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cherokee common problems
#16
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Rhode Island
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
#17
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Year: 94/00
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Electronic Quirks
I can't believe no one mentioned the electronics. I have 2 jeeps, the headlights on the 94 randomly turn off, not that they were ever bright to begin with. on the 00 my speakers only work when the driver door is open. Perfect for tailgating, hahaha Currently the driver side auto lock/window wiring harness is shot, and of coarse a window is stuck down in the middle of winter. I love em though, they've nickle and dimed me but no major issues as far as cost goes. Except the additions, lifts n stuff. Easy to work on.
Back to your problem though. My 94 would randomly not start for days at a time, then be fine for months. A wireing harness in the steering column had gone bad causing the ignition not to connect. Sometimes it would turn off while driving, also causes the headlights to randomly turn off. All this was fixed with a $15 harness, and a wiring diagram. But not till I had already replaced the starter, battery, alternator, ignition, and a few other things.
Back to your problem though. My 94 would randomly not start for days at a time, then be fine for months. A wireing harness in the steering column had gone bad causing the ignition not to connect. Sometimes it would turn off while driving, also causes the headlights to randomly turn off. All this was fixed with a $15 harness, and a wiring diagram. But not till I had already replaced the starter, battery, alternator, ignition, and a few other things.
#20
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Location: Olympia, WA
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Year: 90
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
1st and second gear synchros are pretty notorious for wearing out quick on older 5 speeds. The stock radiators just plain suck. There aren't a lot of really major things that go wrong, its a solid engine and drive train for the most part. But just like any vehicle, there are always the nightmare ones that got thrown together on friday in detroit at 5 o'clock when everyone wants to go home and drink beer...
#22
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Location: springfield ,oregon
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Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 h.o.
response to common cherokee problems
Overheating problems...overheating problems...did i mention overheating problems? lots of threads on this site confirm this.
Engine noises...piston slap...lifter/rocker noises...i could go on.
Even though cherokees have their problems ,i wont give mine up!
Engine noises...piston slap...lifter/rocker noises...i could go on.
Even though cherokees have their problems ,i wont give mine up!
#23
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Location: Chicago
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Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Could be worse like my 02 sport trac, three transmissions under powertrain warranty, thermostat housing exploded (plastic), front hubs twice on pass. side three on drivers, both lower ball joints, both upper control arms, and timing chain tensioner, 5k out of warranty. All in 80k miles
#24
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Location: Apple Valley CA
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Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6 EFI "Power Tech"
well if u got a new battery and when u turn the key and it sounds like a dead battery, (for example clicking or just one click) try replacing the cables, one day my jeep stoped starting, bought new started and batery and bunch of other stuff, and than for the hell of it i bought new neg and pos cables and fired right up (than i was glad i got the new starter it turns over x2 faster )
#25
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Location: Highland California
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Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I found out it was the alternator lol so should be an easy fix Im looking to see which alt I want to put on any suggestions?
#26
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Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6 EFI "Power Tech"
ya electrical sucks on jeeps all my external lights died spend 2 months trying to figure it out and it was a fusible link next to the battery.... and the light switch seams to always fry on mine, revurse lights none existent. back window fell off my hatch one beautiful morning. luckly didnt break so was able to put it back in but it ripped off the defrosters connection so foggy rear window in winter , fuel pump on my 4th, the vacuum front axle vacuum lines break so rigged it so its always locked. gas gauge kinda doesn't read right, none of the dummy lights work. the list goes on and on. but id never get rid of my jeep
#29
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Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 straight 6
I think pre '91 might use a different alternator cuz its the Renix engine, but from 91-96 its same.... but I'm not entirely sure. GUYS??