You're having the same stalling issue when hitting the horn? My money would be on a broken ground wire in the clockspring. Hitting the horn puts 12-volts on the ground wire, which backfeeds into other circuits.

 

Hi Lawsoncl. Um...What is the clock spring? Is that a nickname for something that the Jeep Shop Manual would call something else? Can you tell me where this clock spring is located?

Thank you,
Chris in South Florida

 

The clockspring is a spiral cable inside the steering column. It's a long spiral would cable that connects the steering wheel controls and airbag. It winds and unwinds like a clockspring as you spin the wheel.
https://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/...te-up-2032993/

I don't have a 1996 FSM, but the 1997 FSM shows it in section 8M.

Steering wheel needs to come off to get to it.

 

I am not 100% certain, but believe I have read that a failed clock spring will mean no horns, and no cruise control

If your cruise control is also inoperative that would definitely point to the clock spring

details in FSM

 

I pulled my clockspring this weekend and the part number is 56007522 for the model without cruise control. there are none of these anywhere, but there are some 56007621 clocksprings out there.

Does anyone know the interchangeability with these clocksprings? Do you have to have cruise control to use a clockspring with a cruise control breakout (wire)? You know, just leave it hanging.

 

My experience isn't with ones from an XJ but in the few that I've replaced at work.

They have used the same connectors across different model packages so sometimes you are left with a wire or 2 not used with the replacement unit.

This may not apply with an XJ but it doesn't make a lot of sense for manufacturers to use different connectors for the same areas on different models.

 

In my 99 Jeep (different part number then your 96), I put a noncruise clock spring in while my Jeep had the cruise option. I put in the non cruise option because it was cheaper ($55 vs $120) and I never found myself using cruise before the clockspring went dead.

 

My thinking is maybe you can.
I have read that you can put a not cruise control clock spring in a '97 and up that has cruise control.
You just won't have a working cruise control anymore.
So in '97 and up I don't see why the reverse can't be true.
But.....
And we are talking about a '96 so......
Maybe now is the time to install cruise control. LOL.
Probably one of the first things I did in the way of adding factory options she did not come with.
If you have all the parts it is plug and play. And real easy to do. In a '97 and up.
Googling around for a '96 looks like it might be just as easy.

 

Nah, I don't have cruise control in my 96 SE 2-door. But my horns DO interfere with the engine firing while driving: it causes the engine to lose spark and buck. Release the horn and all is good. Unless I'm at a light and really lay it on. Then the engine just stalls. LOL! (Egads!)

 

The situation, as I understand it, is the cruise control failure takes place in conjunction with horn issue

therefore, NOT having a cruise control (like the OP apparently has, and yourself) simply means you cannot use that as an "extra" diagnostic, prior to taking it apart

 

OK. I have gone ahead and pulled junkyard clock springs to no avail: the horn still stumbles the engine. The 1996 standard clock spring is not being made by the aftermarket folks (Mopar P/N 56007522). Online vendor customer support people say the cruise control version clock spring is not interchangeable; but honestly, I think they just say that because they're not motorheads; and they're watched over closely for returned orders which gets them in trouble with junior management minions.

I'm gonna pony up the bucks for an OMIX S-56007621 or a Quadratec 56114.9005 clock spring with cruise control pigtail [in addition to the regular plug connector] ]and see what happens. Will let you guys know.

Cheers from South Florida.