1997 Jeep Cherokee engine problems

Filed Jun 2, 2016 · Engine, Fuel system · 195,000 miles · WA

Vehicle has hard starts and frequent hesitation and stalling, at all speeds city street driving as well as highway driving. I have had a new distributor cap, rotor, plugs, wires, coil, installed, yet symptoms persist. Sudden deceleration at highway speeds is a seriously dangerous condition. My research suggests this is a common problem with the jeep cherokee xj. I narrowly escaped a crash on a busy interstate highway this morning at freeway speeds. Jeep ought to be aware of this problem, yet there seems to be no remedy for owners. I would at least like to know what the problem is. Possible remedies (from my research) include multiple parts and many hours of labor: o2 sensor, throttle position sensor, crankshaft position sensor, plugs, wires, cap, rotor, fuel pressure regulator, engine control module, alternator, neutral safety switch, ballast resistor, transmission control module, torque convertor, power control module, transmission control solenoid, etc. What is causing all of these vehicles to stall dangerously?

Filed Feb 23, 2016 · Engine · 120,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 jeep cherokee. While the vehicle was undergoing routine maintenance, the technician diagnosed that the exhaust manifold cracked and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Feb 18, 2016 · Engine, Fuel system · 150,000 miles · CT

I have a 1997 jeep with 150,000 miles on it and I am having a lot of issues with it stalling out for no reason. It's been doing this for over a year. It started all of a sudden out of the blue. I have taken it to the repair shop over 20 times to try and get the problem resolved and they are not able to find the problem. They have even kept it over night and had it on machines to figure out why it stalls and am not able to figure it out. I have replace sensors, fuel filter, battery, not to mention so many other parts and nothing is stopping it from stalling out for no reason. I have spent so much money and I love my jeep but I am real nervous to drive it that I might go to turn and the jeep will stall while turning a corner and get t-boned by oncoming traffic. Or driving on the highway and all of a sudden it will sputter and stall out. I have read that "many" jeeps are having the same issue, can someone please from the safety car site look into this as there will be a family in this type of vehicle driving and the problem could occure and cause a diaster in someones life. I have driven in differant ares on the road, highway, residential areas, going the speed limit, and also going 15 miles an hour and it wil stall out. I have again seen so many posting regarding this issue so there has got to be some kind of a manufacturing problem with these jeeps ...please, please look into this.

Filed Aug 24, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 130,000 miles · FL

1997 jeep grand cherokee laredo 4.0l i6 began stalling in 2010 under seemingly random conditions. Replaced several parts (spark plugs, wires, distributor cap & rotor, ignition coil, PCM) over the past four years to no avail. The difference currently is that the stall now only seems to occur at temperatures less than 65-70 degrees f. The colder the environment, the worse stall probability. Colder temps also increase probability vehicle will not start after a stall. Vehicle will always fire up on a cold start. Stall occurs at varying speeds (including at idle), but above approximately 40 MPH stall becomes what seems like a misfire. Believe I have narrowed the problem down to an intermittent connection in the wiring harness, either at the gray PCM connector (closest to body), or in the wire leading to this connector. Putting enough pressure on the wires under the PCM in a certain direction will cause the vehicle to hiccup or stall. Only code ever shown related to stall was the unspecific p0351 ignition system code. Fortunately, if a stall occurs at higher speeds, engine/vehicle speed must still drop to a certain level before power steering/braking are lost. Otherwise vehicle would be too dangerous to drive. Nevertheless this is still a hazardous condition.

Filed Apr 22, 2014 · Engine · TX

Car will not start anymore, it used to turn off at lights, or stop signs. Now it just wont turn on at all. I see a lot of complaints about this same issue. What can be done without costing me a fortune.

Filed Apr 15, 2013 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 150,156 miles · GA

Vic display show "coolant sensor bad." online investigations reveal many owners have experienced the same problem over the years. Their trial solutions have ranged from replacing the "coolant temperature sensor," the coolant level sensor," replacing "connecting wiring" to the vic, and to removing the vic to repair solder joints and cracks at the circuit board that is located in the vic. Most report that the first three attempted remedies did not resolve the defect. Some report success in re-soldering joints on the circuit board. The latter,--removing the vic and repairs at the circuit board-- is an involved process and requires extensive knowledge and repair tools and equipment. All report that this condition left unresolved could lead to the engine overheating and/or faulty data sent to the fuel injection system, and possible engine fire. With so many complaints on this defect, a recall or a manufacture repair bulletins, should be issued at the manufacturer's expense.

Filed Oct 14, 2012 · Engine · 183,188 miles · UT

The vehicle stalls unexpectedly when slowing down or coming to a stop. The check engine light is on, however; the code that comes up is for the ignition which was already repaired and not the issue causing at hand. This malfunction is freakishly common when I look it up online for this make, model, and year. This problem is very dangerous as it may or can cause death or serious injury if in intersection or busy road/highway. Please notify me of any solutions or information on this matter.

Filed Sep 5, 2012 · Acceleration, Brakes · 149,000 miles · FL

Went out to go somewhere and it had a hard time starting. As I began to drive down the road my jeep started to backfire, all of a sudden it cut off and the steering wheel locked up and the lights went out it was dark so I could of been injured. When I got it to crank back my ABS light has been on ever since and we have bought about 5 hundred dollars in parts and tried everything we know to do even the mechanics we have asked about it have no answers for us, we can't afford to buy another vehicle and no one wants to buy it from us because of all of the problems we have had with our jeep!

Filed Feb 5, 2008 · Engine · 165,000 miles · WA

I own a 1997 jeep grand cherokee 4.0 l6 two wheel drive with 165,000 miles. I was driving down the highway at 65 and the engine died. Thankfully I was on an empty highway and was able to drive into the emergency lane. This happened four times since. I still had power but the engine would not respond. I took it to the dealer who could not find the problem. I have since heard of this happening to many 1990's jeeps, with no real known cause or cure. I changed the oil, spark plugs and cleaned the fuel lines. I will attempt to replace the PCM. This is a very dangerous instance and I am frustrated that none of the mechanics that I have been to, even dealers, could find the problem, and just allowed me to continue down the road. If a cure for this problem is found I would like to be contacted.

Filed Jan 20, 2004 · Engine, Transmission · 164,000 miles · MI

Engine check light continued to stay on. Transmission control module malfunctioned.