Hey all,

Been reading the forums a lot lately in anticipation of buying an XJ. Found a 97 black 4DR, 2WD, Auto cherokee with 216,000 miles. County package, black on gray, has rear bumper damage as well as the tailgate has been dented and wont open.. It has a certificate of destruction in Florida, not sure what i will need to do to get it a salvage title, I am researching it after I type this post.

There are a few things wrong with the XJ that I was hoping to get some input on from this great cherokee forum.

Issues:

When I started it up it was slow to start, and finally started up, this was only a few mins after the owner drove it and then parked it where i inspected it. what would cause this? I was thinking the battery, maybe a ground? I also heard it squeal pretty loud at one point, but that went away... what would cause that a belt??

Once I started it up it was idling rough, occasionally the rpm gauge would rev a little higher, like it was going to die. Once I gave it some gas and was driving, it went away, had no issues.

Seemed to ride really smooth, and the brakes worked good.

The only gauge that didnt work was the gas tank, but the xj had some rear damage that is why it has the Certificate of destruction, although it isnt that bad at all, and i was told the insurance inspector didnt care and it was raining so he just "totaled" it. is there an issue with the gas tanks level sensors?

check engine light wasn't on initially but once i was on the road and accelerated, it came on... not sure, but I will get the code scanned.

I got this truck for $500, and its not all that bad of shape, and im not too scared of the miles for this price.

What should be done as far as a tune up, what is recommended for new xj owners that they should check? plugs, wires, coil?

Love the look, its black, country trim, im really excited to get this old dog looking good and driving great. I have a bmw 540i as my dd, and have done some work to that so im a semi shade tree mechanic. Want a jeep because i was looking for something that is easy to work on and has cheap parts, and i just love the look and feel of the cherokee.

All help anyone can give me is greatly appreciated, and I look forward to fixing this jeep up.

Thanks,

Adam

 

Well, the seller claimed it had a salvage title, but it has a certificate of destruction in florida. Can never be titled again the DMV tells me. Good thing I had put the deposit on the car and didnt take it last night.

NOT PURCHASING ABOVE TRUCK. MODS, please delete this thread.

 

dang, bummer. maybe get it even cheaper and swap parts to another with a blown motor?

i am a bmw guy also and i love hte cherokee too. parts are so cheap compared to hte bimmers. even lifting it is cheap compares to lowering our cars