So its been a little over a month now since I got the 1994 Jeep Cherokee. Things are looking good on it so far.



The good news is that I have working oil pressure and engine temperature gauges again; I put in new temperature and oil pressure senders. Also got the 4WD HI working; the linkage just needed to be adjusted.

I have a few more things to fix. I have a exhaust leak just about at the first bend of the exhaust pipe making the turn to the underside of the chassis; my father is going to come over soon and weld it for me. I still have the misfire issue at idle on the #3 cylinder; but I am pretty sure its linked to my exhaust leak (not the right back pressure and screwing up the readings from the 02 sensor, causing a lean issue)

I get about 12 MPG, but I am doing mostly city driving on my regular commute. Will be doing a highway trip soon to see if that changes. My exhaust issue should fix some of that.

I found out today that on my NP231 transfer case, the fill plug is stuck. This will be fun to try to fix.

I'm in the market for a grille guard...not a brand new one but a used one.

I have most of my radio gear in there but I think none of you guys want to hear about that

Well, another quick update for those who care.

After my 2nd most recent fillup, I noticed my MPG was where it should be...at 15 MPG so I was happy.

Then on Tuesday morning when my shift at work ended, the XJ would not turn over. It cranks just fine, but would not turn over. I ended up getting it towed home. I woke up later (I work night shift) and decided to take a look. I had fuel flowing through the rails and into the injectors, but I had no spark. My Ignition coil was fine, so I checked the Camshaft Position sensor; that was fine. Next up was the Crankshift Position Sensor and BINGO! It was dead as doornail. So I am going to get a new CPS and that SHOULD fix the problem.

Posted by Agent Skelly I noticed my MPG was where it should be...at 15 MPG so I was happy.

Hah! Of course, nobody buys a Jeep for the MPG. Good to hear it coming together - and good luck with the floorboards.

Posted by AnAppleSnail Hah! Of course, nobody buys a Jeep for the MPG. Good to hear it coming together - and good luck with the floorboards.

otaku has the floorboard issue, not me!

Sure no one buys the Jeep for the MPG, but it should be at where its should be when running right.

I don't get it, my 91 Cherokee ( same drivetrain as yours) knocked off 20 all day long on the interstate and 16-18 around town. And I beat the shit out of it. Weird.

Posted by Agent Skelly otaku has the floorboard issue, not me!

That's what I get for watching chat at 4. Anyway, it looks like lots of people get the floorboard issue ;)

Posted by jeepdave I don't get it, my 91 Cherokee ( same drivetrain as yours) knocked off 20 all day long on the interstate and 16-18 around town. And I beat the shit out of it. Weird.

Well I am happy with 15 MPG during my daily commute. I'm sure I will do better once on the highway.

Anyways, I did some more work today. I have a new CPS, but I was able to get a reading on the old one currently installed. Its reading 7.31 volts when the ignition is ON and when cranking it. And of course, it still won't start.

I decided to check again on the ignition coil as I said I was getting no spark out of it previously. Voltage coming out of it is 6.87 volts...is that right?

No, you're off by like 19,400v.

Posted by bandi No, you're off by like 19,400v.

Good...I thought I was seeing things.

Posted by bandi No, you're off by like 19,400v.

serious lols

Posted by Agent Skelly Well I am happy with 15 MPG during my daily commute. I'm sure I will do better once on the highway. Anyways, I did some more work today. I have a new CPS, but I was able to get a reading on the old one currently installed. Its reading 7.31 volts when the ignition is ON and when cranking it. And of course, it still won't start. I decided to check again on the ignition coil as I said I was getting no spark out of it previously. Voltage coming out of it is 6.87 volts...is that right?

ignition coil test. You should be able to draw small sparks to ground - not that it's a good idea to check with a wire you like.

Posted by AnAppleSnail ignition coil test. You should be able to draw small sparks to ground - not that it's a good idea to check with a wire you like.

Already done it...and swapped out the coil with another one I had; no change. I'm getting 12V from the harness to the coil too.

Posted by Agent Skelly Already done it...and swapped out the coil with another one I had; no change. I'm getting 12V from the harness to the coil too.

Those coils can be a bitch, I have had new ones that didn't work well. Did you clean the area it mounts to really well? They have to have a fucking perfect ground to work properly. If your getting 12V to it at the proper amps and its only sending out enough for a weak night light then I would check to make sure its grounded properly.

Posted by jeepdave Those coils can be a bitch, I have had new ones that didn't work well. Did you clean the area it mounts to really well? They have to have a fucking perfect ground to work properly. If your getting 12V to it at the proper amps and its only sending out enough for a weak night light then I would check to make sure its grounded properly.

I cleaned the grounds just now but I figured out something.

On the PCM connector, I noticed the pin for the CKP is also showing continuity on the pin next to it. Per the wiring diagram, that should not be happening.

Ah, now I am getting somewhere!

I am actually getting no signal on the pin for the CPS on the PCM (24) at all! Instead, its showing up at pins 4,5 and sometimes 1 and 21.

Sounds like you got a Jeep with VW electronics.

Posted by velcrozeppelin Sounds like you got a Jeep with VW electronics.

Ha.

The problem is that even after 1991, when Chrysler put in a Mopar MPI system on the AMC 242, they were still using some RENIX sensors and what not. It was not until the 1997 revision, they got rid completely of all RENIX parts.

RENIX parts are up there with Lucas Electronics, but at least RENIX lasts longer...

No, with VW electronics it'd start... but it'd have small fires and no lights would work except for the check engine one.

Posted by bandi No, with VW electronics it'd start... but it'd have small fires and no lights would work except for the check engine one.

Ha.

Well I also got a trouble code; code 54 which means internal PCM error...I think its caused by this short I found on the harness.

Well bad news everyone.

Code 54 means no signal from camshaft sensor as I read the code chart wrong. I double checked the wiring harness and it seems OK. Double checked the camshaft sensor and it seems OK as well. I went ahead and replaced the crankshaft position sensor; but still won't start. Even my father came out and checked everything and he can see why I am frustrated on this.

I'm going to have to take the XJ to...A REPAIR SHOP (gasp)