Hi everyone!

I'm located in La Paz, Baja California Sur, so if anyone wants to visit and get to know great places, let me know!

So I have a stock 96 XJ with no modifications whatsoever, besides of a few canceled vacuum lines, and the problem I'm having is that it doesn't accelerate as it did when I got it like 4 months ago.

Let me explain a little bit more about this....

So it does accelerate and revs if you're already at certain speed, but when taking off let's say, if I'm parked or on a stop light and go into drive, even if I hit bottom on the gas pedal, it doesn't rev up more than 2500 rpm...

Does anyone has any idea on where to start? This is what I've done to it so far:

- New gas filter.
- New oil filter and oil of course.
- Checked injectors and they're very clean, looks like they just had maintained before I got it.
- Cleaned TPS, IAC and throttle body.

Also, it doesn't act like that ALL the time, but it generally does and it's a pain, especially if I'm at the beach.

Please let me know if I'm not being clear enough and excuse me for my English...

 

Is it a 4.0 auto? Does it behave better if you select 1-2 to set off instead of D?

 

Hi!

It is a 4.0 Auto, sorry for that.

It behaves the same is I select 1-2 from my perspective, but it does happen less often if it's in 1-2.

 

You mention canceled vacuum lines. Not sure if it would have anything to do with it, but could you tell us which ones are canceled and why?

I live by the Canadian border and was concidering a long road trip to Mexico. I'll keep you in mind if we go. It wouldn't be until Nov time frame.

 

.Hey brother! I would love yo show you around, there are many, many awesome places around here and November is pretty much the best month because weather is very nice! Let me know if you do come over.

Regarding the canceled line, I'm attaching a picture pointing it out, let me know what you think...

 

That vacuum port is plugged on my '96 as well so that's not the issue. Not sure what the cause could be, but will give it more thought. Hopefully someone else has a solution.

 

Check for a blocked cat

 

It has no cats at all where I live it's not mandatory to have them and my XJ already came like that from the previous owner.

 

If you suspect a vacuum leak, apply a vacuum gauge, a good old fashioned tool that tells you a lot about how the engine is functioning

Usually a vehicle with a vacuum leak will not idle at all well

You have not mentioned OBD2 codes. Your vehicle should have a '96 compliant reader such as BASIX applied, cost me $30 to buy one

Many OBD2 readers have trouble with 1996 models

 

Thank you sir...

In that case, I don't think it's a vacuum leak because it idles very smoothly at 800 RPM, I'll get the vacuum gauge, gas pressure gauge, and a OBD2 reader this weekend and will give it a try.

 

I have a 96 XJ automatic 4.0, this may be aong shot, there is an adjustment for the throttle linkage located in the bracket that is behind your hand in the picture that you posted, is it possible that the cable is slipping inside the adjustment piece?

 

I've read about that multiple times, and my problem is that my TV cable doesn't auto adjust... If I put it all the way back, release the button, go to the gas pedal, and hit it, the cable doesn't adjust itself, so I don't know if that's normal or not, I read somewhere that some XJs have that kind of cable and some have the auto adjustable one, so no clue

 

Rather than press the gas pedal I just grab the throttle linkage and turn it there. Sometimes floor mats or other "obstacles" may prevent dressing the pedal fully. This way I can also check for any binding in the linkage. Of course, it's possible the cable is stretched.

 

yeah, I tried that, but it still doesn't autoadjust, I had to put it back where it was before myself.. :/

 

These photos are from the Hanes manual and may help. It could be the transmission linkage and is covered in the one photo.
Oh and ignore the feet. LOL