1996 Jeep Cherokee: engine stalls while driving

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 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 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 Apr 23, 2008 · Engine · 150,000 miles · ID

At a slow roll while the vehicle is in gear the engine will idle down then die. It restarts immediately but will stall again unless more throttle is given. The problem is intermittent making it hard to pinpoint the exact cause.

Filed Nov 21, 2003 · Fuel system · 149,000 miles · NJ

While driving approximately 65 MPH with out any warning vehicle stalled. Vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the technician indicated the fuel tank disintegrated and clog the fuel line. Fuel tank was replaced at owner expense of $1.000.

Filed Feb 13, 2003 · Engine · NV

The vehicle stalled, which caused consumer to lose all power.*ak

Filed Jul 25, 2002 · Fuel system · PA

Consumer states the fuel pump is malfunctioning for the 5th time in 10 months. The vehicle will not start and stalls with no prior warning. Dealers service technician states apparently there is not enough gas circulating to the engine. The dealer was informed. Please provide more information.

Filed Apr 12, 2000 · Transmission · NY

When accelerating from a stop, my jeep will not go, it hesitates badly, seems to have no power. It does this daily. Not every time from a stop but quite often. I have taken this to a dealer in germany while stationed there and they could find nothing wrong with it or have any explaination on what is causing this problem. My jeep has less than 42,000 miles on it now and was under warranty when it first started doing this, it has been doing this for years. It is scary to pull out into traffic and have the car go no where, it is not stalling, it seems to loose go-power, maybe not enough fuel. I have am the primary driver of this vehicle and have to deal with this very often. Is anyone else having this problem? Please help.

Filed Sep 7, 1998 · Engine · PR

While driving the engine overheated. The vehicle also stalled and the steering wheel locked and the truck would not turn back on.

Filed Aug 24, 1998 · Engine · PR

While traveling the vehicle would stall with out indications. Manufacturer has been contacted. Please provide further informaton.