Have the very common "jeep cuts out or stutters while driving".
I changed the CPS because world wide web and all Jeep forums say that's the "go to" fix. Did not fix. Tested old one and it was good, after the fact.
I found that if I start it and let it run it will do the stutter thing as Jeep warms up and then begin to run smooth. I can drive All day without any issues once I do this. I mean All day. If I shut it off (at all) I have to do this again or it will do the cut while driving and stutter on take off. No I have not had the "codes" read. I believe the XJ does not care if you read the codes with all the sensors communicating with each other to relay info to the main. I have read enough to know if I get the codes read it will list a sensor or three and I could replace them or replace plugs & wires or check all connections and grounds and still not have it fixed.
My point is I believe that someone in the "Jeep" world probably has better diagnostic skills than an auto shop code reader and could make factual sense out of this instead of me just replace parts till it works.

 

IMO you should read them anyway. Doesn't mean you need to run out and buy something, but will give you an idea on where to look.

ALL information is good information.

 

^^^^ +1
First thing that should be done if the vehicle is having issues. Is the OBD perfect? No but access to the codes can save you lots of money that can be spent else where. I can access the OBD on my '96 by working the ignition switch. But if I couldn't I'd buy me a scanner.

 

Hey guys, long time toller first post.
Code readers are pretty cheap now. You can get a cheap Bluetooth one that will connect to your phone. If there are codes, it would be helpful to know what they are to start troubleshooting in the right place. Otherwise, you may become a parts chaser. 1st CPS, because the internet said. 2nd Spark plug wires, rotor, cap, plugs, coil, distributor, injectors, iac, tps. head gasket, head, fuel filter, fuel pump. Good luck.

 

OH yeah, most parts stores will let you use a code reader for free. You may try cleaning you throttle body. There are specific procedures, search the forum on "clean throttle body".

 

Reading the codes is a good place to start.
In the end I may have to just throw everything at it as it has 188,786 miles. I have owned it since 2011 and replaced water pump, alternator, radiator, battery and air filter and oil & filter and brakes.
So I figure complete distributor (cap, cam position sensor), wires, plugs, clean throttle body, Temp sensor, Throttle position sensor and o2 sensor. There is a crack in the exhaust (bandaided) but I cant afford that downtime right now.
I love the XJ but who in their right mind relies on a 20 year old "Jeep" for a/only daily driver?

 

Hi there.

 

I do, and I have a love-hate relationship with my XJ. For the most part, it has been reliable, then again I do only have 96000 original miles.

 

And I also. 130K miles. Body is shot, but everything mechanical and electrical works perfectly. Well, except for one window.

 

I drive my XJ as an *almost* daily driver. The only times I don't drive it is if I'm taking one of the small children and don't want to mess with putting their car seat into the Jeep. Over 300k on the body, ~170k on the engine.

 

Don't just throw parts at it. Especially cheap chinese parts that may be worse than the originals. Get a multimeter and start checking things like the temp sensor and throttle position sensor instead of blindly replacing them. Plugs, wires, and O2 sensor make sense to change if they're original. As for daily drivers, I drive my 89 most days of the week. :}

 

Stand back I've got this......

 

Anyway it sounds like it could be an O2 sensor causing your issue. I have had a couple that needed to be replaced but there was never a code for it. Best to go with an NTK brand.

And I don’t just rely on a 20 year old jeep as my only/daily driver. I have a second 20 year old jeep that I drive as well. We did have a third one that was my wife’s daily/only vehicle and our family vehicle. It was very reliable and if anything happened to go wrong I would have it fixed that day. It was the vehicle we needed to be able to just get in and go whenever and however far we needed to. But the wife really wanted something newer and that was that.