nomoneycherokee

Hello all,
I have a 2000 Cherokee 4.0 that I use for my daily driver. About two weeks ago, I noticed a slight 'jerk' or tug when maintaining any speed ( not accelerating or decelerating ). I feels like there is a tow rope attached to the back and someone is yanking on it or like I'm hitting little bumps on the pavement. I only happens when I am ever so slightly depressing the accelerator such as to maintain a certain speed. It also does this when I use the cruise control. I worked in Colorado last summer and drove from northern Minnesota to Iowa when the throttle position sensor went out. I replaced it and I haven't had a problem since. I recently brought the jeep into a shop and they replaced the crankshaft position sensor and that did not fix it. I was wondering if any of y'all might've had this problem? I've been looking through some old threads but I'm hoping this might be easier to get suggestions. Thank you in advance for the help/advice!

PatHenry

I'd start with looking at the gas pedal cable, cruise cable and if it's an auto, on the auto cable and see if they're sticking. Maybe some Fluid Film or synthetic spray lube (the Mobil 1 used to be epic level good, but it's no longer made) on that stuff if it appears to be getting stuck.

Roler

Mate, that thread title haha
You sure you're on the right forum?

Roler

OK, on to the problem:

when the 'jerk' happens, did you notice

- change in rpm?
- change in dashlights/other lights?
- any cluster issues?
- noticed any engine stumble

nomoneycherokee

Roler,
After going back and re-reading it, I get what you mean about the title lol
So, when the 'jerk' happens I don't notice any mentionable change in the rpms. The engine does seem to be running rather rough though, and every once in a while when idling, I notice what could maybe be a misfire? I am not 100% sure on what it is. No check engine light and no other cluster issues. My front speakers don't work and i can only control the windows from the drivers door, though.

Roler

Is it running rough in general (so whilst driving) or mainly at idle?

BlueRidgeMark

Pull codes. I'm guessing your engine is very briefly cutting out. Had that with my 97, turned out to be a loose connection to the coil. Obviously, you don't have that problem with a 2000, but I'm betting something is intermittently, and very briefly, killing your spark.

Roler

I'm leaning towards a similar scenario
intermittent very brief either spark or fuel hickups

could be a few things in that case...

cruiser54

Find the CPS connector. Unplug it, inspect it, spray it with contact cleaner and plug it back in.

nomoneycherokee

Roler, mainly at an idle. It's very rough when just starting which I realize will happen in the cold temps in northern MN. Then as it warms up it smooths out but still seems to be rougher than normal. It runs fine when driving, just when the accelerator is slightly depressed is when the trouble starts.

nomoneycherokee

Blue Ridge Mark,
When I recently brought it in to the shop, they told me the only codes showing up were a sporadic cps code and a code having to do with the radiator.

Roler

So you still have the CPS code ( (assuming that was again checked after the replacement)
Do you know what brand they put in there?
You might have come across a thread or two mentioning that the CPS needs to be a good brand (not sure if OEM/Mopar still available, NGK brand was mentioned as good as well). The CPS is one of those sensors that if it's a cheap chinesium, it will bite you in the bumm. Kaput right out of the box and makes you think it cant be the CPS because it was just replaced.

BlueRidgeMark

^^

Exactly what he said.

Also, the wiring to the CPS might be flaky.