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XJ Ask the Question Thread
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 541
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver
Year: 1998 and 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.7
Oh.. just realized that it was already answered...
Last edited by karl4x4; Aug 18, 2013 at 09:44 PM.
Herp Derp Jerp

Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 18,251
Likes: 17
From: Parham, ON
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L OBD-II
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,387
Likes: 1
From: The Florida State University
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I-6 4.0 L
Herp Derp Jerp

Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 18,251
Likes: 17
From: Parham, ON
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L OBD-II
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,578
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
From: Poconos, PA
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Lately my 92 Xj has been stalling out when I put it in reverse like its not getting air or gas. Runs fine when in put in drive but if I have to back up the second i throw it in reverse it stutters bad or just stalls completely. Also noticed when it doesn't stall out the lights dim for a while after I've backed up.
Root causes? Troubleshoot tips? I'm lost
Root causes? Troubleshoot tips? I'm lost
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,056
Likes: 3
From: Washington, MO
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Setting Your 4.0 at #1 TDC
With #1 spark plug removed, turn the engine over clockwise using the 3/4" front crankshaft bolt. You will see the degree marks on your front cover. Mark the 0 with chalk or white-out.You will see the timing mark on the balancer. Mark it with chalk or white-out. While turning the engine over, put your finger/thumb over #1 spark plug hole. As the mark on the balancer approaches the marks on the front cover, if you are coming up on #1 TDC, pressure in the cylinder will push on your finger. If there's no pressure, you're at #6 TDC and need to crank the engine over until you see the marks coming together and you get pressure. Set the mark on the balancer to the 0 mark on the front cover.
With #1 spark plug removed, turn the engine over clockwise using the 3/4" front crankshaft bolt. You will see the degree marks on your front cover. Mark the 0 with chalk or white-out.You will see the timing mark on the balancer. Mark it with chalk or white-out. While turning the engine over, put your finger/thumb over #1 spark plug hole. As the mark on the balancer approaches the marks on the front cover, if you are coming up on #1 TDC, pressure in the cylinder will push on your finger. If there's no pressure, you're at #6 TDC and need to crank the engine over until you see the marks coming together and you get pressure. Set the mark on the balancer to the 0 mark on the front cover.
I need to attach the flywheel to the torque convertor so I guess I'll have to find TDC again.
OR how about this. Can I just install the distributor (whatever it's called for a 2000)? in the slot while its at TDC now? And then just spin the crank so I can bolt on the convertor?
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 3
From: Canton, GA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Woah, just sort of had an idea... my XJ has been squealing with the AC on when I first start it for a couple months now. Bought a new belt, but haven't really bothered putting it on since... it's kind of a pain to remove the alternator and such. The old belt LOOKS fine, to me... it never squeaks other than when I have the air on, with one exception... one time, I was going turning left at a stop sign with the AC on, and I lost power-steering for a split second (caused by belt slipping, I assume? Accompanied by a squeak.).. the squeaking is intermittent. Sometimes it happens, sometimes not. After things have a minute to "warm up" it stops. Note, I'm not running the AC while it squeaks. Here's how it happens: turn the Jeep on, turn the AC on, it starts squeaking, I turn AC off, stops squeaking... wait a minute, turn it back on, bam. It's fine.
Sort of a long winded explanation, but it leads me to my idea: could the problem be a bad compressor and not, in fact, a bad belt?
Sort of a long winded explanation, but it leads me to my idea: could the problem be a bad compressor and not, in fact, a bad belt?
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 773
Likes: 0
From: Rockford illinois
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: h.o. 4.0
Woah, just sort of had an idea... my XJ has been squealing with the AC on when I first start it for a couple months now. Bought a new belt, but haven't really bothered putting it on since... it's kind of a pain to remove the alternator and such. The old belt LOOKS fine, to me... it never squeaks other than when I have the air on, with one exception... one time, I was going turning left at a stop sign with the AC on, and I lost power-steering for a split second (caused by belt slipping, I assume? Accompanied by a squeak.).. the squeaking is intermittent. Sometimes it happens, sometimes not. After things have a minute to "warm up" it stops. Note, I'm not running the AC while it squeaks. Here's how it happens: turn the Jeep on, turn the AC on, it starts squeaking, I turn AC off, stops squeaking... wait a minute, turn it back on, bam. It's fine.
Sort of a long winded explanation, but it leads me to my idea: could the problem be a bad compressor and not, in fact, a bad belt?
Sort of a long winded explanation, but it leads me to my idea: could the problem be a bad compressor and not, in fact, a bad belt?
Cylinder 6 misfire, I've replaced the dis cap, the plugs and the wires and the code keeps coming back, the power loss is more than evident. I can barely turn tires in dirt, I'm more than sure my cat has taken some damage by the way my exhaust sounds, also the code reader said something about the o2 sensor in my cat. What am I not doing? Also did a compression text, they all read good
Last edited by mattbillytayloexj; Aug 19, 2013 at 04:27 PM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 3
From: Canton, GA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 3
From: Canton, GA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Junior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 15,016
Likes: 11
From: +34° 25' 35.67", -81° 21' 12.04"
Year: 1993
Engine: 4.0
There's a set bolt and a bolt that you loosen and the idler releases tension.
I can swap a belt out in 5 minutes on a late model.
Nothing to it.
Last edited by Lowrange2; Aug 19, 2013 at 04:41 PM.




