88 Cherokee stalling fixed

[pearlheartgtr]

Hi all,

88 Cherokee 4.0L 4x4

I just wanted to toss this one out there for those who have problems with their Cherokee's stalling when slowing down or stopping. And mine was doing it just about every time I took my foot off the gas or hit the brake.

To try and fix this problem, I had installed a new IAC, new injectors (a couple of years ago), brake booster, and a new Crank Position Sensor. I checked for vacuum leaks and didn't find any. The problem either stayed the same with each part installed or got worse.

I was going to replace the EGR valve but we checked it out and it was working fine.

With the CPS, I wanted to clean out the throttle body. Today we installed a new CPS and the problem was worse. So we opened up the throttle body and cleaned it up with some carb cleaner. Didn't change anything. Then just for the sake of trying because it was all or nothing and I was going to end up sending a wrench through the windshield, we tightened down the throttle body itself (1/2-3/4 turn on each bolt). Ya know what? It worked! No more stalling or bogging down. I also had a problem with my brakes (a vacuum problem) and it is all good to go!

I ordered a new gasket for it (throttle body) and will be changing it tomorrow just to have some security.

So it just goes to show that sometimes it is the most innane and least expensive things that slip our minds that fix the problem. And this is after I had some friends who are mechanics at Chrysler dealerships and own Cherokees themselves look at my truck time and time again and couldn't find the problem.

Have a good one! and I hope this will help someone out in the future.

[fredjacksonsan]

Wow, good catch. Isn't the first time a couple of loose bolts hurt performance!

[pearlheartgtr]

Yeah, it kills me after I spent a chunk of money on parts, but those were also parts that were going to have to be replaced sometime in the near future anyway since the first (and previous owner) did no maintenance on the truck or did a real shotty job at what he did do. Case in point, a bad case of overheating was solved by opening up the thermostat to find it caked and clogged with RTV. We found many other parts with the same workmanship. It was used with the spirit in which it was made and then some.

But I am still going to change the throttle body gasket and take the TB off and clean it real good just for sanity sake.

I forgot to add that I also replaced the O2 sensor in the original post. Didn't fix the problem, but got me some better gas mileage!

[Stick89]

I know the feeling.....bought my 89'..in 99'It's the 1st JEEP I've ever owned....I have replaced
CPS
ISM
ECM
Radiator
Water Pump
Swapped from the closed cooling system to the open
Coil
Ignition Module
Gettin ready to do the TPS
Then there is the Rear Main Seal
Bout the only thing I haven't changed is the dirt in the carpet
Been a learning experience lemmee tellya....BUT forums like this and some others I frequent have certainly helped ease the "pain"....so I in turn try to help as many JEEP owners as I possibly can.....As the saying goes "What goes around comes around"
Hope everybody had an uneventful News Year Eve....and speaking from experience....
Hangovers....
1.Don't get up till the room stops spinning
2.Get up and work the hangover to death.....