Jeep Wrangler Forum banner

Engine problems big time!!!

2K views 9 replies 6 participants last post by  Jerry Bransford 
#1 ·
A couple months ago i bought a 2002 TJ auto. It has worked every bit of perfect up until the last 2 weeks.First problem was a radiator leak that i couldn't seem to pinpoint. I replaced all the tubes and reconnected them...still leaked everywhere. So, i bought a new one and swapped it in-problem solved. Not an hour after i replaced the radiator when i go to get gas it wouldn't start. I turned the key and the dials said the battery was fine so i knew it was a starter problem. I hit it with a hammer and it started again. I went on hitting it with a hammer for as long as i could so i wouldn't have to spend more money on it. Eventually it died all together and i had to replace the starter. Now the BIG problem that has been causing me troubles. Every time i stop at a stop light or a stop sign one of two things happens:
1.Engine randomly cuts completely off and i have to put it in park, turn it off, turn it back on, and put ir in drive before i can go anywhere.
or...
2.While i'm stopped the engine will drop to nearly 0 in rpm's then jump back up to 1000 rpms causing the whole jeep to "shimmy". only when this happens its not only one time like the engine cutting off, its back to back to back.

Anyone with any knowledge of whats going on please chime in. I'm hoping its not really that big of a deal and im just overreacting.
 
See less See more
#2 ·
What engine is it? Could be several things. Id start with a good tune up. Plugs, wires, cap, button. Oil change and see what happens. Also air filter. If it persists check for vacuum leaks around the intake and brake booster. I'd start with these things first. Thing move on to cat, pcm, timing possibly, and so on.
 
#8 ·
The crankshaft position sensor is a critical enough device that I'd get a Mopar replacement from the dealer. Aftermarket sensors sold by places like Autozone are far more likely to have problems.

This particular sensor is mounted high up on the driver's side of the transmission bell housing, right next to where it bolts to the engine.

There is a different type of sensor for the automatic vs. manual transmission so make sure the parts guy knows you have the automatic. By the way, you're lucky... your particular transmission is the 32RH which is one of the very best and most reliable automatic transmissions to have ever come out of Detroit. I converted my previous '97 TJ that came with the 5-speed manual to use that exact automatic transmission, it's superb for doing more difficult trails like for rock crawling.

Quick question, have you had any Check Engine lights when the engine dies?
 
#9 ·
Should I go to a certified Jeep Dealership to get the Mopar replacement part? I didn't buy it from a dealership. and thanks for the input.

I really wanted a manual because of my uncle and friends telling me that if you get a jeep it has to be a manual blah blah blah. But,i read up enough online to find that the 32RH was actually a very good auto to have in a jeep for the reasons you outlined,and the fact that i have a 15yo brother learning to drive. Its hard enough to learn all the rules of the road with a auto.i didnt want him having to learn a manual and how todrive at the same time.:censored:
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top