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#3451
Seasoned Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central Washington
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Year: 91 xj, 93 xj, 93 zj, 94 zj
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2x I6, 2x v8
your idle issue is likely caused by your Crankshaft Position Sensor starting to fail. It likely happens while driving too, but you don't notice it since the transmission keeps the engine turning at speed. Another possibility is your distributor rotor/cap needs replacement, or your camshaft position sensor (in the distributor) is starting to fail.
Intermittent problems are very hard to diagnose/pinpoint. Good luck with this one. Start with the cheapest first and move up to the most expensive. Good thing is none of these are particularly hard/expensive to replace, but it's finding the right cause that's the issue.
I'm not sure about the cooling fan, although it's not uncommon for it to not ever turn on in the winter months. It kicks on at about 210* for engine cooling, and also kicks on with the a/c compressor (also defrost). However it won't kick on under ac/defrost mode if your a/c system doesn't have enough pressure in it.
Intermittent problems are very hard to diagnose/pinpoint. Good luck with this one. Start with the cheapest first and move up to the most expensive. Good thing is none of these are particularly hard/expensive to replace, but it's finding the right cause that's the issue.
I'm not sure about the cooling fan, although it's not uncommon for it to not ever turn on in the winter months. It kicks on at about 210* for engine cooling, and also kicks on with the a/c compressor (also defrost). However it won't kick on under ac/defrost mode if your a/c system doesn't have enough pressure in it.
As to those items listed for the idle issues: the cps and cxp were replaced trying to track down the old idle issue, and it is true I haven't changed my plugs, cap, rotor and wires in a few miles, the idle is smooth and regular the rest of the time. Its not missing, its actually more like when you hit the kill switch on a lawn mower for a moment and release it before the engine stops, so it picks back up and runs. I've noticed other vehicles do similar things, usually along with a click of a relay as some automated subsystem kicks on or off, but Im hearing no clicks, and the only thing I know of that runs automatically on a '90s jeep is the a/c fan. There isnt even an EGR.
About the cooling fan issue, im leaning toward the thought the "new" fan is bad, and Ill just have to put the motor out of the old one into its frame. the old one was in during the cold a few months ago and would kick on while sitting idle. I have no A/C system. By the way, I would recommend putting in the fan (and its fuse and relay) to anyone without one, especially if they are having overheating issues. I went from overheating in a few minutes while idle to a few degrees below what used to be 'normal' average even when sitting idle.
#3452
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: So. Calif.
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Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 IL6
Can anyone tell me what these two wires go to?
The first one has a two pin plug with what looks to be a positive and negative wires going into the plug. Could it be for the fog lights that are not there??
The second one is attached to the alternator and seems to be some type of ground wire.
Thanks in advance
The first one has a two pin plug with what looks to be a positive and negative wires going into the plug. Could it be for the fog lights that are not there??
The second one is attached to the alternator and seems to be some type of ground wire.
Thanks in advance
#3453
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: yakima WA
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Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
first post ever, two questions
This is my first post. I have a 95 cherokee sport. it has new high flow water pump and stant superstat thermostat installed in november. recently through the cold weather here my jeep has begun to spit coolant. It's not constant, it does it once or twice spitting coolant that hits the clutch fan and is thrown all over the engine compartment. I know when it happens because it starts to smoke when im driving and it is burning off the anti freeze. I have gone to each hose and made sure they are as tight as i can make them. It still happens. I can't even tell where it's coming from because of the spray. It didn't start until winter came and the cold weather got here. the jeep is running at a normal temp and is not over heating. Is this normal with a cherokee? Any ideas of what i should check or do would be helpful. Second question - the oil pressure gauge started reading strange today. when ever i'm at stop sign or light it drops really low. does this mean the oil pump is going out? The cheaper the fix the better, as i haven't worked since last May and money is tight. thanks.
#3454
CF Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: South Dakota
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Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Alright im getting some extra money here soon and im looking to do something to my 92 cherokee, i've been looking at putting a cold air intake in, bigger throttle body, redoing the exhaust, getting hid headlights, getting some kc lights, and/or getting a new off road front bumper. Any suggestions and/or good brands or websites would be greatly appreciated.
#3455
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 35
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Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 H.O.
#9 fuse keeps blowing
My dome lights refuse to work. I either blow the #9 fuse under the dash or the aux light fuse under the hood. I'm guessing I have a short somewhere... just don't know where to start? It seems like the fuse blows either when I start it up or when I turn the lights on. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
#3456
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
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Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Inline 6
would the hood from an '88 grand wagoneer fit on an 89 cherokee? otherwise, how does one go about drilling the holes in the cherokee hood to fit the grand wagoneers hood ornament?
#3457
CF Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Mercer County, NJ
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Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6 HO
Originally Posted by shlein69
My dome lights refuse to work. I either blow the #9 fuse under the dash or the aux light fuse under the hood. I'm guessing I have a short somewhere... just don't know where to start? It seems like the fuse blows either when I start it up or when I turn the lights on. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
#3458
☠ CF Sheriff ☠
If only it were that easy! Though I never find replacing the cps particularly easy...
As to those items listed for the idle issues: the cps and cxp were replaced trying to track down the old idle issue, and it is true I haven't changed my plugs, cap, rotor and wires in a few miles, the idle is smooth and regular the rest of the time. Its not missing, its actually more like when you hit the kill switch on a lawn mower for a moment and release it before the engine stops, so it picks back up and runs. I've noticed other vehicles do similar things, usually along with a click of a relay as some automated subsystem kicks on or off, but Im hearing no clicks, and the only thing I know of that runs automatically on a '90s jeep is the a/c fan. There isnt even an EGR.
About the cooling fan issue, im leaning toward the thought the "new" fan is bad, and Ill just have to put the motor out of the old one into its frame. the old one was in during the cold a few months ago and would kick on while sitting idle. I have no A/C system. By the way, I would recommend putting in the fan (and its fuse and relay) to anyone without one, especially if they are having overheating issues. I went from overheating in a few minutes while idle to a few degrees below what used to be 'normal' average even when sitting idle.
As to those items listed for the idle issues: the cps and cxp were replaced trying to track down the old idle issue, and it is true I haven't changed my plugs, cap, rotor and wires in a few miles, the idle is smooth and regular the rest of the time. Its not missing, its actually more like when you hit the kill switch on a lawn mower for a moment and release it before the engine stops, so it picks back up and runs. I've noticed other vehicles do similar things, usually along with a click of a relay as some automated subsystem kicks on or off, but Im hearing no clicks, and the only thing I know of that runs automatically on a '90s jeep is the a/c fan. There isnt even an EGR.
About the cooling fan issue, im leaning toward the thought the "new" fan is bad, and Ill just have to put the motor out of the old one into its frame. the old one was in during the cold a few months ago and would kick on while sitting idle. I have no A/C system. By the way, I would recommend putting in the fan (and its fuse and relay) to anyone without one, especially if they are having overheating issues. I went from overheating in a few minutes while idle to a few degrees below what used to be 'normal' average even when sitting idle.
Inspect the cap and rotor first before anything
#3459
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Roswell, NM
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Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L
Ok quick question, if I swap an 8.25 in for my D35 I know i have to lose ABS, but if I added ZJ discs to the 8.25, would I still have to lose ABS?
#3461
☠ CF Sheriff ☠
Alternatively, you can build a D44 with ZJ disk brakes and ABS...if you can find one.
Personally, my recommendation is to just ditch the ABS system. It's not a very good system to begin with. Even if you did get it installed, it's unlikely that you would be able to get it to work right. Besides it sucks to have off-pavement.
#3462
Newbie
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Pittsburgh
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
1998 engine replacement
I recently bought a 1998 sport with a bad engine. I have a 1994 xj with a Jasper engine with low milage. Will I have any problems putting the engine from the 1994 in the 1998?
#3463
☠ CF Sheriff ☠
Swap just the "long block" of the good engine into the 1998 chassis, and reuse the 1998 engine intake, sensors, injectors, pcm, exhaust, and wiring harness. You may also have to swap the flexplate/flywheel depending on the transmission.
#3464
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Location: Pittsburgh
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Thanks Dukie564. That's pretty much what I was thinking. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't something I was missing.