97 Jeep GC cutting out

[dksob81]

keep us posted.

[a_pathetic_noob]

...I have the same problem of turning left and accelerating when I lose power, like vapor lock. As mentioned in an earlier reply, this tends to happen most often when the fuel level is somewhat below the halfway point....

lloydjv,

I guess I'll also chime in. I have the same issue and I'm glad that I'm not the only one with this peculiar symptom because I get the "what-chu-talkin-bout-willis" look when I describe this problem. My '97 JGC Limited 5.2L cuts out only when turning left and below 1/4 of a tank...pretty scary when turning left through an intersection with oncoming traffic.

I took the JGC to the Jeep dealer and they replaced rotor, wiring, and idle air control valve. That improved the acceleration, but the cut out with left turn is still there. The fact that they didn't know the problem made me wary to go back with another wad of cash. Instead, I invested in the Haynes manual and I'm looking at the fuel pump module....BUT, I don't have a test port on my fuel rails so I'm having a little difficulty finding a fuel pressure gauge to prove it. I'd skip the test, but the only place I can find a replacement pump module is at the Jeep dealer at a jaw-dropping $309. Oh, and they don't sell the fuel pressure regulator seperately from the pump module. I was able to figure out that the pump at least turns on by having my wife turn the ignition to the "on" position while I held my ear to the gas tank (still alive to post this message :P ).

The post describing the fuel level and the cracked "feed tube" sounds pretty convincing, assuming that the fuel shifting right completely chokes off the fuel delivery. Thanks for all of your posts. I feel that I've made a lot of progress in finding a solution tonight. At least this problem is not as obscure as I originally had thought. If I figure this out, I'll come back and post.

Cheers,
a_pathetic_noob

[dksob81]

a pathetic noob - 1 question before I continue, Does the Gas cap still click when you tighten it?

your problem is the gas cap isn't holding pressure - replace the cap. The tru sign of this is when the clicks don't click no more when you tighten it.

[a_pathetic_noob]

Yes, it still clicks. I'm headed out to the Jeep dealership right now to see if someone knows anything about this "left turn thingy" and I'll pick up an overpriced MOPAR gas cap and put it on if they give me the same blank look.

It will take me a while to get the fuel level below a quarter of a tank to let you all know how I make out. If the dealer has any insight, I'll post as well.

[a_pathetic_noob]

Ok, all. Here's how it went. I wasn't surprised to see the same blank look. I went on and explained that many others have had the same problem turning left. He suggested the fuel pump module and I told him that there were some that had already replaced their fuel pump and it didn't fix the problem. His reply was, "Well did they buy them at <<insert a couple of major car parts chains>>?" I didn't know, and of course he said that parts bought from those car parts stores probably won't make a difference (so if you want to be taken seriously at a dealership, you have to buy MOPAR).

So off I went to the parts department to get my $17 gas cap. I talked to the guy behind the counter who looked pretty sharp, so I asked him about it. He says that his Jeep does the same thing and that the gas tanks aren't baffled enough to keep the fuel from pulling away from the fuel pump when you turn, thus the sputtering and stalling. He says that the later models have sponges and more baffles to keep the fuel from sloshing around and those later models don't have this issue.

He went through his TSBs and came up with a recall for '97 Grand Cherokees manufactured before 6/1/1997 and said that I could get the fuel pump module replaced for free if I qualified. The recall was for a faulty fuel pump module (they call it "sending unit") that gives a false fuel level reading, giving the driver the impression that there is plenty of fuel when in reality, the fuel tank's empty. I did qualify for the recall and, hoping for a free fuel pump module replacement to solve this mystery, I pulled my VIN and went back to the guy with the blank look and asked him to check my VIN for the recall. It had already been replaced.

Soooo, back to the gas cap. It turns out that my gas tank was a quarter full (optimist), so I took a good hard left turn and pushed the gas and it still sputters.

I hate to squash hopes of some of you, but you may just have to live with this malady as a poor fuel tank design. I'd think that something like this would prompt a recall, but I guess not. So there's my short story, long.

Cheers,
a_pathetic_noob

[Caribbean ZJ]

Change the Gas Cap with an original Mopar one.

[a_pathetic_noob]

As the story was told, I went to the Jeep dealer and bought a gas cap. It was a MOPAR and it didn't make a difference.

Good luck everyone.