96 Cherokee Died while driving and won't start

[tommy210boy]

So I'm driving to work this morning and all of a sudden the throttle died out and my Cherokee stalled out. Pulled off the side of the road, but it wouldn't start back up. There were a couple times where it fired back up and the RPM's would rev up like it was good but when I let off the gas it would stall. Then it wouldn't even start again. Seems like I could keep it sputtering a little if I kept tapping on the gas, but it sounded really sick.

It's got around 133K miles on it, sat for about a year and then wouldn't start. With the help of this forum I replaced the CPS and everything was great. It's ran for a while in the driveway, made it to the windshield place and back ok, but of course when I was heading to get it inspected all this happened.

I've got some ideas and was hoping to get some feedback on which is easiest since I'm fortunate enough to have to work on it on the side of the road.

1.) Water in the gas. I put Drigas in it during the first starting issue. Should I try some more?

2.) Could the fuel filter be clogged? Thought I saw somewhere that it was located in the gas tank which I wouldn't be thrilled about.

3.) Seen different suggestions about the IAC and TPS. Best ways to test or which is more likely?

I guess I'll see what I get from this. Let me know if you need more info.

[1996Chreokee]

THe fuel filter should be on the drivers side in the rear of the vehicle but infront of the gas tank... it should be an inline filter...along the frame rail

my experience with a bad iac was it would start then stall but when it gets warmed up it runs fine... What i had to do to get it to move was put 1 on the gas and 1 on the brake and start off that way...

hope this helps some

Let us know how you make out

[tommy210boy]

More info to offer. Went back to the Jeep after work and it started right up. I made it about 3/4 of the way home and it died out again. I went to get fresh gas and some drigas to put in it which took about 15-30min and threw that in and when I went to start it, it started right up. Once again I made it about 3/4 of the remaining distance before it died out on me. Seems like it has issues when it heats up.

The code that's stored is 54. The list of codes I have said it means "No Cam Signal at the PCM".

I'm assuming this could mean the camshaft position sensor is going bad, but it just seems strange it happens when the engine heats up. Anyone know how to test one?

[wwwildman]

Originally Posted by tommy210boy

More info to offer. Went back to the Jeep after work and it started right up. I made it about 3/4 of the way home and it died out again. I went to get fresh gas and some drigas to put in it which took about 15-30min and threw that in and when I went to start it, it started right up. Once again I made it about 3/4 of the remaining distance before it died out on me. Seems like it has issues when it heats up.

The code that's stored is 54. The list of codes I have said it means "No Cam Signal at the PCM".

I'm assuming this could mean the camshaft position sensor is going bad, but it just seems strange it happens when the engine heats up. Anyone know how to test one?

The CAM sensor is a relatively easy one to fix on your year Jeep. You should not eaven have to remove the distributor. What you will need is the STATOR AKA PICKUP COIL, not to expensive. You can get to the part by removing your distributor cap and rotor. You will be able to see the stator, it has a module where all the wires enter into the distributor. It should only have a screw or two holding in polace. The Haynes manual will tell you haow to replace it easily.

Mike

[tommy210boy]

Thanks for the help. Ended up only being the connector for the cam sensor. It's been running good now.

[Saudade]

Good catch!

Heat related failures are pretty common on "older" Jeeps. I had a bad CPS that worked when cold and died when hot. Let it cool for 15-20min and it would fire right up, run for about 5 and die. Took a bit of effort to narrow the suspects.

At least you had an error code to pint you in the right direction.