Hey everyone, so this is def not the best way to introduce myself but here it goes:
I did post this earlier in the Jeep Chat forum, sorry.

I live in the Bay Area of CA and bought my first 1987 Jeep Cherokee Laredo 4x4 4.0 inline 6. I test drove it and even took it into a little dirt patch just to mess around. I decided to buy it because it drove great then, BAM it starts to jerk and flutter on the freeway. I was doing about 75 and the Jeep shuts off on the freeway. I got out checked for any smoke and started her back up. It fired right up and I drove to the next exit.

Got it home safe and I now realize that I have to fix this dang thing and dont know where to start.

I drove it around town and noticed that it will flutter if I dont have the rpms over 2000 when accelerating. On the freeway it jerks pretty bad when I dont have the RPMs high. Another thing is that it is quite difficult to keep the RPMs up that high all the time. I literally have to floor it and then it will only go up to maybe 4000RPMs. I did change the fuel filter and the distributor cap and rotor are new as well.

I have no way to connect it to any type of code reader and barely have any tools. I am getting it looked at by a mechanic that I know that fixes cars as a side job but if its just a fuel pump or relay I can do it myself I just want to fix it before I mess it up even more.

Oh and Yes I still drive it I commute about 23 miles one way so about 50 miles a day. If anyone has had these problems please help me I am desperate to fix it.

Thanks guys!

 

Mechanic guy said he won't mess with it because he doesn't know jeeps well. Now I have to take it to a shop to run diagnostics and see what they come up with :-(

 

Replace the plugs and wires, which should be done as a matter of maintenance. Use Champion plugs, and I prefer Belden wires from NAPA. I would test the fuel pressure; some parts stores with a tool loaner program may have a fuel pressure gauge. Hopefully someone more familiar with Renix will respond (cruiser, you there?).

 

Out of the Tps, iac, map, cps
which can cause the car to shut down>

 

CPS, MAP, and the TPS can cause shutdown or a rough running ride. The IAT only affects fuel ratio(?).
There are not any codes to get from a renix because they have none. A voltmeter is about the best tool you can have.
Your shift problem sounds like a TPS issue and if you go to cruiser54s' page he has lots of tech for the adjustment along with other stuff. You could also have the MAP going out on you, or the vac hose going to it has issues.

 

Dang thanks guys honestly I don't know what any of those acronyms mean yet. The spark plugs and wires Have been done but the rest is out of my league as of right now.
Do you think a shop will have these tools to diagnose the problems? A lot of places I called already told me they won't mess with it. The place I'm going to seemed pretty confident and said if it's a simple fix they will only charge me the diagnostics fee. How should I select a shop to take it to?

 

There is a terminology thread at the top of the page, "great info threads".
And if a shop won't touch it , it's because they have gotten lazy with cars telling them what to fix. Shops with grease on the floor and an old project outside are a good start, or look for a shop with a Cherokee in the employee parking.

 

Acronyms-->

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f9/acronyms-3599/

 

Start with the link in my signature. Simple yet effective stuff. Proven, and can be done by a novice.

Start with Posts #1, 2, 3, and 4.

 

im cracking myself up

 

 

Thanks guys Im taking notes and learning.

I called about 10 shops and they told me they wont even touch the Jeep haha. I did call a guy who specializes in old cars, jeeps and hotrods and he made a very good point. He said if when you turn it on and let is sit at idle, listen to the fuel pump and if its loud its the fuel pump.

I originally thought thats what it was because it is kind of loud but thought I should have a second, third...opinion. I will be doing write ups 1-4 over the weekend if I dont take it to the shop. But I am almost sure I will be dropping it off on friday morning just to have a professional look at it. I hate spending money on things I could avoid but I dont really have any tools or buddies that could help.

Thanks guys I will keep you posted.

 

Do the tips first. We have confidence in you.

 

Thanks man. I will do my best but the wiring in it is all messed up. Dude before me messed everything up. Will post a pic later.

 

Left side

Middle

Right side