To keep or to sell? '93 XJ
07-26-2015, 04:44 PM
#16
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L / alabama head
You could start checking electrical lines that may be getting bad grounds or being shorted out. electrical is a nightmare. Good luck.
Oh and never pay that much for something with that many miles on it. You should of said 1300 or bust(and that is with it in good condition, it seems like the electrical should of been noticed, further lowering the price).
Oh and never pay that much for something with that many miles on it. You should of said 1300 or bust(and that is with it in good condition, it seems like the electrical should of been noticed, further lowering the price).
07-27-2015, 02:47 AM
#17
Member
I've owned 6 xjs over the past 10 years and never paid more then $1500 for one. Heck my 84 was the cleanest one I ever owned and I only paid $500 for it but the 2.8l GM v6 in it bit the dust after taking in a little bit of water
07-27-2015, 09:54 PM
#18
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Thanks again for all the responses and advice.
I just want to say, I am no mechanic, though like I said I do all my work on my own.
I did look this vehicle over thoroughly before I purchased it--none of these problems were evident. Sure the rotor probably should have been, I probably should have tested every little thing like the blower motor, and mechanics opinion would have been especially helpful. Still, I understand that things fall apart-- that's what they do. No one can predict all car troubles. The electrical problems, as I've read, are predictable, however.
Turns out my wobbling on the right side was just a worn out tire, got a rotation and will buy new tires soon. Either 2 new 31"s or probably more likely I am going to take the 3" poor man's lift kit out (coil spacers in the front and blocks under the rear axel's U-bolts), because it's a pain getting up hills in an over-geared, undertorqued 4 cylinder.
I finally fixed my charging problem with a custom "one-wire" alternator set up, using an installed aftermarket voltage regulator internal to the alternator, was checked by parts store and charging properly. Tomorrow morning I am getting an all new setup for my battery terminals connectors, one where accessories can be easily added, to be done by an auto electrician for a permanent fix.
As far as the misfiring, I am also going to replace either the crankshaft position sensor or the coil pickup, after testing both tomorrow. I will also test the fuel injectors just to be sure. I added fuel injector cleaner today, no difference. I did test the fuel pressure though, and it was fine.
I believe I can fix the turn signal problem with a short jumper wire around an open circuit. I also believe I may have found the source of the brights shorting out the rest of the lights when burning, as a running light cover almost fell off driving down the road and exposed some uninsulated wiring. I will replace the headlight switch with a new one and look into this possible short.
I am also going to get the cheapest muffler I can get, as soon as everything else falls into place. Not everything will be fixed on this vehicle, but I will do my best to make it a safer vehicle to drive before being passed on. It's the right thing to do. I would only sell it in the condition it is in now in some type of emergency.
As far as financing, I don't really regret it. I only regret paying quite so much for the vehicle. I think $2000 would have been more fair, considering the condition it was actually in. It's obvious to me the previous owners were aware of some of the problems, I bought it from a mechanic's 17 year old son. I thought buying it from a mechanic would be a good thing--but I see my foolishness in believing this now. Many things were improperly repaired and have led to repeated repair effort. I got a car loan from my local credit union, the rate was low and my monthly payments are low. Nothing beats owning a car outright and having the title in-hand, but at the time my bank came through and allowed me to buy the car I wanted when I had no other ride (my '94 F-150 was sitting at the time).
Also, I don't know anything lemon laws or anything like that, and I wasn't thinking about that when I first started having problems. I wanted the vehicle and wouldn't want to return it or anything, and I wouldn't think that type of thing would be very successful, or efficient for that matter. Though I have reservations about caveat emptor (buyer beware) on the grand economic scale, I believe in this principal when buying and selling old used vehicles. I was buying a 20 year old truck. I was expecting issues, and all of the--including ones I wasn't prepared for--became mine when I shook the selling party's hand and signed the papers. No way I was ever going to cry to them about the situation. If anything I will ask for the number for the painter. ...and maybe tell the kid to not let his brakes get so bad, for his own sake.
I just want to say, I am no mechanic, though like I said I do all my work on my own.
I did look this vehicle over thoroughly before I purchased it--none of these problems were evident. Sure the rotor probably should have been, I probably should have tested every little thing like the blower motor, and mechanics opinion would have been especially helpful. Still, I understand that things fall apart-- that's what they do. No one can predict all car troubles. The electrical problems, as I've read, are predictable, however.
Turns out my wobbling on the right side was just a worn out tire, got a rotation and will buy new tires soon. Either 2 new 31"s or probably more likely I am going to take the 3" poor man's lift kit out (coil spacers in the front and blocks under the rear axel's U-bolts), because it's a pain getting up hills in an over-geared, undertorqued 4 cylinder.
I finally fixed my charging problem with a custom "one-wire" alternator set up, using an installed aftermarket voltage regulator internal to the alternator, was checked by parts store and charging properly. Tomorrow morning I am getting an all new setup for my battery terminals connectors, one where accessories can be easily added, to be done by an auto electrician for a permanent fix.
As far as the misfiring, I am also going to replace either the crankshaft position sensor or the coil pickup, after testing both tomorrow. I will also test the fuel injectors just to be sure. I added fuel injector cleaner today, no difference. I did test the fuel pressure though, and it was fine.
I believe I can fix the turn signal problem with a short jumper wire around an open circuit. I also believe I may have found the source of the brights shorting out the rest of the lights when burning, as a running light cover almost fell off driving down the road and exposed some uninsulated wiring. I will replace the headlight switch with a new one and look into this possible short.
I am also going to get the cheapest muffler I can get, as soon as everything else falls into place. Not everything will be fixed on this vehicle, but I will do my best to make it a safer vehicle to drive before being passed on. It's the right thing to do. I would only sell it in the condition it is in now in some type of emergency.
As far as financing, I don't really regret it. I only regret paying quite so much for the vehicle. I think $2000 would have been more fair, considering the condition it was actually in. It's obvious to me the previous owners were aware of some of the problems, I bought it from a mechanic's 17 year old son. I thought buying it from a mechanic would be a good thing--but I see my foolishness in believing this now. Many things were improperly repaired and have led to repeated repair effort. I got a car loan from my local credit union, the rate was low and my monthly payments are low. Nothing beats owning a car outright and having the title in-hand, but at the time my bank came through and allowed me to buy the car I wanted when I had no other ride (my '94 F-150 was sitting at the time).
Also, I don't know anything lemon laws or anything like that, and I wasn't thinking about that when I first started having problems. I wanted the vehicle and wouldn't want to return it or anything, and I wouldn't think that type of thing would be very successful, or efficient for that matter. Though I have reservations about caveat emptor (buyer beware) on the grand economic scale, I believe in this principal when buying and selling old used vehicles. I was buying a 20 year old truck. I was expecting issues, and all of the--including ones I wasn't prepared for--became mine when I shook the selling party's hand and signed the papers. No way I was ever going to cry to them about the situation. If anything I will ask for the number for the painter. ...and maybe tell the kid to not let his brakes get so bad, for his own sake.
The following users liked this post:
vroomvroom (03-21-2023)
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)