Questions and Answers

Jeep Cherokee Stumbles & Stalls Q. Dear Vince: I need your help! My 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo, 4.0 liter 6 cylinder 170,000 miles, has been hesitating, stalling, and even dying when hot. But it will always start back up after it dies. It always seems to hesitate and stall while accelerating after a stop or near stop. But after a few seconds, it will return to normal engine function only to reoccur at the next stop.

It normally starts dying after it's been stalling and hesitating for about 15 minutes. At that point it'll normally die at a stop sign and will sometimes die while making a right turn; but it never dies while making a left turn.

Also, while at a stop sign, it'll normally jut as if it's trying to accelerate while I'm braking. Another symptom I've noticed occurs while driving down the highway. It'll sometimes react in a series of hard jolts if I hit a bump while applying constant throttle. But this "jolting" stops after I release then reapply throttle, only to occur again after I hit another bump. This "jolting" feels as if it's occurring at the rear; it feels almost like someone is repeatedly rear ending me.

I checked the OBD and it didn't report anything wrong. A few of my friends have suggested a number of things, but I feel it would be best to get advice from someone experienced in auto repair! I have replaced the fuel filter, plug wires, spark plugs, and have tried several retail gas treatments, all of which I was told would fix the problem.

Other people have told me it could be that my fuel tank is rusted, I have water in my tank, my fuel injectors are dirty, my catalytic converter is bad, or one of my plugs are misfiring.

I'm also having an electrical problem. My left turn signal is malfunctioning. When I use my left turn signal, my dashboard lights flash and both turn signals flash as if my emergency flashers were on. But when I turn on my headlights, my left signal indicator stays lit and if I use my left turn signal, nothing happens. Could this be related to my engine problem in some way?

I appreciate any insight you could provide. Even if you are not sure what the cause is, I'm confident you'll point me in the right direction.

Again, Thank you for your patience.
Joseph

A. It sounds like you have a Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) problem. What I would suggest is to unplug the connector at the transmission and drive it. If the problem clears up, then it is the TCC or the TCC control system.

Another likely possibility is the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS). The TPS sends a signal to the Transmission Control Module (TCM) and if it is bad it will stop sending that signal.

As for the turn signal problem. It sounds like there is an incorrect bulb in one of the turn signal sockets of one of those bulbs are shorted out.