bfrat

So it's got cold here in Iowa and seems to have an affect on my '97 Cherokee Sport. First, while in reverse pulling into the garage on a sleight upward grade it stalled out. Not sure why but it happened when I took my foot off the accelerator while lining it up in the mirrors. Two days later, Jeep started fine, nothing unusual. Ran some errands, had 2 beer at a pub. Driving home notice the CHECK GAUGES came on and battery gauge flatlined while at a red light, but Jeep ran fine. So, I put into neutral and pumped the accelerator a few times and it seemed the Jeep was misfiring or about to stall so I put into drive and successfully got home. Searching Forum for info but I'm not sure where to go with this, seems it could be electrical or fuel problem. Any insight on where to start would be great. Jeep is all stock, 4 L. I've included some repairs that have been done in the recent few years.
11/12/10 replace valve cover gasket
2/28/11 fuel line leak/repair
6/23/11 catalytic converter, oil sens asc w/ gauge
6/29/11 replaced O2 sensor
7/15/11 power steer pump/res.
2/20/12 oil change
3/28/13 spark plugs, oil change
1/31/13 new battery under 3yr warranty
3/17/14 replace battery term/cables
3/22/14 replace new battery under 3 yr war
6/22/15 replace alternator
7/16/15 muffler, rotor, dist cap, wires, oil change
9/14/15 diag/repair starter wire
2/22/16 replace up/lwr rad hoses
3/30/16 replace h2o pump gask, serp belt, hose clamps

BlueRidgeMark

Start by pulling codes. That will help point you in the right direction.

Second, clean all your grounds.

seXjay

The repair log seems to indicate a power issue. Check the connection on the front of the power distribution box (under it's own little plastic shroud). Also, the wire that runs from there to the alternator is a fusible link (not a fuse, mind you). Make sure it hasn't been cooked. If you are running through batteries and not charging appropriately you may have an issue there.
As far as it running poorly, the ECU can be super sensitive to low power conditions and considering everything fuel/spark/air is controlled through that bird it's no surprise.

bfrat

Alternator was purchased New, not a refurbished one. Battery seems to new as well to be the issue and I'd begin to think it has more to do with connections and corrosion since its 20 years old. . I've not gone to have codes pulled yet but will on a warmer day. Other than the direct connections to the battery, what other connections should I look at to clean. It almost stalled again after I was out shopping and it was sitting in the cold evening. Seems to be amplified issue when it's been out in the cold.

jordan96xj

Bad electrical connections tend to come to the surface when the seasons turn colder. Moisture freezing/contracting, and contraction of metal can cause a marginal connection to reach its tipping point.

Start with a general maintenance of the important electrical connections under the hood. Disconnect, clean till shiny, tightly reconnect.

moparado

Some good advice here.
Pulling the codes should of been done first and foremost whenever there's an engine driveability issue. If you do pull a code, that should be your biggest clue.

The fact your instrument cluster threw fits could also be a clue. That tends to suggest its some spooky electrical fault....grounds, connectors, etc.
If you clean all the ground connections and still have the issue, i'd try re-seating the computer module connectors and go from there.

But pull any trouble codes if they exist. Go to Autozone or similar, they'll do it for free.

jpk

Possibly the CPS. Sounds like what my 96 was doing until I replaced it. You don't need to use a scanner to read the codes although it is more convenient. Use the ignition key on off method. The code should be displayed on your mileage window.

bfrat

Hey all. I've cleaned my throttle body and air control valve. Also in the process of cleaning grounds. One more left, the one that connects to firewall and rear engine block. Would that strap have something to do with my FM radio not picking up a signal? FM seems to be intermittent. With that said, the few thing I've cleaned seemed to have made an improvement. Plus I put some fuel injector cleaner. Thanks thus far.

bfrat

Update. No codes came up before or after cleaning all grounds. Still an issue with battery gauge dropping periodically, not pinning to bottom, but then regains proper position/reading. Not sure why.