Questions and Answers

Jeep Cherokee Craps Out Q. Hiya Vince, Thanks for your site. As a shadetree'r every so often when something comes up I come to this site to help get pointed in the right direction. And I believe my problem may actually be pretty simple, just a pain in finding.

I've got a 1981 full-size Jeep Cherokee 4x4 automatic transmission, 4.2 liter. While driving, speed not a factor, the engine will just cut-out and die, very sudden. It feels like an electrical problem, not fuel. While driving over a pretty big bump it seemed like it would cut off for a split second and then everything would be okay.

When I replaced the computer, rotor, cap, plugs (it has pointless ignition) and fuel filter it was running great. Now the same problem has started again after a month or so later. But just yesterday evening it died on me on the street while coasting and it would not start for five minutes or so. I tapped the computer module lightly with some pliers and tried some other connections and it started.

But this morning while driving on the freeway it died on me over eight times. I would have to put it in neutral and try to start and after a couple of seconds it would turnover; sometimes very unwillingly. The problem was never this acute, it would do this every so often but not like this last time. I've checked all of the major electrical ignition connections but nada.

I don't think it's the coil because from what I understand the coil either works or it doesn't. I don't think it's a fuel problem because it if dies and I get out I can smell fuel; probably from it being flooded while I am trying to start it. Any suggestions on diagnosing this?

Thanks,
Dave

A. Well Dave, it's possible for a coil to work and not work and then decide to work again.

A very common problem with these ignition systems was the pick-up inside the distributor. So that would be my best guess at this point. Also, check the pole piece to see if there are any cracks. You might also be looking at a bad Ignition Control Module.