So I have a 1997 grand Cherokee that will randomly die

Some days it will have no problems at all
Others it will die 6 times in a row

Im almost positive it is something in the ignition because of how quick it will die
( it's at about 1000 rmp or so then will eather back fire once and die or will stutter and got Down to 500 rpm to 200 then dead All In a matter of a few seconds

But how ever I've. Hanged everything for the ignition
( coil, wire , distributor , plugs ...)
I can't remember were I read it but it said it may be cause by a bad crank position sensor but that does t sound right to me

It's my first fully computer controlled jeep
( my other is a Cherokee renix motor )
And I was hoping you grand fellers would help me out

Btw 4.0L motor about 240xxx miles
I keep it clean only 98 gas and sea foam every 5 th tank

 

Have you looked to see if there is a fuel pump relay? I have a 99 WJ so I'm not terribly familiar with the 97. My dad had a 97 suburban with the exact same problem. Turns out the fuel pump relay had a short in it. I would say that or the fuel pump itself. Doesn't sound like an ignition issue seeing as how it actually starts. Hope that helps.

 

It could be either the Cam Position Sensor in the distributor, or the Crank Position Sensor. This shows how to test the Crank position Sensor:

 

This is kind of obvious but check your battery connections and your battery. My buddy's Tahoe had the same issue and it was due to the battery terminals coming loose and loosing connection.

Could also be a fuel pump issue, ignition, maybe a crankshaft position sensor.

 

Another common issue in the 96-98 ZJ is the PCM and it's connectors.
With the engine running push on the face of the PCM and also try giving it a whack on the side with a block of wood or a screw driver handle and see if it causes a stall or stumble. Also with engine running try wiggling wires and connectors to the PCM again watching for a stall or stumble.

 

That use to happen in my 93 zj. I replaced everything near the throttle body, all ignition components, turned out it was connections at the pcm. I some the ******

 

I went and replaced the crank position sender and it hasn't don't it in a few day
Seems to have fixed it but it's still a bit rough at idle sometimes , but that's a different problem
Thanks for the help guys

 

PCM???? is that the black box on the firewall directly in front of the passengers place???

i have a 97 laredo,4.0,190k that i just had rebuilt due to a knock. ended up being lifters and piston 3 broke apart. however, before i tore it apart, it would run and then try to cut out and just die... wouldnt start, but if i got out, popped the hood, and wiggled said box(engine computer??) then it would fire right up.. im wandering if this is the same problem......????

i know the ecm was replaced before by a dealer... idk if its a loose connection or what

 

That's it, powertrain control module

 

Alright well the random dieing has stopped as far as I can tell but yesterday it was sputtering randomly
Is there anyway to test if it is the PCM before getting it
Because I'm getting a little tired of chasing down a new problem every other week

 

First check the connector for the PCM and the wires there for any looseness. With the engine running, try wiggling/moving around the connector and the individual wires. I believe one of them is the ground wire. Sometimes the wires can back out of the connector.
Also, with the engine off, check the insides of the connector for rust/moisture.

 

Problem found
It was a wire poorly connected
And by poorly I mean there was glue and duck tape holding it on

Now with proper heat shrink and a good connection its running like a stabbed rat

Thanks everyone for the help

 

Good to hear!

 

X2.

 

Glad you got it going. My '97 seems to be doing the same thing.
What wire was it and was it something that had been repaired previously or a factory connection?