My wife took a job on the Navajo Reservation as a nurse. So, I sold our Buick, bought a 1998 Jeep Xj, put a receiver hitch on it, built a motorcycle trailer, and quickly moved the family from MN to AZ. It always started hard. In the move, I had too much weight at the rear of the jeep and on the hitch and, when the roads got rough in CO and I hit a particularly large bump, I heard the differential slam up into the underside of the Jeep and I suddenly lost power. I noticed that the harness connection to the fuel pump was smashed, so I spliced the wires together, but it still wouldn't start. The next morning, it wouldn't start either, but, after smacking the fuel pump relay around some and replacing a 15 amp fuse in the engine compartment, she started right up. Later in the day, she lost power for a second, but reved back up before I even had time to worry too much about it. I didn't have any other issues for a couple of weeks. Then, these things began occurring: The check engine light comes on periodically; there is a strong smell of gas from the exhaust; she will get stuck in park and refuse to start like she is in drive and won't come out of park unless I turn on the heater, then I put it in neutral and she starts (no reverse lights -NS Switch?). Finally, she suddenly began shutting down on me again all together. I put starter fluid in and she would sputter, so I knew there was spark, but she wouldn't start. Then, for no apparent reason, awhile later it would start again and I'd get down the road a few miles, and it would shut down. Eventually, I called a tow truck. Of course, now it starts and runs everyday, putting off that rich fuel smell, but I don't want to take the wife and kids out on these desolate roads until I know I have fixed the problem. Its also been leaking oil from the valve cover and there have been many an odd electrical irregularity. Where do I start. What is wrong with my Jeep?

 

First I would start by scanning the comp and see what codes come up.

 

Welcome! And welcome to the west! (and we call it spacious, not desolate).
Yea /\..I think there is a key deal, you turn the ign. on and off three times and the light on the dash flashes codes. You may want to pick up a manual for your new "job". Not that you won't get plenty of help here. I think there is a "sticky"on the codes. How does it idle?

 

I tried the procedure detailed here:

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/jee...di-obdii-3341/

and got nothing. It went thru the 111111 to 999999 and then right back to the mileage - no serial #, no code. I tried both procedures with and without the parking break. No flashing check engine light either. But, its on when the engine is running.

 

codeshttp://jeep-xj.info/HowtoECUcodes.htm

 

Its spacious when the vehicle is running, desolate when its not.

 

Link isnt working either.

 

Oh, it idles alright, though the fan pulses on and off.

 

The cavalry is coming.

"Its spacious when the vehicle is running, desolate when its not." Funny!

BTW....I use the edit button allot to add brilliant commentary.

I thought they might bring up the MAP sensor is why I asked about the idle. Good luck!

 

Thanx. What is a MAP sensor? Also, I took the jeep down to the P.O. this morning & ran fine, though that exhaust still smells rich. The idle does seem a hair high. Oh, & the previous owner put an after-market exhaust pipe on it that makes it sound throatier, deeper. Could that be an issue? I'd like to get some clue before I start throwing money into this thing.

 

Really I have plenty to learn on the pre 90 models. My info on your 98 is yet more limited. I think I've heard talk of an over rich condition related to the MAP sensor, (Manifold Absolute Pressure). On my 90 its up on the firewall with vac line that plugs in low on the throttle body. For now all I can suggest is you check that the line is OK and it's hooked up.

 

codeshttp://jeep-xj.info/HowtoECUcodes.htm __________________ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Browar...16180743387its all in your altitude

I did this many times - still no code. Just solid check engine light.

 

Maybe fix the oil leak, check your grounds, replace the fuel pump relay and do a through job on that wiring splice till you are sure that's not an issue.

Heater blower, or heat? You mean stuck in park, like the key is not on?

 

Thanx. Will do. She died again tonight.

 

O.k. So, after dinner, I went out and she started right up. The exhaust smells like a chainsaw's exhaust with a stuck choke. I listened to the fuel pump through the fuel tank with my wife's stethoscope & the pump gives a constant whir, but there is a sucking sound that skips periodically. But, honestly, I couldn't stay under there, what with the heavy exhaust fumes - they're really bad. I have made it all the way to 2011 having never owned a car with fuel injection or a computer, so any and all help would be greatly appreciated. I changed the terminal leads, cleaned up the oil, checked the grounds, and put diode gel on all the sensor connections I could. I do love this jeep and am tired of hearing my wife's **** about how we should have kept the buick.