Jeep Gone Bad

[misfitXJ_97]

I have a 97 XJ that I love but I think its taking a turn for the worse. Recently whenever i shift from park to drive or reverse it makes a load clunking noise I think that the trans. may be going but when I am driving it it doesnt act like anything is wrong with it. Another problem that I have is that I took the cat. off which causes it to throw a code every so often which makes the check engine light come on just recently the light came on same time it always does but now it hesitates when I start it and if I am sitting at a light and get on it it stutters and then takes off. Got no idea what to do, and I dont really want to take it to the shop I wanna start workin on it myself.

[fredjacksonsan]

Originally Posted by misfitXJ_97

I have a 97 XJ that I love but I think its taking a turn for the worse. Recently whenever i shift from park to drive or reverse it makes a load clunking noise I think that the trans. may be going but when I am driving it it doesnt act like anything is wrong with it. Another problem that I have is that I took the cat. off which causes it to throw a code every so often which makes the check engine light come on just recently the light came on same time it always does but now it hesitates when I start it and if I am sitting at a light and get on it it stutters and then takes off. Got no idea what to do, and I dont really want to take it to the shop I wanna start workin on it myself.

Your jeep isn't going bad, it's just telling you it needs a little TLC.

Need to know miles and engine to help better, but....

Clunking noise in drivetrain. My first thought is to check the Ujoints. Second is transmission mounts. Also, what RPMs do you have on idle? A high idle can cause the same problem.

You said it's throwing a code once and awhile. What codes are you getting?

A good tune up would probably go a long way to fixing the stutter.

[AlohaBra]

You said you took the cat off, it is there for a reason...to make the air cleaner and create less smog (CO, HC and NOx). However, you could use a high performance Cat, like a Random Technology. That could cause your idle to be too high also. While you are at it, you can use a header set for a little more horsepower (like the Borla).

Best regards,