My 1989 XJ Laredo 4.0 I6 has a weird starting/stalling issue that no one can seem to figure out. 90+% of the time it runs fine but every once in awhile it will stall out at low speeds, say at a light or slowly cruising around a parking lot. And sometimes, say once every three weeks or so, it wont start. You turn the key and you hear the starter engage and the pistons pump but it won't turn over.

It's been in the shop several times and so far the alternator and throttle air intake has been replaced. Also a vacuum leak was fixed. The fuel pressure has been checked and it was fine. Not sure what to do next.

A guy at work said the same thing happened to his Jeep and that it was occurred far more often in the summer than the winter so he thinks whatever it is is effected by ambient temps. He could never figure it out and eventually junked his Jeep.


Any thoughts/input would be greatly appreciated.

 

Clean all ground connection by oil dip stick mount bolt yet ? Id try bypassing fuel pump resistor . Then drive see if it continues. Drivers side fender well white ceramic pc.

 

know of any good online guides to do that?

 

Yes-Search this forum. There is plenty of information just a search away. Take the time to educate yourself a little on the various topics. You have an '89 RENIX era Cherokee so search out Cruiser's Renix tips. Don't post until you've run down all those common issues. If you want to take the advice of bypassing the fuel pump ballast resistor, there's probably 50 posts on that issue alone. Take your time, be systematic. You'll need a voltmeter to work on a Renix plus some patience. If you're mechanically inclined, it's pretty straightforward. If you don't know where the fuel pump is or the distributor, it's going to be really hard.

 

Thanks!

Edited to add:

I think we have found the culprit. Just went and looked and sure enough one of the prongs coming out of the ballast was bent and the wire was half hanging off it. Also the insulation on the wire is cracked.