Idles fine, Shift in gear and it sputters and dies

smitkev2 · 04-24-2008, 03:47 PM

I've been having this problem off and on. Some weeks its great, others (like today), it runs badly. It will idle fine, but drove it only about 5 miles and it starts sputtering. I pull off and it will idle ok (in Neutral {I've got an Auto}), then when I put it in gear it either dies or runs but sputters. I've read that this could be the coil going bad? I've replaced the fuel filter/ spark plugs & wires several times.

Sometimes if it sputters and I leave it alone for about 20 mins, it will be fine again and run. Whats weird is this problem is not constant, its hit or miss (some weeks fine, some not).

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

eraten · 04-24-2008, 03:51 PM

are you getting any weird sounds or vibrations when its in gear? and does your jeep have a working tachometer?

tcourdin · 04-24-2008, 03:55 PM

I had a truck act kind of like this many years ago, it turned out to be a safety switch on the transmission went bad. It's the switch that will only allow the the vehicle to start only in park or neutral. Dunno if thats whats wrong with yours or not but it's worth checking.

I've also had a fuel pump that would run fine one minute, then quit working the next. It took forever to get it figured out.

I hate problems like that that are intermittent, I just wish it would break!

Coils are pretty cheap, probably worth replacing if you think it could be the culprit.

yjcrawlr · 04-24-2008, 05:05 PM

Sounds like the choke is on.

smitkev2 · 04-24-2008, 06:20 PM

The jeep has a working tach. I don't get any werid vibrations other than the motor tying to both stay running and trying to quit at the same time. HA.

Choke? I have never thought to check that. I just need to make sure the plates are wide open if the choke is off correct? The choke closes the plates if I remember correctly.

Thanks

yjcrawlr · 04-24-2008, 09:19 PM

If you can see strait thru you are fine if a butterfly is closed it will probably run but when you need power it will choke out.

04-24-2008, 03:55 PM	#3
tcourdin Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Fayetteville, AR Posts: 1,627 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I had a truck act kind of like this many years ago, it turned out to be a safety switch on the transmission went bad. It's the switch that will only allow the the vehicle to start only in park or neutral. Dunno if thats whats wrong with yours or not but it's worth checking. I've also had a fuel pump that would run fine one minute, then quit working the next. It took forever to get it figured out. I hate problems like that that are intermittent, I just wish it would break! Coils are pretty cheap, probably worth replacing if you think it could be the culprit. __________________ 88 Wrangler, Rebuilt I6, NV3550,Atlas 2,B&M Shifter,38/38 Weber, Skyjacker Lift & Nitro Shocks & Stabilizer, Black Diamond Discos, 35 " Regul MT's & Outlaw 2 Alum Wheels, 4.88 Gears, Dana 35 & Super 35 kit & Detroit Soft Locker, Dana 30 & Superior Axles & Detroit Soft Locker & No Disco, SRC Front & Rear Bumpers, SRC Side Armor, Warn XD 9000 I Winch & In Cab Controls, OR Fab Tire & Can Carrier, Rock Hard 4x4 Full Cage, Hood Rack & Hi Lift & AX, Outland Seats, KC & Silverstar.