Is your Check Engine light on when it's running? My 92 would NOT idle or run for more than 10 seconds and was throwing Check Engine lights and the electric fan would stay running.

It was my temp sender located in the thermostat housing. I replaced it and my XJ was back to it's normal self.

Just tossing that out there I suppose. It really messed with my 4.0.

 

from wat ive noticed the very few times it will actually idle i have not seen any check engine lights but i will check into that thanks

 

i was just curious to anyone who may still be reading this and i apologize if its stupid
but should i be able to start it while in neutral? cuz i attempted this today and got absolutely nothing the starter didn't even try

 

you SHOULD be able to.

 

Yes, jiggle the lever while u turn the key, it's the NSS.

 

so i tried it again using your advice and i got absolutely nothing while in neutral when i turned the key nothing at all happened could this be related to it not idling?...i'm trying to avoid having to take it to the shop but at this point it seems like this jeeps just way beyond my 17 year old knowledge

 

can you still start it in park? And did you ever replace CPS?

 

yes the little starting it actually does i can do in park
and no i have not tried replacing that yet as i mentioned im extremely new to this and by no means a mechanic so i was hoping it was something simple that i may have overlooked

 

Then it very well could be the NSS... pull it out and clean it to see if that helps

 

If thats not the problem though, it really sounds like CPS. When they have gone out on me, my jeep would still run, but HORRIBLY, and would die randomly.

 

thanks for your help
im gonna look into the NSS and just hope its something like that im sure if its not tho ill be right back here asking for help again haha

 

No panic my friend, if the engine doesn't even crank it's not the CPS (crankshaft position sensor), what the cps does when not working it cuts the current to the spark plugs, but the starter will still turn.
If it doesn't crank in N it is the NSS (neutral safety switch), this device is located in the transmission and has the function to not let you crank or start the engine unless it's in P or N.
Leave that for just now it is not so important, it cranks in P.
Let's get the engine running fine, what news about?

 

ok so as of now this is what it will do
when i go to start it it takes a little bit and it catches a couple times but will finally catch after about 2 to 3 seconds turning the key
once it starts itll rev up to a little over 1k then just start to drop once it gets below 1k when u give it gas it just kills it but if its over 1k on its own u can keep it running for a little bit by giving it gas
even then it will eventually fall down to where its barely running and shakes really bad and if it doesn't kill itself by this point i usually turn it off for fear of the shaking breaking something

so yea kinda long but thats pretty much exactly what its doing now

o and i forgot i actually did look when i was able to keep it going and their are no check engine lights so im pretty clueless at this point i appreciate everyones help but im getting REALLY anxious to drive it so i might end up taking it to a shop soon haha

 

It's the fuel pressure, i think it's too low. Probably the pump.
U need to measure it with a pressure gauge that can be attached to the rail where the little cap is.
I don't remember if your year has the vacuum pressure regulator at the front end of the rail, if it has, unplug the vacuum line.
Should run a little better.

 

Have you replaced the Fuel Filter? It right in front of the Gas Tank and will only take about 5 mins to change it. My 92 XJ did the same thing. I haven't had a problem since I replaced it.