Complete loss of power while driving no warning or indication anything is wrong just completely shuts off. Theoretically I should be able to pop the clutch and jumps itself back off but it doesn’t work. I have to turn the key off and it starts right back up.

 

Try checking if your crankshaft position sensor bolts are loose or missing. I got my Cherokee for cheap because the old owner couldn't figure out why it kept shutting off. Turns out, since he didn't bother to fix vibrations the CPS bolts rattled loose. This will cause intermittent, random, shutting off of the engine as the CPS sensor bounces around in the bell housing. All it does is sense where a magnetic plate on the flywheel is each time it passes in front of the sensor to regulate engine timing, etc. If it happens to move too far away because of road vibrations, then the vehicle will shut off because it doesn't know where the crankshaft is and doesn't want to throw a rod. I made my engine knock pretty bad a few times pushing it too hard while the CPS was loose. Took me a long (months) time of chasing other issues until I finally went and drifted a few corners when she shut down for good. I had enough momentum to roll back into my driveway, when I got out I looked under the driver side door and sure enough my CPS was hanging by the wire. Took a few months, but the last bolt finally rattled out and my issue fell right before my eyes. I went to the scrapyard, got the bolts for free, and she's been running with no issues for almost a year now. Let me know if you need more info/pictures on how to get to it; it's a little cramped up there. It's the easiest to check first, otherwise, you gotta look for other electrical/fuel issues.

 

Losing all power: including dashlights/all gauges? or only engine stops running?

 

Everything electrically and mechanically. No lights,radio, or engine.

 

Check all those grounds that go to the stud on the oil stick tube. While it is idling, reach down and wiggle them. If the power goes out, or if the engine even changes sound, all that mess needs to be taken apart, add eyelets, a short grounding strap to absorb vibration, and bolt it back to the stud.

If you get nothing there, do the same wiggle while running process to the wires to coil, crank position sensor, and pickup coil.

 

Given you lose everything and sudden, you have a more ' proximal central' problem. Not just an engine cutting out.
(Could even be as simple as a battery connection) so before it gets all exciting- what have you checked or done so far?

 

Nothing yet. Definitely gonna try and start simple. I’m gonna check battery and CTS today if I get off at a decent time. Other than the time 2 days ago it had been almost 2 months the last time it did it so I haven’t been extremely worried about it but I wanna find what it is before it morphs into a bigger problem.

 

Also nothing but static from radio replaced alternator but still static. Not sure if this plugs into the problem anywhere.

 

Driving around with a random occuring loss of all power and thus control of the vehicle is asking for a drama....you need to adress this.

You'll need to start doing some checks and testing which we can help with for a start.

Why did you replace the alternator?

 

I replaced the alternator,pulleys,then finally a/c compressor chasing a squeal.

 

Intermittent electrical issues can be challenging to find but start with the simple stuff of checking and cleaning. Given the entire power loss, I'd start with anything battery and grounds. Clean them up (properly- take them off, clean them up, and fasten back tightly), clean up battery terminals (are the posts solid?).


Once you've done that, check wiring harnesses like described in post 5. Engine running (don't get anything caught in the drive belt), get your hands on wiring harnesses, battery cables, battery clamps etc and give them a few good wiggles in all directions where possible. Pay attention to any change this may cause.

While you're in the drivers seat, engine running, wiggle your key around as well and tilt steering up and down. Just curious if that does anything.

How old is your battery? You losing all electricity/power abruptly, makes me think its pointing towards 'central power supply' if that makes sense.

 

Post are solid. Battery is at least 2 years old, have some corrosion build up on one of the cables and batteries so I’m gonna start there.

 

Sounds good
Do a search as well, plenty threads on internet search. Including from member awg in 2018 with similar symptoms incl radio static. Don't know the outcome but he's around.

 

Any updates on the issue?

 

So I cleaned the battery post and cables really good a week ago tomorrow and it hasn’t happened since and my radio started working again. Fingers crossed cause my luck it usually isn’t something this easy/simply.