Grand Cherokee Ask the Question Thread
#871
Old fart with a wrench
Kimberly, you may have more than one thing going on here. I suspect the transmission fluid level may be low causing the delay and then the lurch. The change in idle speed could be caused by a vacuum leak, but I'm just guessing at that. Does it idle smooth and stable if you slip it into neutral? If not, take your foot off the brake in neutral. I'm thinking a vacuum leak in the brake booster. Check the transmission fluid level in NEUTRAL. It makes a difference. Use only ATF+4 fluid. How does the transmission fluid look and smell? If it's black and smells burnt, that's a sign of problems. Also someone may have used the wrong fluid in it.
As far as the "lifters" are concerned, the straight 6 engine is known for lifter rattle at idle and it's nothing to be concerned about. They all do it to some degree.
Do some research and get back to us. I've been spending a lot of time in the Cherokee section because I just bought one, but I'll start checking back here again as well. You probably should post this as a regular thread so it doesn't get lost amongst other posts.
As far as the "lifters" are concerned, the straight 6 engine is known for lifter rattle at idle and it's nothing to be concerned about. They all do it to some degree.
Do some research and get back to us. I've been spending a lot of time in the Cherokee section because I just bought one, but I'll start checking back here again as well. You probably should post this as a regular thread so it doesn't get lost amongst other posts.
Last edited by dave1123; 10-23-2018 at 09:39 PM.
#872
Newbie
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
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Year: 1998
Model: Grand Cherokee (ZJ)
Engine: 6 cylinder?
Kimberly, you may have more than one thing going on here. I suspect the transmission fluid level may be low causing the delay and then the lurch. The change in idle speed could be caused by a vacuum leak, but I'm just guessing at that. Does it idle smooth and stable if you slip it into neutral? If not, take your foot off the brake in neutral. I'm thinking a vacuum leak in the brake booster. Check the transmission fluid level in NEUTRAL. It makes a difference. Use only ATF+4 fluid. How does the transmission fluid look and smell? If it's black and smells burnt, that's a sign of problems. Also someone may have used the wrong fluid in it.
As far as the "lifters" are concerned, the straight 6 engine is known for lifter rattle at idle and it's nothing to be concerned about. They all do it to some degree.
Do some research and get back to us. I've been spending a lot of time in the Cherokee section because I just bought one, but I'll start checking back here again as well. You probably should post this as a regular thread so it doesn't get lost amongst other posts.
As far as the "lifters" are concerned, the straight 6 engine is known for lifter rattle at idle and it's nothing to be concerned about. They all do it to some degree.
Do some research and get back to us. I've been spending a lot of time in the Cherokee section because I just bought one, but I'll start checking back here again as well. You probably should post this as a regular thread so it doesn't get lost amongst other posts.
#873
Newbie
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Grand Cherokee (ZJ)
Engine: 6 cylinder?
Kimberly, you may have more than one thing going on here. I suspect the transmission fluid level may be low causing the delay and then the lurch. The change in idle speed could be caused by a vacuum leak, but I'm just guessing at that. Does it idle smooth and stable if you slip it into neutral? If not, take your foot off the brake in neutral. I'm thinking a vacuum leak in the brake booster. Check the transmission fluid level in NEUTRAL. It makes a difference. Use only ATF+4 fluid. How does the transmission fluid look and smell? If it's black and smells burnt, that's a sign of problems. Also someone may have used the wrong fluid in it.
As far as the "lifters" are concerned, the straight 6 engine is known for lifter rattle at idle and it's nothing to be concerned about. They all do it to some degree.
Do some research and get back to us. I've been spending a lot of time in the Cherokee section because I just bought one, but I'll start checking back here again as well. You probably should post this as a regular thread so it doesn't get lost amongst other posts.
As far as the "lifters" are concerned, the straight 6 engine is known for lifter rattle at idle and it's nothing to be concerned about. They all do it to some degree.
Do some research and get back to us. I've been spending a lot of time in the Cherokee section because I just bought one, but I'll start checking back here again as well. You probably should post this as a regular thread so it doesn't get lost amongst other posts.
#874
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Calgary, AB
Posts: 622
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7 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Grand Cherokee (ZJ)
Engine: 5.2
From the sounds of it you need to find a respected shop in your area and take it in. If your not mechanically capable you will be running yourself in circles.
#875
Newbie
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
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Year: 1998
Model: Grand Cherokee (ZJ)
Engine: 6 cylinder?
I know.,.its a money thing so I’m trying to learn to be mechanical. I’ve already put at least $400 into it along with the price I bought it for.
#877
Old fart with a wrench
Just for jollies, try shifting to neutral and trying to start it. It could be the neutral safety switch. If that doesn't work, try wiggling the shifter back and forth slightly while holding the key in the start position.
#879
Beach Bum
http://www.wkjeeps.com/interior_trim.htm#QUARTER
#881
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: west chester, pa
Posts: 19,216
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35 Posts
Year: 1999
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by Zack Schenk
why the hell do they put foam inside the Rockers when it rots them out
Foam i dug out
Foam i dug out
#883
WJ to ZJ front ends
98ZJ with no frame damage has to have fenders and hood replaced. I can get my hands on parts from a 99WJ. Would the inner fender well of the 99 match up with the outer fenders of a 98ZJ?