII for free.
CF Veteran
For sure hook up a code reader and see what's going on. That's the best place to start.
I know you said the spark plugs checked out. What exactly did you do to check them? And about your first plug going bad... What kind of plugs are you using? Are you making sure they are gapped correctly? Are you pulling the rest of them to make sure they aren't also going bad?
I know you said the spark plugs checked out. What exactly did you do to check them? And about your first plug going bad... What kind of plugs are you using? Are you making sure they are gapped correctly? Are you pulling the rest of them to make sure they aren't also going bad?
Junior Member
I had the same symptoms but two different problems 1. Engine would skip and lose power cel flash. That was caused by a dead injector one easy way to test that is to run the engine and unplug the connector to each injector and listen for a change in sound the injector that doesn't change the engine idle is dead or on its way out.
2. The TPS sensor went bad causing the jeep to shift fast into every gear and then lock itself in OD till it came to a stop. Also CEL flashed and caused it to stall out at idle
I would start with reading the codes and see what that tells you.
2. The TPS sensor went bad causing the jeep to shift fast into every gear and then lock itself in OD till it came to a stop. Also CEL flashed and caused it to stall out at idle
I would start with reading the codes and see what that tells you.
Senior Member
You talk about growling noise, rough idle, engine skipping, needing more gas to move, etc, etc,. These all may or may not be related. Like every one said, first get the exact code and post it here. Then check your maintenance record and see how new are the tune up parts...
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