Heater problems
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 72
Likes: 1
From: Cross Lanes, WV
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l
LOL I bought the thing used, from a mechanic. He says his wife nailed a deer with it and he'd "rebuilt" the front end. I have long suspected I have a FrankenJeep. LOL
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,357
Likes: 103
From: Canton, MI
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
The 10th digit (reading left to right) of the VIN is the model year.
V = 1997
W = 1998
X = 1999
Y = 2000
Z = 2001
See what you have.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,357
Likes: 103
From: Canton, MI
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 72
Likes: 1
From: Cross Lanes, WV
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l
Now don't get confusicated, I'm not the OP. LOL I'll put some pics up later. Almost quittin' time here. My HVAC control panel has three dials. Left is fan control, middle is "Which vent do I want", right is temp control.
Engine is a 4.0 inline 6.
Engine is a 4.0 inline 6.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,170
Likes: 312
From: Australia
Year: 1997 (RHD)
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 ltr
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 72
Likes: 1
From: Cross Lanes, WV
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l
Is that a turkey drumstick??? 
Here are the pics I just took. Again, sorry for the cell image.

Now here is why I think I have a FrankenJeep. I'm assuming this is a VIN number? That "W" is from '98, correct? LOL

Here are the pics I just took. Again, sorry for the cell image.

Now here is why I think I have a FrankenJeep. I'm assuming this is a VIN number? That "W" is from '98, correct? LOL
Last edited by AllenTC2; Jan 29, 2014 at 02:44 PM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,357
Likes: 103
From: Canton, MI
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I was wondering if the engine was from a '98. Can't tell what your ignition system looks like in that pic. Do you have a distributor system or a coil rail system?
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 72
Likes: 1
From: Cross Lanes, WV
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l
I am not exactly mechanically inclined. LOL A distributor would be characterized by a round cap with 6 wires coming into it, correct? From/to the spark plugs? If so, yes, it's a distributor system.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,170
Likes: 312
From: Australia
Year: 1997 (RHD)
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 ltr

So, your VIN states a "W" (1998) and you have the distributor : I think you officially no longer own a 2000, but a 1998!
Last edited by Roler; Jan 30, 2014 at 04:18 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 72
Likes: 1
From: Cross Lanes, WV
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l
Ahhhh....the VIN on the dashboard says "Y"...the VIN stamped on the quarter panel (that is what is in the second pic, right?) says "W". Which is correct? Could the guy have replaced front end parts (to include the heater door control??) with '98 parts??


