So about 2 months ago my car died on me while i was 4 wheeling up a local trail. i got it to the bottom and it died again, wouldn't start back up. Towed it home and spent over a month working on it myself trying to fix it. couldn't figure it out.

so i took it to a shop, they had it for a week then told me when i replaced the fuel pump i did it wrong. They fixed it and i got it back. 3 hours later it died again. i got it to start then took it back. They started testing again and found out i had an extra wiring harness connected to my crank case sensor. the guy at the shop said because it wasn't an OEM piece he wouldnt mess with it. then he told me i also have 2 holes in my radiator (no idea how they got there)

SO... I have my jeep at my house, has intermittent stalling because of this wiring harness. need new radiator, and current engine has over 200k on it.
-My dad has an idea that we should strip it down and rebuild the entire thing how we want.
-My idea is get something else stock and running. then go from there.

any suggestions or other ideas?

 

I like your dads idea.

 

I would go with your dad's plan. My first vehicle, '85 S-10 Blazer, had a blown motor when I bought it but rebuilding it with my dad was one of the best things I've done with him.

 

sounds like a good project, and priceless memories with pops...his idea

 

Dad is always right. Well unless hes drunk. lol
If you tear the jeep down and fix it up you lose nothing. Your problem could be a simple fix. You may find it as you start the journey of re building your beast. Have fun. Is your dad paying for it?

 

The only real problem I see is the wiring... everything else on these is simple, even an engine rebuild.

 

True, but a boneyard wire harness could be a simple fix too.

 

indeed, didn't mean to imply it's super complicated, just that it's the most complicated part of these simple vehicles, lol.

 

By "car" , you mean your 87 XJ

How did it run prior to two months ago?

I say keep at it, it's probably something simple.

Post up more details so we can help.

also, any decent radiator shop will patch yours for 20 bucks.

 

yes, by car i mean my 87 XJ. before 2 months ago it was running with out too much trouble. some minor problems but all easy fixes

 

Listen to your dad. I spent two weeks redoing the front end of my XJ with my Dad. We don't get a chance to do much else together and it was a blast learning from him. I'm tempted to find a beater just to have an excuse to fix it up and spend more time with him.

It may sound like a PITA now, but it could end up being one of those things you regret too, ya know?

Take advantage now while you can.

 

Cats in the craddle and the silver spoon...

 

What is a crank case sensor? Are you referring to an oil level sensor?

If so that wouldn't cause your issue. It just turns on a light.

Where would an "extra" harness come from and why?

2 and 2 are adding up to 3 here . . .

 

sorry, crank POSITION sensor. and i have no idea what the extra harness was. but the shop said it wasnt stock and because it wasnt they wouldnt touch it.

 

Sounds like an easy way out of a mis-diagnosis on their part.