Hey all,

I am working on my 1996 Xj 4.0. I ordered a Mopar distributor pickup from a Chrysler dealer.

they sent me part #1 53009077 that doesn’t have a plate.

The one I have is on a round plate

Are there 2 different styles for a 1996. I see pics of both types listed online.

I can’t see how the the type without the plate would mount on my distributor.

not sure if it matters, but my xj is a 9/95 production date

thanks,
Joe W

 

You need the plate style. Obviously. The part they gave you wont work in any way shape or form. Should be a part # on your old one.

 

I thought so. I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing something before I called them.

thanks,

Joe

 

Ok, just talked to the dealer again.

it turns out there were 3 different style pickups available.

The type they sent and 2 with the plate. One of the plates is metal with 2 connectors, the one I have is a plastic plate with 3 connectors.

fwiw, if you have the one in the photo. It is now discontinued by Chrysler. There are still a few on dealership shelves like the one I found.
So hurry if you want a factory pickup of that style.

It cost me $77.00.

unfortunately the one I need is $111.00, but Chrysler still makes those.

thanks,
Joe W

 

Here is what I do know from having owned a '96.
They came with 2 distributors. When purchasing a rotor and cap you need to know which one.
If it is still there you will find a white label with a 8 digit number on it that tells you which one.
Thinking that part would be the same and you need to know which distributor.

 

Hmm, I just ordered some rando off rockauto, maybe I got lucky

 

Yeah guess you did. Now I don't know if this is the same for the part the OP is talking about but I do know it matters for the cap and rotor.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/search...=nol-veh-conds

 

Hey Ralph77,

the dealer had 3 different distributors listed for the 96. All with different pickups.

not sure on the dist caps.

The tag for mine is long gone.
He was able to figure it out by looking at the different pics he had.

just proves once again that nothing is easy.

thanks,
Joe W

 

So it is that way with the pickup too huh?
I was just guessing that it would matter cause of needing to know which distributor for the cap and rotor.

And to anybody who has lost their white label. It is still easy to tell by using the rotor you have.
One has smaller hole:

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/ECHF...ndex=Universal

One has a bigger hole:

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/ECHM...ndex=Universal

And if you know what rotor the counter guy can give you the right cap.

 

Ralph77,

looked at the pics you linked to.

Now I know my distributor number.

thanks

 

FYI the one you have is the cam position sensor, not the distributor pickup. They call it the distributor switchplate, tho. 77$ is mucho quid for one. I found one at the junkyard 5 years ago still works fine. In fact my original one still would work if not broke in half. Distributor pickups were on the old GM systems and the only pickup. Our jeeps also have a crank position sensor which indexes the ignition pickup.

 

hello 97grand,

I see it called by both names. FWIW, On the Mopar box it is labeled pickup.
It doesn’t really matter to me as long as the person I’m talking to is thinking the same thing.

$ 5.00 sure beats $77.00.
I wanted a new factory Mopar part. The correct one for my 96 is even worse at $111.00

there is a newer aftermarket one in there now. It’s working, but I don’t trust the cheap ones

I’m familiar with the crank sensor.

thanks,
Joe

 

Hahahaha, you said rando. I thought rando (slang for random girl) was a term for someone you picked up from the bar and took home that night. "yeah I brought home some rando last night"

 

The dealer should of been able to use the VIN to determine the right distributor.
My original distributor had to be replaced because of a failed bearing. I went with an aftermarket for less than $100 that came complete and have not had a problem.

 

I don't think Rockauto sells those...