[trotter]

This problem has been ongoing for months. I even had a previous thread about. '93 Jeep Wrangler 4-cyl. Would just go dead intermittently while driving it. Got worse and worse and worse (more frequent). Just Jeeps in Knoxville said alternator was bad. They replaced the alternator --- same problem came back. Now they said the Crank Shaft Position Sensor was faulty (burned up?). they replaced it with one out of the box. They test drove and Jeep died on the road within a mile of the shop. Now they say the Rectifier Bridge (or Field Connector) is allowing voltage to 'spill back' and burn out the Crank Shaft Position Sensor. I trust these guys - they seem to know what they're talking about. Now - the new problem - you can't buy a Rectifier Bridge(Field Connector) either new or rebuilt. You have to buy a new wiring harness or get it is cut out of a wiring harness from a salvage jeep. The Rectifier bridge bolts to the back of the alternator but is actually part of the wiring harness. Anybody got any ideas and any locations where I might be able to salvage this part? I'll pay for the par (obviously) and have it shipped. You guys are great ..... helped with a different problem earlier this year. Thanks again ....... Trotter

[sentinal02]

Originally Posted by trotter

This problem has been ongoing for months. I even had a previous thread about. '93 Jeep Wrangler 4-cyl. Would just go dead intermittently while driving it. Got worse and worse and worse (more frequent). Just Jeeps in Knoxville said alternator was bad. They replaced the alternator --- same problem came back. Now they said the Crank Shaft Position Sensor was faulty (burned up?). they replaced it with one out of the box. They test drove and Jeep died on the road within a mile of the shop. Now they say the Rectifier Bridge (or Field Connector) is allowing voltage to 'spill back' and burn out the Crank Shaft Position Sensor. I trust these guys - they seem to know what they're talking about. Now - the new problem - you can't buy a Rectifier Bridge(Field Connector) either new or rebuilt. You have to buy a new wiring harness or get it is cut out of a wiring harness from a salvage jeep. The Rectifier bridge bolts to the back of the alternator but is actually part of the wiring harness. Anybody got any ideas and any locations where I might be able to salvage this part? I'll pay for the par (obviously) and have it shipped. You guys are great ..... helped with a different problem earlier this year. Thanks again ....... Trotter

that's a new one on me. never even heard of that part. two ?'s though. have you gotten a CPS code from the computer yet and can you hear the fuel pump cycle on when it dies and you try to start again? my uncle's ZJ had similar problems and it ended up being the pump. kept coming up with different codes and then we finally narrowed it down to the pump.

[CanukYJ]

I agree with sentinal, check for codes and listen for the pump, check the filter too it may be full of crud and is cutting off fuel supply at random. IF the rectifier is definitely the issue (sounds odd to me but I'm more of a gear head than electrician, I would think a bad ground from the CPS or bad wiring would cause a short killing it) check junkers and online junkers like www.car-part.com and see what you can dig up.

[sticksnstonesru]

There would have to be some other electrical system supplying a voltage to the ignition system essentially over-baking the weakest link (ie. CPS). A short to ground...yes...could kill a component..but everything runs to ground eventually...Usually a short just keeps the system from working...a short to another voltage? That usually bacon-fries things...

At least on F-14's and F-18's...

I am certainly no pro-ASE-certified electrician...but I have been in the US Navy for the past 10 years as an Aviation Electrician.

I'd have to agree though that the hardest things to troubleshoot are the intermittent ones. I don't have a line on any harnesses. I take it you have traced all the wiring out with an ohmeter? Check for continuity? Sometimes the insulation of wiring gets old, brittle and can short out to other wiring an such...