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A mystery solved and lessons learned

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Old Jan 16, 2026 | 05:52 PM
  #1  
AlSpeciale's Avatar
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From: Los Angeles
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Default A mystery solved and lessons learned

Hey guys and gals,

I am writing this incase someone is struggling or will experience a similar situation as myself in the future.

I started a few threads about two weeks ago seeking potential reasons to my 1992 laredo shutting off exactly 10-15 minutes after starting, and most times it would start back up and then not shut off again until it had sat for a while.

I literally worked on this problem for two weeks day and night. I saw a lot of people on the forums who had a similar problem, but the threads often ended with no resolve, and most of the suggested fixes that solved problems for other people did not work for me.

Things that I tried:
Tested Crank shaft position sensor and replaced
Cleaned and replaced IAC valve
Cleaned throttle body
Replaced spark plugs
Replaced cap and rotor
Tested TPS and Replaced TPS
Tested MAP sensor
Tested and replaced oxygen sensor (needed replacing anyway)
Cleaned all grounds
Tested Intake for leaks
Tested camshaft position sensor..
tested fuel pressure with fuel pressure gauge

During this process my injectors went bad and a vaccume hose broke. I had to replace those things also and thought maybe it was related to my main stalling problem, but it wasn't.

What was the issue:
it turned out to be a failing camshaft position sensor that only failed when the car got to operating temperature. I figured this out when I tried turning the key to read any available error codes. I got a 54 error code which is a camshaft position sensor. I tried two weeks prior to get a code but no code was showing. I also tested the connections with a ohm meter but it passed that test. I believe I did not get a code because I didn't check it when the car was clearly in a no start condition. The second time I checked for the code, it was when the car died and would not start, immediately after dying when the vehicle was hot and not getting connection reading from the sensor. Replaced the distributor and now the problem is solved.

What I learned:
Firdt thing to do should be to check for codes when the vehucle is in a no start condition, when hot, if you suspect the issue to be heat related. Don't give up on the jeep, there is an explanation.

Thanks for everyone who helped. I will go and post this conclusion to the threads that I started last week.



Last edited by AlSpeciale; Jan 16, 2026 at 05:57 PM.
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Old Jan 16, 2026 | 07:31 PM
  #2  
Roberto145's Avatar
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Good catch on that cam sensor. Heat-related failures are the worst because they hide when things cool down. Your point about checking for codes *while it's dead* is solid advice a lot of us check too soon or too late. Glad you stuck with it and got it fixed. Posting your solution in those old threads will definitely help the next guy.
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