rcguymike

You were up late. Yeah, ordered a new one for Wednesday.

Check your battery clamps, terminals and cables for corrosion/looseness.

99ckee

Quick story... Just bought a 99 XJ w/ 146,000 miles on it, and sometimes it starts fine and runs well, other times it has a rough start and dies when I put it in reverse or drive. Key in ignition and turned, control panel, lights, radio, etc all come on, but won't turn over (or even click).

Question: What could cause this erratic idling and shut off?

There is a new air filter, throttle body is clean, I am going to take out the IAC valve and clean that, beyond that I cannot start to guess at what it is.

I ordered new spark plugs, wire set, distributor cap and rotor, and fuel filter and those will be going on as soon as I get them.

Thanks for any help!

rcguymike

'99 the fuel filter is in the tank, and you might as well replace the whole sending unit if you're in there. How's fuel pressure?

TFitzPat87

Two questions for you guys....

Does anyone else ever notice a single "click" after they shut their jeep down. Never worried about it, but just curious if it's something I should look into.

Also, would you guys suspect that an ignition switch is failing, if the blinkers, radio, and dome light intermittently cut out. Radio volume just lowers at random times, front dome light works some of the time, and my right blinker only works sometimes. At one point on a crappy, cold, snowy day the radio cut out for a sec, and the wipers stopped working.

I've dug in the engine bay, refreshed grounds, but can't find anything loose, broken, missing, etc.

cruiser54

The ignition switch is probably melting at the brown wire.

You have a Renix era Jeep, right?

Ever been to my website?

rcguymike

His signature says 1997

TFitzPat87

Nope it's a 97', but that's what I was thinking. That it's not completely failed, but might be in the process. I do get a random "plasticy" smell at times. Never been able to pin point it. Just happens.

Appreciate the info. I'll dig into it here this weekend and at least check to see what it looks like.

rcguymike

I think it's the same as a '99, it's really easy to replace the ignition switch if that's what it is, phillips and a t10 security bit, should take less than 30 minutes start to finish.

TFitzPat87

Nice. If it really is that quick of a job, definitely worth removing to take a look. I have a FSM for my year if needed.

1999greenxj

So what am I supposed to do if none of the bolts on the jeep want to let go? I recently got a bumper for the front and the bolts won't let go. I resorted to throwing tools and yelling at the vehicle. Anything is greatly appreciated

Danger12

[QUOTE=1999greenxj;3380754]So what am I supposed to do if none of the bolts on the jeep want to let go? I recently got a bumper for the front and the bolts won't let go. I resorted to throwing tools and yelling at the vehicle. Anything is greatly appreciated[/QUOTE

Soak in penetrating oil. Heat up the bolts with a torch.

Danger12

97 XJ 4.0 automatic. Starts good, idles good, runs and drives good. Except anywhere from the first 100-500 yards down the road it will stall for about 2 seconds. Doesn't matter if it's been running a while or not. Has done it about 8 of the last 10 times. Use to happen only once every few weeks. Any ideas?

rcguymike

Penetrating oil isn't going to work over the course of a few minutes either. Give it a few soaks throughout the week, couple taps with a hammer to shock it and heat if possible when you go to try again. PB blaster, kroil or even a 50/50 mix of acetone and ATF(be careful getting it on rubber).

Basslicks

Welcome!

Takes a while. They only send 'em out a few times a year from what I've heard.

gunmetal_nightrider

You may have multiple issues. There are many youtube videos explaining tracking a rough idle. Try not to throw parts at it hoping to fix it. Updating is great but i like to save money. The NSS on the transmission can cause a no start issue. It will not allow your engine to start (no click - nothing) unless you wiggle the shifter or put it in Neutral. No reverse lights are a sign also. Cleaning or a rebuild of the NSS fixes it. This is a good writeup.