Northern Utah BS thread #2
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,366
Likes: 0
From: Spanish Fork, Utah
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Renix 4.0L
Originally Posted by jmaxj
Devin look under the distribution unit on the pass side(see pic toby posted 
) and see if there is a green wire that is loose/off or screwed up in any way. i've been thinking a friends 90 did that wehn the wire was holding on by 1 strand. i replaced the wire and it's been good ever since
) and see if there is a green wire that is loose/off or screwed up in any way. i've been thinking a friends 90 did that wehn the wire was holding on by 1 strand. i replaced the wire and it's been good ever since
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,578
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Cruiser’s Renix ECU Connector Refreshing
Many times when other fixes have failed, it becomes necessary to eliminate the ECU to harness connections as a cause. This requires removing the ECU.
Up under the dash, to the right of the steering column is the ECU. It is held in by three 10mm headed bolts to a bracket. It’s most easily removed using a ratcheting wrench but a socket will work.
Once you get the ECU down, unplug the two harness connectors from it. Visually inspect the connectors and pins.
Using a good quality electronics cleaner, liberally spray both of the harness ends and the ECU pin area.
Now, take a small pick or a dental tool and go to the harness connectors. Using the tool, tweak each female receptacle in the harness plugs so they will grasp the ECU pins more tightly.
Plug the harnesses back on to the ECU and reinstall it. I usually only use two of the bolts because the third is a bear.
Revised 07/11/12
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,578
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Real good chance the electrical connections are compromised from getting wet. That's why I'm suggesting all this connector cleaning. It's not necessarily a compoenet failure but could just be a connection. Easy to do these things. No money. Just time. Here's another one for ya:
Renix Jeep ICU/Coil contact refreshing
The contacts between the coil and the ICU on your Renix Jeep can become corroded and loose causing a complete or intermittent no-start condition. I recommend the following procedure as a maintenance precaution to insure this is eliminated as a possible cause now and in the future.
The coil is attached to the ICU by two T20 Torx bolts. Remove these two bolts and lift the coil up off the ICU. You will see 2 pins and 2 sets of contacts. Clean both the pins and springy contact pieces with a good electronics cleaner.
Squeeze the springy contacts closer together with some needlenose pliers. Apply some dielectric grease to the contacts and bolt the coil back on to the ICU.
While you’re right there unplug the connectors from the ICU and inspect the pins in the harness connector. Make sure the pins are not retracted into the connector. Spray out the connector and the receptacle of the ICU with the same good electronics cleaner you used earlier. Apply dielectric grease to the connectors and plug them back in.
I feel this procedure should be performed at least once in the lifetime of a Renix Jeep.
Revised 11-29-2011
Renix Jeep ICU/Coil contact refreshing
The contacts between the coil and the ICU on your Renix Jeep can become corroded and loose causing a complete or intermittent no-start condition. I recommend the following procedure as a maintenance precaution to insure this is eliminated as a possible cause now and in the future.
The coil is attached to the ICU by two T20 Torx bolts. Remove these two bolts and lift the coil up off the ICU. You will see 2 pins and 2 sets of contacts. Clean both the pins and springy contact pieces with a good electronics cleaner.
Squeeze the springy contacts closer together with some needlenose pliers. Apply some dielectric grease to the contacts and bolt the coil back on to the ICU.
While you’re right there unplug the connectors from the ICU and inspect the pins in the harness connector. Make sure the pins are not retracted into the connector. Spray out the connector and the receptacle of the ICU with the same good electronics cleaner you used earlier. Apply dielectric grease to the connectors and plug them back in.
I feel this procedure should be performed at least once in the lifetime of a Renix Jeep.
Revised 11-29-2011
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,578
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
See what is says in my signature? RCBRC. It's served me well for many years.
Here's a list of write-ups I've done focusing on primarily Renix Jeeps.
Revised 07-20-2012
* means instructions have been written.
1-Ground refreshing, adding engine bay grounds, link to Kelleys WIP*
1a-Improving the instrument panel ground*
2- Checking sensor grounds*
2a- Repairing sensor grounds*
3-C101 Connector Refreshing*
4-Connector and relay /receptacle refreshing*
5-Coil/ICM contacts*
6- Snugging up intake manifold bolts
7-Throttle body and IAC cleaning
8-TPS testing and adjusting*
9-CPS testing and adjusting*
10-CPS wiring bypass
11-ECU connector refreshing*
12-Distributor indexing*
13-O2 sensor diagnostics
14-Setting base idle
15-Valve cover mod*
16-Sensor ground upgrade*
17-CPS Timing Advance Mod*
18-Headlight Harness Installation*
19-Trans Plug Connector Refreshing*
20- Rear Main Seal Diagnosis*
21-Vacuum Test For Exhaust Restriction*
22-Restoring Throttle Butterfly Adjustment*
23-HO Engine into Renix*
Here's a list of write-ups I've done focusing on primarily Renix Jeeps.
Revised 07-20-2012
* means instructions have been written.
1-Ground refreshing, adding engine bay grounds, link to Kelleys WIP*
1a-Improving the instrument panel ground*
2- Checking sensor grounds*
2a- Repairing sensor grounds*
3-C101 Connector Refreshing*
4-Connector and relay /receptacle refreshing*
5-Coil/ICM contacts*
6- Snugging up intake manifold bolts
7-Throttle body and IAC cleaning
8-TPS testing and adjusting*
9-CPS testing and adjusting*
10-CPS wiring bypass
11-ECU connector refreshing*
12-Distributor indexing*
13-O2 sensor diagnostics
14-Setting base idle
15-Valve cover mod*
16-Sensor ground upgrade*
17-CPS Timing Advance Mod*
18-Headlight Harness Installation*
19-Trans Plug Connector Refreshing*
20- Rear Main Seal Diagnosis*
21-Vacuum Test For Exhaust Restriction*
22-Restoring Throttle Butterfly Adjustment*
23-HO Engine into Renix*
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,366
Likes: 0
From: Spanish Fork, Utah
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Renix 4.0L
Originally Posted by cruiser54
See what is says in my signature? RCBRC. It's served me well for many years.
Here's a list of write-ups I've done focusing on primarily Renix Jeeps.
Revised 07-20-2012
* means instructions have been written.
1-Ground refreshing, adding engine bay grounds, link to Kelleys WIP*
1a-Improving the instrument panel ground*
2- Checking sensor grounds*
2a- Repairing sensor grounds*
3-C101 Connector Refreshing*
4-Connector and relay /receptacle refreshing*
5-Coil/ICM contacts*
6- Snugging up intake manifold bolts
7-Throttle body and IAC cleaning
8-TPS testing and adjusting*
9-CPS testing and adjusting*
10-CPS wiring bypass
11-ECU connector refreshing*
12-Distributor indexing*
13-O2 sensor diagnostics
14-Setting base idle
15-Valve cover mod*
16-Sensor ground upgrade*
17-CPS Timing Advance Mod*
18-Headlight Harness Installation*
19-Trans Plug Connector Refreshing*
20- Rear Main Seal Diagnosis*
21-Vacuum Test For Exhaust Restriction*
22-Restoring Throttle Butterfly Adjustment*
23-HO Engine into Renix*
Here's a list of write-ups I've done focusing on primarily Renix Jeeps.
Revised 07-20-2012
* means instructions have been written.
1-Ground refreshing, adding engine bay grounds, link to Kelleys WIP*
1a-Improving the instrument panel ground*
2- Checking sensor grounds*
2a- Repairing sensor grounds*
3-C101 Connector Refreshing*
4-Connector and relay /receptacle refreshing*
5-Coil/ICM contacts*
6- Snugging up intake manifold bolts
7-Throttle body and IAC cleaning
8-TPS testing and adjusting*
9-CPS testing and adjusting*
10-CPS wiring bypass
11-ECU connector refreshing*
12-Distributor indexing*
13-O2 sensor diagnostics
14-Setting base idle
15-Valve cover mod*
16-Sensor ground upgrade*
17-CPS Timing Advance Mod*
18-Headlight Harness Installation*
19-Trans Plug Connector Refreshing*
20- Rear Main Seal Diagnosis*
21-Vacuum Test For Exhaust Restriction*
22-Restoring Throttle Butterfly Adjustment*
23-HO Engine into Renix*
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 1
From: SLC, UT
Year: 1989 2 door
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
See what is says in my signature? RCBRC. It's served me well for many years.
Here's a list of write-ups I've done focusing on primarily Renix Jeeps.
Revised 07-20-2012
* means instructions have been written.
1-Ground refreshing, adding engine bay grounds, link to Kelleys WIP*
1a-Improving the instrument panel ground*
2- Checking sensor grounds*
2a- Repairing sensor grounds*
3-C101 Connector Refreshing*
4-Connector and relay /receptacle refreshing*
5-Coil/ICM contacts*
6- Snugging up intake manifold bolts
7-Throttle body and IAC cleaning
8-TPS testing and adjusting*
9-CPS testing and adjusting*
10-CPS wiring bypass
11-ECU connector refreshing*
12-Distributor indexing*
13-O2 sensor diagnostics
14-Setting base idle
15-Valve cover mod*
16-Sensor ground upgrade*
17-CPS Timing Advance Mod*
18-Headlight Harness Installation*
19-Trans Plug Connector Refreshing*
20- Rear Main Seal Diagnosis*
21-Vacuum Test For Exhaust Restriction*
22-Restoring Throttle Butterfly Adjustment*
23-HO Engine into Renix*
Here's a list of write-ups I've done focusing on primarily Renix Jeeps.
Revised 07-20-2012
* means instructions have been written.
1-Ground refreshing, adding engine bay grounds, link to Kelleys WIP*
1a-Improving the instrument panel ground*
2- Checking sensor grounds*
2a- Repairing sensor grounds*
3-C101 Connector Refreshing*
4-Connector and relay /receptacle refreshing*
5-Coil/ICM contacts*
6- Snugging up intake manifold bolts
7-Throttle body and IAC cleaning
8-TPS testing and adjusting*
9-CPS testing and adjusting*
10-CPS wiring bypass
11-ECU connector refreshing*
12-Distributor indexing*
13-O2 sensor diagnostics
14-Setting base idle
15-Valve cover mod*
16-Sensor ground upgrade*
17-CPS Timing Advance Mod*
18-Headlight Harness Installation*
19-Trans Plug Connector Refreshing*
20- Rear Main Seal Diagnosis*
21-Vacuum Test For Exhaust Restriction*
22-Restoring Throttle Butterfly Adjustment*
23-HO Engine into Renix*
You have entirely to much time on your hands!
Tristin\/\/\/
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,578
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Banned
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,059
Likes: 0
From: Price ut
Year: 91
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by cruiser54
I've had since 1980 to accumulate this info as I was Service Manager and Shop Foreman at a Jeep dealer for 13 years.
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 1
From: SLC, UT
Year: 1989 2 door
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
You were looking for a pat on the back, so I figured I'd kick ya down one!
Banned
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,059
Likes: 0
From: Price ut
Year: 91
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by dev_daddy
Anytime before 3pm
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,366
Likes: 0
From: Spanish Fork, Utah
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Renix 4.0L
Originally Posted by Tobyxj
Ok it will have to be on Monday if that will work or if you are filling froggy I'll meet you at the summit on my way to strawberry