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Not sure what to do with my YJ...

2K views 19 replies 12 participants last post by  harleydragon 
#1 ·
Hello,

Once again, I'm at the point where I don't know what to do with my Jeep. It's giving me one major problem and no mechanic so far (I'm up to 5 now...) has been able to resolve the issue. I've just about exhausted my mechanical ability in trying to solve the problem. Here's what's happening -- the Jeep cranks just fine. After driving for about ten minutes, the Jeep starts sputtering and hesitating; it's like the Jeep is running out of gas. Once it stalls, it will start up again after a few minutes and do the exact same thing. See the list below for everything that's been done to the Jeep in an attempt to solve this issue:

-New fuel filter
-New fuel pump (2 actually...after i installed the first one, the Jeep would not hold a steady fuel pressure. It would drop to zero immediately after turning the car off. I replaced it again with a warranty replacement and that problem went away)
-New fuel pressure regulator
-New crank position sensor
-New exhaust manifold gasket (there was a leak)
-New ECU
-Fixed a corroded ground wire behind the fuse box
-New exhaust pipe, muffler, cat converter
-Fresh tune-up

NO ONE can figure out this issue and, seeing that I am a college kid, I cannot keep dumping money into this vehicle!! I really love the Jeep and want to keep it, but I simply don't know if it's worth it anymore.

So, if you have any suggestions at all, please let me know! I am up for one last crack at this thing....

Thanks!
 
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#2 ·
Fill out your sig so people know what your running. I had this problem on my old BII and it was the O2 sensor. O2 sensor have some of the most diverse symptoms Ive dealt with...
 
#7 ·
Coil or ignition module could be getting hot and crapping out.

What YEAR 2.5L? Mine is a 90 TBI, which is WAY different then a 91 PFI....


I would also check your cat, if its starting to plug it could do what you are describing, but since you replaced it already.....
 
#10 ·
Hello,

-New fuel filter
-New fuel pump (2 actually...after i installed the first one, the Jeep would not hold a steady fuel pressure. It would drop to zero immediately after turning the car off. I replaced it again with a warranty replacement and that problem went away)
-New fuel pressure regulator
-New crank position sensor
-New exhaust manifold gasket (there was a leak)
-New ECU
-Fixed a corroded ground wire behind the fuse box
-New exhaust pipe, muffler, cat converter
-Fresh tune-up

NO ONE can figure out this issue and, seeing that I am a college kid, I cannot keep dumping money into this vehicle!! I really love the Jeep and want to keep it, but I simply don't know if it's worth it anymore.

So, if you have any suggestions at all, please let me know! I am up for one last crack at this thing....

Thanks!
Did you figure out what the problem was?
I've also completed about 80% of that list, including the coil, the MAP, the O2 sensor, the TPS, and my Jeep will turn over but not start.
 
#11 ·
Not quite yet...the mechanic fixed the fuel issue, but now it will only start every once in a while. He said that when he was working on the car, he had the engine all ready to be fired up and when he cranked it, there was absolutely no spark!! He didn't even touch anything spark-related! So he threw on a new crankshaft position sensor and that didn't fix the problem until I reset the battery. After that, it would crank and fire every time...until now.

The mechanic also said that throughout the repair process, he kept checking the computer's codes and was getting all sorts of readings, including 54 (distributor sync pickup, controlled by the CAM position sensor inside the distributor) and 27 (cylinder four not firing properly). However, since neither of these codes were accurate, he suggested that I swap the computer out again for a warranty replacement. So, I'm going to do this and see what happens. Like I said, it will fire somethings, and then not fire; it's very sporadic and extremely frustrating. Six mechanics and I still have a defective vehicle...

I'll report back IF I ever get it fixed!
 
#13 ·
I also have a YJ with 4.2 with the same issue. I also have had numerous mechanics look at the vehicle with no success. I have several vehicles so I don't drive the YJ much. I have had this problem for about 2 years. Very frustrating. Looking forward to a solution. I even went as far as to replace the distributor. Still same problem.
 
#14 ·
Check your throttle body. Completely take it off and look on the inside of it. Check both of your sensors that are attached to it. Specifically your air/fuel sensor. Take it off and check your stem, if it's gunked up it could really cause a problem and not run right. If the entire TB has gunk all over it, leave it in acetone overnight, both sensors off, and wipe it down in the morning, will come out completely new.
 
#16 ·
We've (now) also replaced the spark plug wires, distributor cap & rotor, ignition coil, & fuel filter. We've been investigating the fuel pressure regulator & checking that the pressure is correct.

One can rent a gauge at Autozone for a deposit, BTW. Since we're all spending money on parts...

I'll be in touch.
 
#17 ·
Check your ground wires. Had a vehicle do this once. Spent days working on it, crank & no start and would die after driving a while when it did start. Turns out the fuel pump had a bad ground and any vibration or slight movement could and would break the circuit. I ended up making a new ground and fixed the issue.
 
#18 ·
Hi all...thanks for the replies. I did forget to mention that the mechanic found a corroded ECU ground wire behind the fuse box. He fixed it but the problem still persisted. He also noticed my fuel still wasn't holding pressure, so threw on a new regulator. The pressure remains perfect while idling, driving, etc. But, the starting issue is still there. I will certainly double check the rest of the wires. Where should I start checking, considering the mechanic checked behind the fuse box already??
 
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