i have a 97 xj with 192k, 4.0 and ax15. just picked her up, she was poorly maintained (that would be being kind). my problem is when i shift, mostly in 2nd and 3rd but sometimes 1st and 4th i can let the clutch all the way out and when i get up to speed or am getting up to speed, sometimes nothing will happen. like the engine cuts out, but its still running. and then i will give it gas and it will sputter and "catch up" and run. my thoughts on this sound like it could be a worn clutch? Im asking you guys cause many more experienced brains are better than one! ahah. maybe some sensor out or something? (wishful thinking, that would be a lot easier then a clutch ahah)

things im going to do (havent had time with work, planning on tom. but idk if they would affect this, maybe fix? this or not)
both new o2 sensors
oil change with seafoam
t case oil change
tranny oil change
rear dif oil change
plugs caps rotors
throttle body clean
other general maintenance that needs catching up on (any suggestions too?)

thanks in advance.

 

Possibly a fuel issue. I had the same problem with mine and ended up having to get a new fuel pump. Check your fuel pressure.

 

ok, ill put that onto the list to do tom... now to figure out how to go about doing that... hahah

 

Idk if the 97 and older models are different but my engine has the fuel rail on the right side of the valve cover. Near the front of that is a small valve that looks like what's on your tires. Push that in before you start it up tomorrow and gas should come out. That's an easy test to see if you're keeping pressure. Best way to test actual pressure is to get a fuel pressure gauge to hook on to that valve before you start up and take a measurement while it's running. You'll have to look up what it's supposed to say cause I can't think of it now though lol.

 

will this tell me even though its only an intermittent problem while driving?

 

Any codes stored? How do the plugs, cap, rotor and wires look?
Also check the TPS (throttle position sensor) output voltage for a smooth increase from near zero (throttle closed) to just under 5 volts (throttle wide open). key on, engine off.
Exact readings aren't as important as the voltage not dropping out or spiking anywhere along it's travel.

 

This, and yes it will. At slower speeds the fuel pressure isn't needed as much until you step on it to go faster. Since the fuel doesn't get there as much as it needs to, the engine will act like that.

 

so just open up the throttle while the car is on, but not running?

 

and it did have like 11 codes... but theyre 2 o2s and 2 heater wires (i assume for the 02s) and 6 misfires (which i assume have to do with the o2), but maybe not. i took off my battery to do some stuff and they havent come back on, im going to replace the 2 o2s though. and i put a new cap plugs and wires on, old ones were bad.

 

ok, quick update. we have a digital one so im just gonna try and replace it since i couldnt really read it. i cleaned the iac plunger thing and the whole valve itself and its still doing it.

 

replaces tps, cleaned iac, still does it. like when im accelerating or just driving the engine will cut out and stall, then sputter and catch up again. fuel pump symptoms?

 

you think your having a fuel prob right?
Your have codes that say your o2s are not working?
O2s play a part in fueling....
Replace them....
and cross your fingers.

 

just found the PO spliced the downstream one, instead of keeping the damn harness. now i cant find a diagram as to how to hook it up.

 

Ruh-Roh. If the +5V bus for the O2 sensors shorts, it screws with every other 5V sensor. TPS, CPS, etc. What exactly did they splice, and how?

 

Check the MAP sensor too.