I just bought a 97 2wd auto Cherokee with 158k miles. The previous owner stated that the head gasket was blown. It does start up and seems to idle fine. I drove it up on a trailer to bring it home and have unloaded it, but that is all I have driven it. The check engine light is on steady and the codes I have pulled are 31 and 43. Now he did tell me that the ac works, but it only blows thru the top and bottom. I have searched this here on the forum and found that that might be just a vacuum leak. I want to buy a repair manual and want to know if the Haynes or Chilton would be OK, or should I buy a factory service manual? I bought this knowing that it might have a head gasket problem, because it was going to be something that I could piddle with.

 

You'll need a factory service manual, not one of those Haynes or Chilton rags.

Go to Pacific Coast Manuals and download a pdf manual for your '97. only $7.95.


http://www.pacificcoastmanuals.com/j...e_manuals.html

 

31 is a cruise control fault and 43 is a multiple misfire issue.

 

Thank you CCKen. I was leaning towards a Factory manual. I am gonna be doing a compression test to see if it indeed has a bad head gasket. I am also going to change the plugs, wires, cap and rotor. I want to zero that out and go from there.
Thanks again!!!

 

I'll second the motion to save your money. Chilton and Haynes often have simply WRONG information in them, or they are missing the very part you need. They are far more frustration than help.

 

I have a 97 XJ as well, and i agree the factory service manuals are way better than Haynes. There are a couple factory service manuals, actually.

1997 Service Manual (2wd and 4wd, exterior and interior, wiring diagrams, etc.)
1997 Powertrain Diagnostics Procedures - AW4 Transmission (electrical troubleshooting)
1997 Powertrain Diagnostic Procedures - 2.5L and 4.0L (electrical troubleshooting)
1997 Body Diagnostic Procedures (PCM and CCD Bus)
1997 Chassis Diagnostic procedures (Antilock Brake System)


I bought hard copies of all but the last one as i do not have ABS, but the rest are definite must haves. You can do the CD or PDF versions if you like, just make sure your computer meets the minimum requirements to use them. If you go for the hard copies, the regular Cherokee will have XJ on the spine.

 

I did the download as CCKen suggested. I will probably get a hard copy also. Update on the codes 31 and 43. I changed the plugs, wires, cap and rotor. The plugs I took out had such a big gap, anywhere from .065 to .085, that's probably where the misfires were happening. I also changed the thermostat. I tested the one I took out, by putting it in a pan of water on the stove. It started to open up at 204* and was barely open when the water started to boil. I cleared all of the codes and started it up. The only code so far is #12 and that was expected. Thanks for the replies, I know I'll have more questions later.

 

Thanks for the follow up!