3ll3nwood

I'll try not too be too long winded here. I'm some what proficient with tools and my knowledge of cars but I'm not much of an engine guy (haven't really ventured there before.) So my experience is limited mostly to any fluid-esque maintenance and brakes, interior, etc.

1987 Cherokee Chief - Manual Trans

Problem one:
I start the car, idles at 2000 rpms. Turn off, start again, sometimes it drops to normal, around 700-800 rpms. Other times on restart it will jump to 3000 rpms, or drop to 1500 rpms, or just go right back to 2000 rpms. It really seems random to me.

I have no idea with this one really. Sometimes I'll pop the hood and push down on the linkage on the throttle body. I do not honestly know if this does anything or if its just coincidence but it seems to idle normal at 700-800 rpms after I do this, about 80% of the time.

Problem two:
Ebrake barely works. Handle feels like it has some tension, but definitely much less than the 90 non-running XJ in my yard (ebrake works really well on this one, even though it doesn't run.) I tried to turn the nut in to add some tension at the Y-cable split under the vehicle but it just seems bound up. I did some searching on ebrake tips. Is it really just a matter of getting that nut to budge and tightening it up a bit? Is this the correct starting point?

Any and all help/discussion is appreciated. Just trying to expand my knowledge here!

askingxforxit

Throttle cable may be sticking. Shoot some lube in the cable. I'm not sure if your keep is equipped with a throttle position sensor but if it is I would say check it. Someone with more knowledge in the matter should come in soon

Edit. The throttle body itself could also be sticking. Pull it and give it a good cleaning with throttle body cleaner.

3ll3nwood

Okay, two good places to start. I'm going to try both your suggestions this weekend.

freegdr

try cleaning the iac motor on throttle body ,the e brake has two nut that are locked together youhave to unlck them, then adjust the cable and lock them back together

XJ_Libertad

Check all your vacuum lines and make sure they are not worn or have cracks or holes in them. I just pulled into my driveway this evening and my idle jumped up to 3000. I noticed it was high at 1000 on the way home in stop and go traffic. I let it sit for an hour and went back out to start it and it was idling at about 1000 so I popped the hood and found a worn out vacuum nipple. When i covered it the idle would go down to normal. Will be replacing it tomorrow.