Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

Semi-rough idle

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-21-2018, 10:03 AM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
nardey11's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: New York
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Straight 6
Default Semi-rough idle

My 200 has a bit of a bumpy idle, not exactly rough but it bounces around. I got new 4-hole injectors and that calmed it down a bit, and replaced the TPS after I ruined it when a water crossing got too deep. Im wondering what else it can be, I cleaned the IAC valve recently too. It idles in the right spot but when im stopped it shakes and you can feel it throughout the whole car. IAC sensor? Motor mounts?
Old 02-21-2018, 10:06 AM
  #2  
CF Veteran
 
PatHenry's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Groton, MA
Posts: 3,695
Received 234 Likes on 207 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: I6 4.0L
Default

I'd check the tranny and motor mounts. Someone recently advised that if you start the engine with the hood open and you can see the engine vibrating your motor mounts are bad. For the tranny the general advice is to take a big screwdriver or pry bar and stick it between the frame or cross-member and tranny case and if you can move the tranny at all then the mount is bad.
Old 02-21-2018, 12:49 PM
  #3  
CF Veteran
 
5-Speed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: SoCal
Posts: 3,457
Received 374 Likes on 294 Posts
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Default

My 01 does the same thing. Here are some things I have done. I dont think the issue is anything mechanical but more electronic related. I get no check engine light for a mis-fire either.

- Rebuilt engine. Solid 150 psi across the board
- New spark plugs (Champion copper)
- Cleaned and flowed injectors
- New motor mounts
- Verified fuel trims arent going crazy
- Verified tps is good

Things I am doing next

- Refresh grounds
- Coil rail replacement

If it still idles the same after all that, I am going to say its normal since it runs perfectly fine.
Old 02-21-2018, 12:59 PM
  #4  
CF Veteran
 
EZEARL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: WV
Posts: 5,676
Received 298 Likes on 253 Posts
Year: '96
Model: Cherokee
Default

Maybe not in5-Speed's case being a new motor but the OP may have a carbon build up in the cylinders.
Old 02-21-2018, 09:42 PM
  #5  
Member
 
xjnm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 8 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0 L I6
Default

Originally Posted by 5-Speed
My 01 does the same thing. Here are some things I have done. I dont think the issue is anything mechanical but more electronic related. I get no check engine light for a mis-fire either.

- Rebuilt engine. Solid 150 psi across the board
- New spark plugs (Champion copper)
- Cleaned and flowed injectors
- New motor mounts
- Verified fuel trims arent going crazy
- Verified tps is good

Things I am doing next

- Refresh grounds
- Coil rail replacement

If it still idles the same after all that, I am going to say its normal since it runs perfectly fine.
I replaced the ground to body cable on mine and the dipstick ground and it made a big difference for starting and for my high/rough idle. Its a super easy job too.
Old 02-21-2018, 11:58 PM
  #6  
CF Veteran
 
Waynerd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: North canaan Connecticut
Posts: 1,469
Received 26 Likes on 26 Posts
Year: 01, 99, 98, 98,98
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

My wife's 01 is beginning to start a little rougher in the mornings and has a slightly noticeable skip that can only be heard from the tailpipe. It's at 211,*** miles and I'm about to start replacing sensors proactively. I changed the plugs about a year ago because the electrodes were nearly gone. Only ones I could get were the champions at the time. I'll probably switch in some NGK this summer.

I haven't decided where to start. Possibly the crank or cam sensor. Also it probably would be a good idea to replace power and ground cables. And also water pump, thermostat and temp sensor are in need before tradgedy strikes since it's got the 0331. I'm hoping I don't need to do the coil rail yet. Also it's the 50 state emissions so I should probably do the O2 sensors. As far as I can tell they're original and the exhaust should be fine for a couple more years.

Hopefully that will help. I also need to focus more on gaskets and seals. And the rest of the sensors are much easier to replace if one of them happens to go bad suddenly.
Old 02-22-2018, 08:54 AM
  #7  
Member
 
xjnm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 8 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0 L I6
Default

Originally Posted by Waynerd
I also need to focus more on gaskets and seals.
Do you know if valve cover gasket would help? It seems like it could cause vacum leaks since 2+ hoses go in there.
Old 02-22-2018, 08:49 PM
  #8  
CF Veteran
 
Waynerd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: North canaan Connecticut
Posts: 1,469
Received 26 Likes on 26 Posts
Year: 01, 99, 98, 98,98
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Those are not for vacuum. They're for crankcase ventilation. So a bad gasket wouldn't affect how it runs. If anything if one of those were clogged maybe the engine would be more sluggish.
Old 02-22-2018, 10:04 PM
  #9  
Member
 
xjnm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 8 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0 L I6
Default

Originally Posted by Waynerd
Those are not for vacuum. They're for crankcase ventilation. So a bad gasket wouldn't affect how it runs. If anything if one of those were clogged maybe the engine would be more sluggish.
Ok, thanks
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
athenscj5
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
13
12-25-2011 10:13 PM
chris015
Stock Grand Cherokee Tech. All ZJ/WJ/WK Non-modified/stock questions go here!
1
11-20-2009 04:45 PM
taterguy05
Stock Grand Cherokee Tech. All ZJ/WJ/WK Non-modified/stock questions go here!
2
06-30-2009 09:58 PM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


Quick Reply: Semi-rough idle



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:08 PM.