1989 Cherokee 6cyl shuts off while driving
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Hello I was driving my 1989 Jeep cherokee (4.0l,auto) to home and the motor stopped without warning. All of a sudden the engine just like cuts out and leaves me sitting. And then it doesn't want to start up, but after about 30 minutes or so, it fires right up. , so could someone tell me what is wrong with it? .
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I have replaced battery, starter, and distributor cap, alternator at one time.
But, Still motor cuts off without warning. It has a new motor and new Transmission

Please help ME

Thank you

Mike Moore

Could be a clogged fuel filter. That would be the first thing I would check. If you have a new transmission then the crankshaft position sensor should also be new (you would hope).

Do all of the guages and electrical stuff stop at the same time?
My 88 Jeep was doing that and it turned out to be the ignition switch.

You can take a volt meter and hook it up to any +12V wire that is on when the ignition is on (12 V wire on spark coil). Tape the meter to your windshield. When the car dies if the meter also showes 0 volts then your switch is bad.

The switch is cheep. You have to drop the steering column to replace it but that is easyer then it sounds.

I had this problem with my 89 ford 1/2 ton 5.0L. After changing just about all the electrical components it ended up being a short in the distributor shaft. Replaced the distributor and bang worked great. SO if you have an extra one kicking around or have a friend with one try it out. good luck!

I'd check your ignition switch.... I think that's your culprit. the switch gets worn over time, and the internal springs get worn out... time for a new switch, and keys..

It sounds like what happened to my 89 limited. I believe its called the throttle sensor. Had the same symptoms you explained, and the jeep would start with no problem when i took it to the mechanic, but he ran a diagnostic and found the problem. Part has to be ordered from dealer...not an easy DIY; tranny must be removed to replace.

Hope this helps you out.

Check you catalatic converter. I bet it is plugged up and overheats. Takes about 30 minutes to cool. Happened to me on a 89 I6,4.0. When it dies next take a look at it, I bet it is red hot. Good luck

1989 Cherokee 6cyl shuts off while driving
------------------------------------------
Hello I was driving my 1989 Jeep cherokee (4.0l,auto) to home and the motor stopped without warning. All of a sudden the engine just like cuts out and leaves me sitting. And then it doesn't want to start up, but after about 30 minutes or so, it fires right up. , so could someone tell me what is wrong with it? .
-------------------------------------------
I have replaced battery, starter, and distributor cap, alternator at one time.
But, Still motor cuts off without warning. It has a new motor and new Transmission

Please help ME

Thank you

Mike Moore




hi, first find out if you have spark at the plugs then check for spark at the coil wire. remove the wire from distributor cap and check for spark. if you check both places and don't have spark your crankshaft position sensor maybe bad. dale jeepman600@aol.com

i vote for the crank sensor or tdc sensor as it was called back then.listen to dale

If your driving down the road with your cruise on and you feel the jeep cut-out then pick back up at cruising speeds...that's a good candidate for a crank-shaft position sensor...35 bucks and a 10 minute job to replace it.
Eventually the sensor will get worse and the drop-out will get worse to the point the car will not start....if your unlucky it will die on the road.
Personally, I would replace the crank shaft position sensor every 60 or 70k miles. For 35 bucks I'd rather not get stuck on the road.

30 to 1 the crank-shaft position sensor needs replacing rather then the coil module. So look at the mileage on your car and if you have 60 or 70k from the last replacement of the CS position sensor, replace it.

It sounds like what happened to my 89 limited. I believe its called the throttle sensor. Had the same symptoms you explained, and the jeep would start with no problem when i took it to the mechanic, but he ran a diagnostic and found the problem. Part has to be ordered from dealer...not an easy DIY; tranny must be removed to replace.

Hope this helps you out.

Ldubbz: Throtle Position Sensor does not have to be ordered by dealer, nore does it require the tranny to be removed. The location of the TPS is side of the throtle body atop the intake manifold. $95.00 at advance for 4.0 with auto tranny

Ldubbz: You might be confused with the CPS (Crank Position Sensor) located the top of the bell housing on the transmission. Even this does not require the tranny to be removed. As dificult to reach without 2 swivel heads and 3 extensions. You got ripped off if you had yours replaced in such a manor.

1989jeeokee: Now for the most likely explaination:

Check / Replace the ground in the fuel tank attached between the fuel pump and the sending unit assembly.

Unless you get lucky and find the problem right away, you need to do some more troubleshooting. As Dale suggest's, you need to determine if the problem is an ignition or fuel delivery problem. Run it and wait for it to die. Then check for spark as Dale says, and check for fuel pressure at the rail. Once you determine which system to look at, you'll know more about where specifically to look and what components can cause it.

Having said that, my '88 did a similar thing and it was the CPS. ;)