Stuck!

I have a 97` XJ with 120K on it. About a year ago the check engine light came on, had it tested. O2 sensor #1 was bad. I didn't notice any change in driveabilty or performance, so why spend $80 for a new one. Almost a month ago my XJ started sputtering and backfireing around 25MPH. It acted like a garden hose when you first turn on the water. It only does it once, you can drive until you run out of gas and not worry about it again until you start it again. So I replaced both O2's and reset the codes. Didn't help, check engine light came back with all the same symptoms. Since then I have replaced my catalytic converter and muffler, checked over my ignition system: cap, rotor, plugs, wires, everything's fine. What else could cause it to do this? Is my ECU STUCK in "limp home mode"?

have you disconected the battery to reset puter ?

Yes, I've disconected the battery several times and the sputtering is still there. It doesn't allways do it right away. I'll get 2 blocks from my house and "chitty chitty bang bang". After that it runs normal. After I disconect the battery, the "check engine" light will come on a day or two later... Pull the codes and both O2 sensors say voltage too high or voltage too low. Could it be fuel related?

what are the code numbers?

sounds like the throttle position sensor

Would the throttle position sensor send a code? It is a sensor that sends a signal back to the puter. I would like to think it has it's own code, but I could be wrong. I don't remember what the code numbers are but they were related to the O2 sensors. I reset the codes 3 days ago and it's still sputtering, but I can't get the "check engine" light to come on. Please don't tell me to try a new "check engine" light bulb. I really hate the thought of taking my XJ to the dealership.

Not sure if it will give a specific code but the voltage can be measured with the diagnostic computer
it could be condensation inside the tps in which case is would be hard as hell to diagnose
if you could get another one to try instead of buying it you could rule it out that way
if you cant do it yourself you need to find a mechanic that will take the time and not just rely on codes

another possibility is a plugged fuel filter
thats a cheap part to replace and you should probably do it anyway if you dont know when it was replaced last

hope this helps :)

I think it's the fuel filter too. After learning that the filter and pump come as an assembly located inside the fuel tank, I doubt the filter has ever been changed. I'll get to ya next week when my tank is closer to empty.

Codes are a Starting Point in the Diagnostic Process!

Ok... Today the "check engine" light finaly came on. I cycled the key three times and the codes are as follows: 12, 45, 11, 55. If anyone can tell me what this means I'll send them a 6' blonde (gender of your choice).

Ok... Today the "check engine" light finaly came on. I cycled the key three times and the codes are as follows: 12, 45, 11, 55. If anyone can tell me what this means I'll send them a 6' blonde (gender of your choice).


HI, HAVE YOU CHECK THE WIRES ON THE OXYGEN SENSORS 12 IS BATTERY HAS BEEN DISCONNECTED RECENTLY 11 CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NO SIGNAL THERE IS NO 45 55 END OF CODES ON THE OLDER JEEPS WITH CARBS. 45 PRETAINED TO OXYGEN SENSOR DALE [email protected] :smokin:

You owe dale a 6' blonde...!

I'll send him one as long as he promises not to YELL at it. Thanx Dale... I don't care what Idaho says about you... YOU ROCK!

I'll send him one as long as he promises not to YELL at it. Thanx Dale... I don't care what Idaho says about you... YOU ROCK!

HI DON'T NEED THE 6FT. BLONDE JUST TELL ME WHAT IT TURNED OUT TO BE SO I CAN PUT ASIDE FOR SOMEONE ELSE WHO NEEDS HELP. DALE EMAIL ME AT [email protected]
i'm new at this computer thats why i ask them to email me can't send thru forum :nono: :screwy: :smokin:

I think it's the fuel filter too. After learning that the filter and pump come as an assembly located inside the fuel tank, I doubt the filter has ever been changed. I'll get to ya next week when my tank is closer to empty.

thats not the fuel filter bud thats a pickup filter for the pump to keep large chunks out of the pump. that you change IF you need to change the pump, its not a maintenance item
the fuel filter is on the frame rail on the drivers side about 6 to 12 inches from the tank, its a round canister about 4 inches long 2 inches in diameter with a metal bracket around it

I looked all over the drivers side frame rail, ran my hand along the fuel lines from the tank to the engine, and could not find a fuel filter on my 97'XJ. So I went to Auto Zone Auto Parts and asked them for a fuel filter. They looked it up in there computer and told me they don't have one and can not get one. Then I went to Murray's Discount Auto Parts and they told me the same thing. After that I asked the dude behind the computer for a fuel pump. "Ah-Ha", he said, "the filter is part of the pump assembly"! Thanx for your help, it would be sooooo much easier to change the filter if you were right. I was hopinng you would be, but my XJ is different.

About my codes. The battery was disconected (for obvious reasons). The cam shaft position sensor gave a code because I recently replaced my distributor (broke the hold down tab on my old one). Today I removed the GAS CAP before I started the engine. Isn't there a baffle or diafram that can get pluged in the cap? I think 1997 is the first year for a returnless fuel system. So it only makes sense that when you start the vehicle, fuel is pumped out of the tank creating a vacuume. Snap, crackel, backfire untill the mother #*%^in' GAS CAP pops. Meanwhile you are starving your engine of fuel, and your O2 snesor is telling the puter that it's running lean and sending a code. I didn't buy a new cap yet, but if anybody has a better idea, you have my attention.

I looked all over the drivers side frame rail, ran my hand along the fuel lines from the tank to the engine, and could not find a fuel filter on my 97'XJ. So I went to Auto Zone Auto Parts and asked them for a fuel filter. They looked it up in there computer and told me they don't have one and can not get one. Then I went to Murray's Discount Auto Parts and they told me the same thing. After that I asked the dude behind the computer for a fuel pump. "Ah-Ha", he said, "the filter is part of the pump assembly"! Thanx for your help, it would be sooooo much easier to change the filter if you were right. I was hopinng you would be, but my XJ is different.

About my codes. The battery was disconected (for obvious reasons). The cam shaft position sensor gave a code because I recently replaced my distributor (broke the hold down tab on my old one). Today I removed the GAS CAP before I started the engine. Isn't there a baffle or diafram that can get pluged in the cap? I think 1997 is the first year for a returnless fuel system. So it only makes sense that when you start the vehicle, fuel is pumped out of the tank creating a vacuume. Snap, crackel, backfire untill the mother #*%^in' GAS CAP pops. Meanwhile you are starving your engine of fuel, and your O2 snesor is telling the puter that it's running lean and sending a code. I didn't buy a new cap yet, but if anybody has a better idea, you have my attention.


HI, YOU'RE RIGHT THERE IS NO FUEL FILTER TO THE FRAME THERES 2 ON THE PUMP 1 ON BOTTOM OF PUMP AND 1 INSIDE THE MODULE ON FUEL PUMP I CHANGED MINE 97 CHEROKEE 4.0 USED CARTER PUMP FROM ADVANCE AUTO $89.99. CHECK YOUR WIRES FOR OXYGEN SENSOR AT CONVERTOR AND BY EXHAUST, AND FRONT DRIVE SHAFT. CHECK THE CAP SEE IF THERE IS ANY RUST MARKS ON IT IF SO I WOULD REPLACE IT. DALE [email protected] :nono: :smokin:
check the fuel pressure with a gauge at fuel rail 39-41 avg. tps doesn't always set a code sounds like it may be tps since reacts after a warm up.

Man im so sorry I steered you wrong, those canister filters have been on the frame for many years and models

by a cap that vents freely or grab a drill ....put your old cap in a vise.......and make it vent freely :D

Dale, I still plan to replace the filter and pump assembly, after 120K I think it's easier to do when it's warm outside. With my luck it would stop working when it's -30*f and 2' of snow. I thought about a fuel preasure gauge but I didn't know how many psi. I should have to begin with. I asked a friend that works for "BOSCH" about my problem, and he sugested the TPS also. After I do the cap and filter/pump, then the TPS. One thing at a time, I want to find out what caused this problem.

Weapon, Where is the picture of your truck taken at? Looks like a blast. Don't be sorry. The reason I bought my XJ is because not much has changed with them over the years. I was always so confident that there was nothing I couldn't diagnose and repair. I think my XJ is out to prove me wrong. You, Dale and BOSCH have sugested the tps. Maybe I should TAKE THE HINT???

Dale, I still plan to replace the filter and pump assembly, after 120K I think it's easier to do when it's warm outside. With my luck it would stop working when it's -30*f and 2' of snow. I thought about a fuel preasure gauge but I didn't know how many psi. I should have to begin with. I asked a friend that works for "BOSCH" about my problem, and he sugested the TPS also. After I do the cap and filter/pump, then the TPS. One thing at a time, I want to find out what caused this problem.

Weapon, Where is the picture of your truck taken at? Looks like a blast. Don't be sorry. The reason I bought my XJ is because not much has changed with them over the years. I was always so confident that there was nothing I couldn't diagnose and repair. I think my XJ is out to prove me wrong. You, Dale and BOSCH have sugested the tps. Maybe I should TAKE THE HINT???
HI, I CHANGED MINE , I USED A CARTER FUEL PUMP FROM ADVANCE AUTO $ 89.99 WITH WARRENARTY, USE NEW CLAMPS--ALL THERE IS A TIN PLATE THAT YOU HAVE TO REMOVE TO GET FILLER HOSES OFF, I USED A BLOCK OF WOOD TO REMOVE THE PLASTIC NUT THAT HOLDS PUMP IN TANK USE A LITTLE LIGHT GREASE ON THREADS OF PLASTIC NUT FUEL PRESSURE IS 39 LBS. THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR ON 96 CANNOT BE SERVICED SEPERATLY IF DEFECTIVE THE ENTIRE FUEL PUMP MODULE MUST BE REPLACED. DALE QUESTIONS HOLLER [email protected] :nono: :smokin:

just on the edge of winnipeg city
there is a gravel pit and a small bush there full of trails
as well as a muddy boggy area

nothing serious it just amounts to a 1 acre sandbox for big kids :)