There is probably a thread for this somewhere already, but I don't have the time to look real hard.
So a few questions,
One-I haven't looked but do a '96 sport and a '96 country have the same wiring harness?
Two-I know it would be a pain in the *** and take a lot of time, but is it possible/a viable option to replace the wiring?
Three-If its not possible/viable to replace the wiring what would be the better thing to do, sell and start over or get a professional to re-wire?

 

1 - Yes all wiring is present in all trim models
2&3 - Which wiring exactly? Why replace? Are you having problems?

 

I'm told that I need to change all of the wiring. I was driving a month or so ago and the Jeep just shut off. We got it towed to a mechanic and he said we needed to get the computer re-flashed, so we took it to a jeep dealership and got it re-flashed. Then I was told it was driveable, so I was driving down the road to go onto the lake and it just shut off again. And I'm told its the computer again. So there is a short somewhere and it keeps shorting out the computer. We want to change the engine out anyway because it has 317k and we have a parts jeep with 160k but if I don't change the wiring it will just fry the computer again. So yea, changing the wiring? Or sell and start over?

 

Have you sought a secon opinion? Is the wiring obviously toast? I've got to be honest, this sounds mostly like a scheme to rip you off instead of troubleshooting and possibly replacing the CKP/CPS. "All the wiring" is a pretty bold thing to say. Is the ECU not throwing a code? There are quite a few for wiring problems. There are also known grounding problems on this vehicle.

If I were you I'd start a new thread with all of your details and symptoms before wasting money

 

Once again I have to agree with salad. I had the same problems when my CPS was crapping out. A lot of mechanics don't check the CPS because most of the time it wont put out a code for it. So, They start guessing and raking in the money by telling you it needs parts that are not needed.

 

Well my main problem is if it has more than one problem/short in the wiring I don't have the money to keep re-flashing the computer. I checked it with my neighbors reader and it just wasn't throwing a code. Just a error for the computer being shorted. From just a quick check last night I saw one place where the coating on the wire was burnt off, I taped it off but like I said before, I can't reflash the computer to check if that was the only problem. Is there an easier way to reflash than taking it to the dealership?

Ohh and the only symptom I have is that the computer just keeps getting fried. Runs fine for a little then just shuts off and needs to be re-flashed.

 

Re-flashed? Can you explain a bit? Is the dealer loading the original software program onto it over and over or are they just wiping the short-term memory? If there was a short that erased the computer's programming the ECU would likely be toast. Something really smells fishy here...

 

That's exactly what I'm thinking. This is really weird but I don't know anything about wiring/vehicle electronics. Do you think that going in and slicing apart the corrugated plastic cover stuff with a razor and looking for places where there might be a short and taping the wires off be a good idea? I would obviously tape/zip tie the cover back together. And I guess I need to find out more about the re-flashing. I would guess they are probably wiping the short-term memory. But I really don't know. I will give a different mechanic a call and see what he has to say about it.

 

Yeah just wiping the short term memory takes just a few minutes and instructions can be found in many threads here. Actually inspecting the wiring is a good idea, careful when you're removing the corrugated plastic tubing to not nick any wires. By the way, when you're shopping for replacement stuff it's called "cable loom", its pretty cheap at most automotive stores.

 

Alright, thanks for the help Salad. I'll update on this probably tomorrow.

 

As Salad already said, ff your ECU was actually being shorted out badly enough to need a full on reflash then you'd likely be looking at a new ECU each time, not just a simple reprogramming/flashing of the ECU.

I honestly think you're being taken for a ride by these guys. I've never heard of a module (any module in a car, not just an ECU) being shorted out and being brought back to life by being reflashed/programmed. I would expect it to die completely if it was shorted really badly.

Definitely take some time and look over the connections and wires. Check for corrosion, bare or worn wires (especially around grommets in the firewall or places where the wires move like in the door jams), and any scorching/burn marks on or near wires.

 

Check the O2 wiring and make sure they're not shorting out on the exhaust manifold.