1994 XJ Engine Stalls when I slow to a stop (at idle)
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1994 XJ Engine Stalls when I slow to a stop (at idle)
Hello All,
I purchased a '94 XJ a couple of months ago and I've been having some problems recently.
When I was driving around town last week, I rounded a corner, and my engine cut out. It cut out so smoothly that I didn't even notice until I went to put in some more gas. It started right back up, so I drove it to a shop nearby and they told me that the issue was spark plugs, ignition wires, and my distributor cap and rotor. I thanked, and paid, them for the diagnosis and then replaced all of those parts myself, but the problem persisted.
Often, when I take my foot off of the gas at a complete stop the engine stalls and cuts out. It seems to be a problem with my idle. If I put it in neutral and rev it to about 1300 RPM, the engine will stay running smoothly, but when I let my foot off the gas it will stall/cut out. When it dies, there is no sputter or weird noise, it just cuts out very smoothly. This makes me think that it would not be a fuel issue. This usually happens once the engine is warm, but has happened before when it is cold. From reading all the posts on here that I could find, I see some common causes of a similar issue: crank position sensor, dirty throttle body/IAC, throttle positioning sensor, MAP sensor, or a bad battery/related wiring.
I bought a CPS from O'Riley before I found out that they aren't the best, and can sometimes even be bad out of the box. Then, I test drove around my block for about 20 minutes, fully stopping and accelerating, and it seemed fine. Until I drove it the next day and it cut out right as I came to the first stop sign in my neighborhood. Could the new CPS be bad out of the box?
Then, I read that a dirty IAC/throttle body could cause problems like this, so I cleaned it out. This gave the same impression of working during my test drive until I drove away the next morning and it cut out at the stoplight.
Today, I tested my throttle position sensor with a multimeter and found that it spread from 0.78, with the throttle closed, to 3.54, with the throttle all the way open. I couldn't find the correct voltage, so this may be the cause but I'm not sure.
I'm trying to diagnose the problem without just throwing parts at it, but I'm having a hard time figuring out what to do next. I tried to include as much information as I have, to help with the diagnosis. There is no check engine light, but I haven't scanned for codes because I don't have an OBD I scanner.
I appreciate any help or advice you guys have!
I purchased a '94 XJ a couple of months ago and I've been having some problems recently.
When I was driving around town last week, I rounded a corner, and my engine cut out. It cut out so smoothly that I didn't even notice until I went to put in some more gas. It started right back up, so I drove it to a shop nearby and they told me that the issue was spark plugs, ignition wires, and my distributor cap and rotor. I thanked, and paid, them for the diagnosis and then replaced all of those parts myself, but the problem persisted.
Often, when I take my foot off of the gas at a complete stop the engine stalls and cuts out. It seems to be a problem with my idle. If I put it in neutral and rev it to about 1300 RPM, the engine will stay running smoothly, but when I let my foot off the gas it will stall/cut out. When it dies, there is no sputter or weird noise, it just cuts out very smoothly. This makes me think that it would not be a fuel issue. This usually happens once the engine is warm, but has happened before when it is cold. From reading all the posts on here that I could find, I see some common causes of a similar issue: crank position sensor, dirty throttle body/IAC, throttle positioning sensor, MAP sensor, or a bad battery/related wiring.
I bought a CPS from O'Riley before I found out that they aren't the best, and can sometimes even be bad out of the box. Then, I test drove around my block for about 20 minutes, fully stopping and accelerating, and it seemed fine. Until I drove it the next day and it cut out right as I came to the first stop sign in my neighborhood. Could the new CPS be bad out of the box?
Then, I read that a dirty IAC/throttle body could cause problems like this, so I cleaned it out. This gave the same impression of working during my test drive until I drove away the next morning and it cut out at the stoplight.
Today, I tested my throttle position sensor with a multimeter and found that it spread from 0.78, with the throttle closed, to 3.54, with the throttle all the way open. I couldn't find the correct voltage, so this may be the cause but I'm not sure.
I'm trying to diagnose the problem without just throwing parts at it, but I'm having a hard time figuring out what to do next. I tried to include as much information as I have, to help with the diagnosis. There is no check engine light, but I haven't scanned for codes because I don't have an OBD I scanner.
I appreciate any help or advice you guys have!
#2
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Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Make sure your intake manifold bolts haven't loosened up. Put a wrench or socket on every one of them. Easiest if you remove the air box.
Have you ever cleaned your throttle body and IAC?
Have you ever cleaned your throttle body and IAC?
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Hey Cruiser54, I did clean the throttle body and IAC. I did the key on off trick and got the codes: 11, 12, 24, 54, 55
from what I see:
11 No ignition reference signal detected during cranking OR timing belt skipped one or more teeth; OR loss of either camshaft or crankshaft position sensor.
24 Throttle position sensor over 4.96V
54 camshaft sensor/distributor timing
Do you have any ideas about what I could try first? I have already replaced my crankshaft position sensor. I will tighten the intake manifold bolts.
from what I see:
11 No ignition reference signal detected during cranking OR timing belt skipped one or more teeth; OR loss of either camshaft or crankshaft position sensor.
24 Throttle position sensor over 4.96V
54 camshaft sensor/distributor timing
Do you have any ideas about what I could try first? I have already replaced my crankshaft position sensor. I will tighten the intake manifold bolts.
#4
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Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Those codes are pointing to cam sensor in the distributor.
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