[McCarley]

Hey all,

My '96 XJ has started doing something strange. About a month ago the check engine light came on outa nowhere, but there was no noticable change to performance. The light went off about a day later. Since then it has done it one or two more times. But yesterday I was driving in the rain and made a right turn onto my street and got a total loss of power for a second (light came back on also). I noticed it immediatly and let up on the gas and then put it back down - no problem. But if I slam it down and let it up a few times - same problem. I also noticed the same loss of power a few times when first accelerating from a stop sign.

Should I check the CPU for errer code, if so where is it located and is there a list of the codes posted somewhere?

I'm open to ideas guys - whatya think it might be?

[Jeep Cherokee]

Sounds like the same prob that I have but I didnt get a check engine light. If you start it up cold does it start to sputter after about 5 min?

[McCarley]

Nope. This all happened yesterday around 1pm. So I was interested to see what it would do this morning on a cold start - but no problem there. I did get a quick power loss though accelerating from a stop sign about a 1/4 mile from my house (first stop sign on the drive to work)

[McCarley]

I can also add as a possible contributing factor that it has not had an oil change in quite some time.

[McCarley]

I just took a drive for lunch and the check engine light was off, but still having the same power problem.

[balloo93]

What is the oil pressure reading at?

I would change the oil ASAP. Also, change the air filter! Could also be a O2 that's on it's way out.

[jandj]

check the trouble codes. Do the key on and off thing. You should be able to find the codes somewhere or post what you found and someone will tell you what they are.

[mbood82]

Fuel pump/filter issues quite possibly...

[McCarley]

This morning it's running like crap! I'm on my way out to do the oil change right now and to check some other things too. Where is the CPU on my jeep?

[McCarley]

Ok, I replaced the fuel filter, oil fitler, oil, air filter - and it looks like I'm in need of a new cap/rotor/wires combo too. Also, I hear at least one of my valves tapping pretty good. Havn't driven it yet to see if anything i've done up to this point has helped.

[balloo93]

Run some Restore Engine flush through the motor before the next oil change. It's the mildest cleaner I have used and it have never messed with any of the seals. After that put in some fresh oil and see if the lifter noise is a little quieter.

Any oil on the air filter when you replaced it?

[McCarley]

No oil in the filter - oil presure is normal - I took it for a spin and it didn't sputter, but who knows if it will later or tomarrow. I havn't really gotten to "test" drive it the way I'd like to.

[93_zj]

my '88 xj had a problem kinda like that,it'll start sputtering i let off the gas and step back on it,it gets a sudden burst of power,a couple of seconds later it starts sputterin' keeps doing it over and over,the emissions maintenance light is on,but of course,it's just on a timer so it's not like it really means much that the light's on,any suggestions?

[mbood82]

Originally Posted by 93_zj

my '88 xj had a problem kinda like that,it'll start sputtering i let off the gas and step back on it,it gets a sudden burst of power,a couple of seconds later it starts sputterin' keeps doing it over and over,the emissions maintenance light is on,but of course,it's just on a timer so it's not like it really means much that the light's on,any suggestions?

Check the fuel filter yet?

[balloo93]

If the surging is just at start off I'd say pull the EGR vac line and plug it. If the problem goes away then replace the egr. If that doesn't cure it, clean the hell out of the TB, especially the IAC motor and housing.