Jeep is a 1998 XJ Automatic

ok, first off my Jeep is in the country of Panama so no auto zones or any places like that. Got a few jeep shops but nothing like your used to here in the USA.

Now for the last year my check engine light has been on and when the Jeep idles it sometimes revs on its own and sometimes quite high. This problem has gotten worse over time.

Not sure if related but thought I would provide info anyway when you start the Jeep it always takes 2 cranks to start never starts on 1st and when moving sometimes bogs down for a few seconds or so and does not accelerate only to eventually kick in and go.

Another thing is reverse recently went out on the Jeep and a few over heating issues.

NOW that you know the issues my question is I have taken it to get looked at and they all say I need a new computer? Not sure if this is the case or not but they seem to think it could be causing the rev issues when sitting still.

Since I have several problems I am looking to upgrade this Jeep as I go and make it more fun with aftermarket parts... no need to replace with the same boring OEM thats why I was not sure if this forum or the other would be the best place to post.

Do you think I need a new computer? If so can I go aftermarket with that or better to stick to OEM?

I plan on getting a new cooling system (once i figure out whats best) and of course need to fix the tranny since reverse is completely out.

My question for the reverse is would it be best to buy this
Super Rebuild Kit, Aw4 Automatic Transmission

There are no parts in Panama so I got to bring them back and was thinking of bring this back and hoping that solved my tranny issues. Not sure if there is abetter option for this or even a improved tranny option. Wish I could get a 5 speed in it but switching from Auto to 5 speed is complicated I suspect.

Bottom line is I want the Jeep to run correctly and eventualy run and perform even better then stock...have no idea if the advice I am getting in Panama is correct. Any help or thoughts would be great.

 

hey man. sucks about the lack of parts stores and garages... when you brought it to the garage, what did they say the code reader said about your CEL?

 

To be honest I do not think they have a code reader. Anything I can do to read it myself or get around that?

Everything more complicated in that part of the world when it comes to american cars.

 

I have considered getting this engine

http://www.golenengineservice.com/en...ep-long-block/

For a while.... I wonder if its time with these issues or if I should still hold off.

 

i would check the iac before anything else.

 

ok the idle air control valve. Clean it or replace it you think thats causing the rev problems?

 

Try clean it first.
Also look for broken vacumlines. False air would also cause it.

 

Being a newb not sure what to check to see broken vacuum lines but I will google it and see what I can find. Thanks for the help.

 

pop the hood, start her up and listen for air being sucked in. i dont know the english word for it. ( im from denmark ) and then take a feeling on the vacumlines, look at them to see if they are cracked and all in place. if they are all good, stop the engine and remove the aic and clean it, together with the throttlebody. maybee there is a build up of carboon.

 

Thanks so much trying all this in th enext few day

 

Do your reverse lights work? Could need to clean out the Neutral Start safety Switch. They're expensive to replace but cheap to clean. There's a writeup on it:

Here Ya Go!!!

Could also be the transmission control Unit/trans computer.