1996 Jeep Cherokee electrical problems

Filed Nov 20, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · 223,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 1996 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle was running rough and then stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to the residence. The contact had a mobile mechanic diagnose the vehicle, and it was determined that there was a failure of the manifold. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was not running properly and called another mobile mechanic. The second mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that an aftermarket distributor and aftermarket computer had both failed. The contact stated that the distributor and computer were installed previously by another independent mechanic. The contact had purchased the aftermarket parts, Cardone Distributor Part Number 84-4694, and Cardone Computer Part Number: 79-1199 Model Number: 04886961, online. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and declined to stand behind the aftermarket computer and distributor parts. The failure mileage was approximately 223,000.

Filed Mar 11, 2020 · Electrical, Fuel system · 16,665 miles · AZ

The jeep will start to shake whenever you hit a bump really bad shaking . Also whenever you come to a stop after driving 10 miles the most , the car will not turn on again for about 20 minutes. At some point I rocked the car from side to side and after that it will start. Also too the steering column seems loose . My shocks like it don't even have any

Filed Jun 24, 2016 · Electrical · 120,000 miles · MT

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 jeep cherokee. While driving various speeds, the speedometer seized without warning and the vehicle began to decelerate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed May 22, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · PR

While driving at aprox. 40-45 MPH, the jeep would start to shudder. Eventually it would shut off. The jeep would then crank but not start. I had this problem happen for about four times. Three of the times the jeep was towed to a repair shop. Twice the PCM unit was replaced and twice the crank position sensor was also replaced. The last repair was 1 month and a half ago. Two days ago, the jeep stalled again down the road. I was traveling with my wife and children. We almost lost our lives. A 16 wheeler almost collided with us due that I could barely manipulate the jeep because it turned off on me. I tried to do some visual inspections under the hood. I had one of my sons to wiggle the PCM (computer) while I cranked the starting switch. At one point the jeep managed to start again. Then it stalled the moment my son stopped wiggling the PCM. I had another tow truck pick up the jeep and send it back to the mechanic. Chrysler has not corrected this issue on the PCM and perhaps might not do it until one day someone gets seriously hurt. Videos on youtube show other jeep cherokee owners having the same problem 1996-2001.

Filed Mar 12, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 224,000 miles · GA

Vehicle began stalling when coming to an abrupt stop or being jarred by a bump or pot hole. Gradually progressed to randomly stalling when applying any pressure to brakes or any slight jarring. All power is lost at this time along with any control of steering and accelerating until vehicle is turned on again. Recently vehicle repeatedly and intermittently stalls without any pattern during acceleration or deceleration at any speed without any braking or jarring. It then catches on its own and regains power.

Filed Oct 3, 2013 · Electrical · 151,950 miles · PR

While leaving home from work, the vehicle started to shutter and fail. I managed to get home at a speed of 40mph since I noticed that at a higher speed, the vehicle would try to stall. The next day I tried to turn on the vehicle but it would not turn on. I called a certified mechanic and received instructions thru cell phone to shake a bit the cables to computer components and cables to distributor components. The vehicle turned on but with problems. I managed to drive to mechanic shop where the cherokee was left for testing and repairs. The diagnostics showed a faulty computer. The computer was replaced. About three months later, the vehicle stalled again at a cross road and turned off. A truck nearly struck me because I couldn't get out on time. The mechanic had to show up at the site and had some problems starting the cherokee. The diagnostics, another blown computer. The mechanic ordered another computer with upgrade (had to wait about a month) original crank shaft sensor was added. All seemed to work well until yesterday oct/2/2013 when I went out for a ride with my son and the cherokee stalled and turned off. The same symptoms as before. I have spent about $1,000.00 trying to get my jeep cherokee to run properly and now I'm afraid to take it out to the street. I have a family of 4 and I worry that the cherokee would fail me by stalling again at a crossroad causing a fatal accident to me or my family because of this electrical failure. All cables were checked for shorts but nothing solves the problem. I did some recall search but nothing official although some jeep grand cherokee users report the same problems for their 4.0l engine (my jeep cherokee is also 4.0l) coincidence? I love my cherokee but feel that I can't rely anymore on it as for safety. Had it for about 6 years without problems the first 5 years.

Filed Dec 6, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · 131,862 miles · KY · fire

I was driving down the highway,and all of a sudden I heard a loud noise. So I pulled over to the nearest gas station and realized I was leaking oil profusely. Then I realized the driver side motor mount had broken off of the engine causing a large hole in the engine block. I have taken great care of my vehicle, changed the oil every 3,000 miles, and then this happens at random. I didn't hit anything to cause the motor mount to break, so why would it break for no reason? Anyways, the leaking oil caused a fire beneath my vehicle, and inside the engine compartment. But I quickly put out the fire by a container of water I had in my vehicle. I had my 13 year old brother with me and thank god he or myself was not injured. But it caused us great fear and stress.

Filed Apr 23, 2012 · Electrical · 176,010 miles · NM · fire

With time the blower motor wiring harness (which is too small for the amperage) in these vehicles invariably heats up and melts or burns. The melting of the harness and connector behind the blower speed selector switch in the dash and the burning of the switch itself occured in my vehicle, allong with the failure of the blower motor resistor, but in many vehicles the resistor is the first to burn and fail. I have looked at over 20 of these vehicles ranging from 1991 to 1996, and 30000 to 220000 miles, and every single one one them had these components melted and burned to the point of not being usable, and making one wonder how many other vehicles have caught fire and burned because of this fault. Some of these vehicles also showed associated wires burned or melted in the steering column. An associated symptom is that the blower motor ceases to function, or (in the case of resistor failure, will usually work only on high speed). This shows a defect that may take time to manifest, but will always occur eventually in every vehicle unless the blower is never used. The blower switch to resistor wiring harness and switch connector/plug are not even available from dealers, but the switch itself and the resistor are available as aftermarket items. However, if replaced, these will fail too, unless the wiring in this circuit is replaced with heavier guage wiring or somehow protected from high amperage. As evidenced by hundreds of related complaints on internet forums, this is a serious problem that could result in fires, and potentially loss of life. Luckily my fire was minor, did little damage and was quickly extinguished. However, I'm not sure how to resolve the actual problem properly, since oem replacement parts will sooner or later develop the same problems, and available aftermarket parts are not improved over the originals.

Filed Apr 1, 2012 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 125,005 miles · CA

Car stalls while driving with no warning. Stalls on freeway or in city driving. This is an infamous manufacturing defect on 96 jeeps. Very hazardous because engine cuts out completely while in motion. Requires pulling over with engine not running to restart engine. Jeep then will repeatedly die after re-starting. Since engine dies while in motion, cars behind are in real danger of colliding with my vehicle. This issue is almost impossible to fix with normal mechanical problem-solving. Engine light does not come on. This issue is well documented in online blogs for jeeps with this problem. This problem with stalling while in motion poses a great threat to public safety. Jeep/chrysler is aware and does not acknowledge the problem.

Filed Aug 5, 2011 · Electrical · 61,015 miles · PA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 jeep cherokee. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH with the air conditioner activated on high, smoke began to emit from the ignition switch. The air conditioner was turned off in order to stop the smoke from emitting. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 61,015.