My 1998 4.0L Cherokee died on the way home from work today. Outside temp was about 112F. The radio stayed on, the A/C blower stayed on, but the engine just *POOF* died. Luckily had enough speed to safely move off the freeway in rush hour traffic. Got to the side and tried starting - the starter happily turned the engine, but it would not fire up at all. Popped the hood, checked fuses, wiggled ignition wires, etc. After about 10 minutes of head-scratching, I tried the starter, and it fired right up. Got about 3 miles, same thing happened. Raise hood for about 10 minutes, fires right up, for about 3 minutes, then dies again.

Since it only seems to affect the ignition (all other electrical works fine, including the starter), I'm thinking it could only be the ECU, ICM, or coil. Since they work when cool, taking them out and testing them probably won't help. Before I replace all 3, any one have comments, other ideas?

 

I have had the same problem before.....Coil.

 

Replace the Crank Position sensor.
Sounds like a classic CPS failure.
ITs a PITA to get to on the top left of the tranny. WTF couldn't they put it down lower where man sized hands can reach it.

About a month ago, the wifes 95 XJ did the same thing. WE had to tow it home and a quick search revealed others with the same issue and it was mostly universal answer, CPS.

 

CPS or the pickup coil in the distributor.

 

FTW!

 

Hello I'm having the same DAMN problem.I have replaced the CPS, Coil, Distributor,Map Sensor, Asd relay, Coil wire still the samething. Shuts off and won't start back for about ten mins. I have no fuel or fire at this time, I can rev. it all day long in the drive way won't act up until I drive it.:wallba sh:

 

Replace the pickup coil INSIDE the distributor, really a simple thing to replace. When a pickup coil fails, you may not get a check engine light and it will almost always act up when the engine is at operating temp and driving, once the engine cools you'll start up no problem.

 

Don't rule out the fact the the ECM controls the ground for the coil and the reference voltage for the ckp and cmp sensors

 

The entire distributor has been replaced. What dont make sense is I have to be driving before it will do it. It wont die just reving and idleing.

 

And I'm not trying to hi-jack your thread just were having the same problem I think