Hi everyone,

My 2001 Jeep Cherokee from time to time when I first start it will shake and rumble for a few seconds before I give it a decent amount of gas and it goes away. I never though twice about it until last night it did this and I was backing out of a spot and had it in reverse and it started to shake and rumble I put gas on it and back out of the spot and then the jeep wouldn't move. It was still turned on but would not respond to pressing on the gas. I then turned it off and back on and it started fine and I pushed the gas still nothing and I pushed it all the way down and it moved a couple of inches. I then turned it off and on again and the same thing. I then turned it off and on for a third and floored it and it started moving fine but the check engine light was then on. I then drove hom which was very close to where I was. Does anyone know what this problem could possibly be? The check engine light has never come on before when it rumbled and shaked and then went away. I also am a bit nervous to drive it to a mechanic. Will it die on the way? Also, if anyone knows what the problem might be, is it significant pricey damage? Thank you in advance for any feedback or advice.

 

check your TPS sensor, they do get dirty and require cleaning from time to time.
remove the air inlet pipe at your Throttle and peak inside, how clean is it?

 

Tune up. If it is behaving like that you could have a misfire because of a fouled spark plug, poor fuel pressure, or your TPS could be out of adjustment or damaged. Try revving the engine with the throttle, not the pedal and check for hissing or a sputtering injector.

 

If it does this after you park it and then restart within 10-15 minutes there is a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) on it from the manufacturer. It is known as a heat soak problem. The heat from the engine causes a misfire in the #2 or #3 cylinder creating the rough idle and CEL to come on. Have the CEL code checked at a local parts store, most of them wil do it for free.

 

seein as i have that problem, before i change the cat and waste some money i wanna see if thats it, do i just take it to the stealership and they fix it or what? i'm 18 and have never had to go through the whole TSB thing so sorry if my question is a little noob-ish..

 

Unfortunately no, if it was a safety recall notice then the dealer would repair it free of charge. A TSB only informs the dealers and repair shops of an issue and what to look for when a customer brings the vehicle in for maintenance. Pm bigomudders, he has the access to all TSBs and recalls online and can pull it up to see what the recommended solution is.

 

do the parts store CEL thingy, a stealership could chagre quite a bit for it. Call your local dealer and inquire about getting the light scanned for codes, ask what the charges are, most are like 39.95. just do not commit to anything else until you have that written info down. OR do you know anyone with a scanner?

 

Well I took it to the mechanic and apparently it was a spark plug issue...they said one of the cylinders was mis-firing and this should take care of the problem, I hope they are right! Thank you for all of your feedback and suggestions!