so i have searched and searched and have not found anything similar to my problem. So my jeep has been stuttering in reverse and when i put it in 4 low to flex it out today it died as soon as i put it in reverse. Then tonight on the way home from work it completely died on me while i was driving. It starts right back up no problem. I am totally stumped on this. The jeep is a 1990 jeep cherokee with the 4.0 in it and an automatic transmission.

 

Check your CPS output.

Rare, but I've seen/heard of it before. The bell housing bolts to engine are loose or missing. The 2 move and the CPS moves away from the flywheel and the engine dies.
Renix CPS Testing and Adjusting
　
　

Renix CPSs have to put out a strong enough signal to the ECU so that it will provide spark.

Most tests for the CPS suggest checking it for an ohms value. This is unreliable and can cause some wasted time and aggravation in your diagnosis of a no-start issue as the CPS will test good when in fact it is bad.

The problem with the ohms test is you can have the correct amount of resistance through the CPS but it isn’t generating enough voltage to trigger the ECU to provide spark.

Unplug the harness connector from the CPS. Using your voltmeter set on AC volts and probing both wires in the connector going to the CPS, crank the engine over. It won’t start with the CPS disconnected.

You should get a reading of .5 AC volts.

If you are down in the .35 AC volts range or lower on your meter reading, you can have intermittent crank/no-start conditions from your Renix Jeep. Some NEW CPSs (from the big box parts stores) have registered only .2 AC volts while reading the proper resistance!! That’s a definite no-start condition. Best to buy your CPS from Napa or the dealer.

Sometimes on a manual transmission equipped Renix Jeep there is an accumulation of debris on the tip of the CPS. It’s worn off clutch material and since the CPS is a magnet, the metal sticks to the tip of the CPS causing a reduced voltage signal. You MAY get by with cleaning the tip of the CPS off.

A little trick for increasing the output of your CPS is to drill out the upper mounting hole to 3/8" from the stock 5/16", or slot it so the CPS bracket rests on the bell housing when pushed down. Then, when mounting it, hold the CPS down as close to the flywheel as you can while tightening the bolts.



　

　

Revised 01-26-2013

 

okay thanks cruiser i will test that and let you know how it goes. i should have added that this all started with an intermittent no start issue (all i had to do to get it to start was wiggle the battery cable and it would start right up) But i will test this and let you know