My XJ hates me... Stalling problems.

[CaptainZoom]

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Dear all.
I have a XJ -89 with a weird problem.
The symptoms are these:
1. Engine, in normal working temperature, stalls in low revs. When stopping or turning corners.
2. Loosing torque/power in low revs. (At least 50%.) But comes back when given full throttle.
3. Theres no servo in brakes. I.E brake pedal is hard as a rock, but the brakes are working fine.
4. Extremely fluttering idle. from 300-1500 RPM!
All these problems came at the same time

By the way, the electrical system is completely new, from distributor to plugs. New air filter, coil OK, "idle engine" (CPS or TPS? Don´t know actual terme) The little thingie that looks like a bullet... is OK
How do I know? Friend has a -89 too and i tried putting it in his car, turned out OK

I took the car to a friend of mine who works at Chrysler, and he plugged it into his computer. The reading said "engine is loosing vacuum".
What could cause this vacuum loss? All hoses looking OK
I know that my intake gasket is leaking some, but is it enough to cause all these problems?
Is there anyone who has an idea? I´m totally lost...

[kmerian]

Had same stalling problems with my 89 XJ, have you replaced the fuel filter? That's what fixed it with mine.

[Ironic]

Think your best bet would be to replace the intake gasket- clean the intake up as much as possible- including egr valve passages, and reassemble. Gasket has to be replaced anyway- if problem still exists, go check each vacuum operated switch and valve with a hand vacuum pump to see where your losing the vacuum.

[Saudade]

There are about a bazillion small hoses all over the dang thing. Anyone could be loose or broken and cause what you are experiencing.

Look here for the diagram: http://tinyurl.com/4q8zw

[CaptainZoom]

Thanks everybody, I´ll check hoses and replace gasket. As U said "Ironic", -has to do that anyway.
Don´t think the fuelfilter needs to be replaced though, the damned car wants about ½ gallon for every 10km (16miles) to move my butt around. So fuelflow is more thhan sufficient... But thanks anyhow

[glennco1]

So you're getting 32 mpg in an XJ. Is that possible?

After it stalls, does it start right back up again? If so I say EGR.

But, if you say your intake gasket is leaking , that could easily be the issue. All vacuum is controlled by the intake manifold, and if your gasket is leaking, you are going to see a loss of vacuum, which is going to cause a bunch of issues.

[Cam7]

Clean the throttle body they get carboned and gunked up. Also check your IAC mine went bad and never threw a code.

[CaptainZoom]

32mpg means 32miles per gallon?
Sorry folks, I´m Swedish... We use the metric system, so I probably have the gallon/litre or Km/miles wrong. 1 gallon=close to 4 litres?
1,6Km =1 mile?
Anywho, it averages 2litres per 10km in this condition.
Yes,"Cam7", throttle body has been cleaned. What is, the IAC, and where is it located?
"Glennco", Yes it starts right back up without problems. However, when engine is in operating temperature, I need to keep accelerator slightly depressed to prevent it from stalling.
I guess that the choke takes care of that when engine is cold
But sometimes it idles up to 1500rpm or more.
(I´ts just like it can´t decide how to best mess with me)
Do U know a way to check the EGR?
Thanx for all input guys!

[[Fe]weapon]

Originally Posted by CaptainZoom

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Dear all.
I have a XJ -89 with a weird problem.
The symptoms are these:
1. Engine, in normal working temperature, stalls in low revs. When stopping or turning corners.
2. Loosing torque/power in low revs. (At least 50%.) But comes back when given full throttle.
3. Theres no servo in brakes. I.E brake pedal is hard as a rock, but the brakes are working fine.
4. Extremely fluttering idle. from 300-1500 RPM!
All these problems came at the same time

By the way, the electrical system is completely new, from distributor to plugs. New air filter, coil OK, "idle engine" (CPS or TPS? Don´t know actual terme) The little thingie that looks like a bullet... is OK
How do I know? Friend has a -89 too and i tried putting it in his car, turned out OK

I took the car to a friend of mine who works at Chrysler, and he plugged it into his computer. The reading said "engine is loosing vacuum".
What could cause this vacuum loss? All hoses looking OK
I know that my intake gasket is leaking some, but is it enough to cause all these problems?
Is there anyone who has an idea? I´m totally lost...

This one should be fairly simple the vacuum leak is causing the low idle condition, the master cylinder is attached to a large round vacuum pod this has a rubber diaphram in the middle with engine vacuum on one side this vacuum pod helps to push the plunger into the master cylinder.
So... no vacuum... hard pedal
If fixing the intake leak does not cure the problem your brake booster itself could be leaking or the large hose going to it could be cracked


By the way the "little thingy that looks like a bullet" is called an Idle air controller IAC for short

[CaptainZoom]

Beautiful, "Weapon" I´ll give it a go this weekend and see if it works. I was hoping for that kind of reply:
-"No worries pal, all U have to do is..."
I´ll get back to U´all and tell U how it went.

[CaptainZoom]

Back again...
Had another car for a while, but is trying the Cherokee again.
Still the same problem:
Dies for no apparent reason. But only when letting go of the gaspedal, or keeping the car running easy in about 11-13.000 RPM. Easing on the gas pedal will kill it also.
But as long as I´m accelerating it runs fairly OK ???
It also has an extremely "jerky" idel and sort of jumps forward when placed in "drive"
These are the things I´ve changed, replaced, or checked. (swapped things with a friends -89 cherokee to rule out some problems)

TPS
Flywheel sensor (CPS?)
EGR valve
Fuelfilter
ignition module/coil
sparkplugs+cables
rotor+cap
fuel resistor? (white ceramic, found in inside fender, drivers side)
battery
intake manifold

Sometimes when starting her up, she doesn´t run on all cylinders... I´m totally lost, any ideas?

[Stick89]

Unfortunately,DC/JEEP decided that small little plastic lines would supply the vacumn needed on the CHEROKEE.
Unfortunately,those small plastic lines will deterioate due to heat/cold as in expansion/contraction and so on.....
There should be a vacumn cannister behind the front bumper,on the passenger side.Starting there,trace ALL the lines throughout the engine compartment.These lines are usually black in color and can become very brittle.Any broken lines can be spliced with 5/32" gasline hose,and will fit very tight with NO NEED for clamps.
Some of these lines will go into the firewall where they may have rubbed against the body and have developed a leak.
One leak will affect the whole vacumn system(DC is so smart )
Some of the lines run UNDER the battery so you may need to pull the battery to check those.....
If the vacumn cannister itself is broken or damaged then you may need to replace it or search some forumns for options on replacing

[CaptainZoom]

Ok, I´ll give the vacuum system a thorough "gothrough". If anyone have any other ideas...? I´d be most grateful for all tips I can get.

[90xjgrl]

Mine was doing the exact same thing and after pulling off the vacuum line to the egr its been running fine i'd give it a try at least you'll know if thats it without having to replace anything.

[Saudade]

Originally Posted by 90xjgrl

Mine was doing the exact same thing and after pulling off the vacuum line to the egr its been running fine i'd give it a try at least you'll know if thats it without having to replace anything.

First welcome to AF.

Next, please note the posting dates when you reply. This thread is over 5 years old. I'm sure the OP's issue has been resolved by now. Not to say there are any hard and fast rules about reviving old threads. Just use your best judgment.