mtbfreak612

For the past few weeks my 98 has been idling rough and sometimes dying at idle. It will accelerate like normal most of the time, but sometimes there will be a stutter before it accelerates.

Another symptom is when I am cruising in 4th at say 60 mph, if I come to a hill and it stays in 4th then the engine will sometimes feel like it is cutting out or stuttering pretty badly. However, in the case where it does drop a gear, then sometimes it will never find 4th again until I shut the engine off and let it cool for 10-15 minutes.

So far I've replaced the TPS in September with a Driveworks replacement, and I cleaned the IAC.

I attached a video of the Jeep at idle while its acting up, however it does get significantly worse than that at times

Jeep has 160,xxx miles, auto trans

Thernlund

Have you checked the basics? Spark plugs, fuel pressure, oil pressure, ect?

That 4th gear thing is weird. Again, basics. Fluid level?

Sorry, I'm not much help I guess. :-(


-T.

mtbfreak612

So I pulled the wires off the spark plugs and found this not so nice looking plug, going to go ahead and replace them

tjwalker

Thernlund gets the cookie!

Would be a good idea to perform a complete tuneup while you are at it. Parts are inexpensive and that way you have established a new date/mileage for the next tuneup.

Fresh Champion plugs gapped to .035, quality plug wires, distributor cap and rotor.

mtbfreak612

Hopefully this is the source of the issue! Ive got champion copper plugs and MSD wires on the way. If not do you have any suggestions as to where I should look to next?

tjwalker

1. For the stumbling, it's time to test fuel pressure. Must be done with a fuel pressure gauge which can be rented from many parts stores, call around for availability. For a 98, you should see 49 psi, plus or minus 5 psi.

2. For the intermittent transmission issues, review the basics on the AW4. What is the history of routine maintenance, ie: fluid change? Be sure the fluid is red in color and at the correct level on the dipstick with a hot engine, level ground, fully exercised transmission.

But first, finish a complete tuneup and see where you're at. I still didn't see mention of cap and rotor and those secondary ignition parts are very important!

mtbfreak612

I will be picking up a new cap and rotor tomorrow to go in along with the plugs and wires