Grand Cherokee - terrifying experience this morning

livi · 03-14-2006, 01:06 AM

I know - do a search on a Jeep forum. Just that you guys are my petrol head heroes so I thought I´d ask.

´96 Grand Cherokee. 90k miles. Daily driver. Never any problems. Until this morning.

Below zero but as usual started up just fine. Drove for work. After about two miles (semi hot engine) she just cuts out. I am in a two lane city street in the left lane. Lots of traffic all around.

The servo assistance for both the wheel and brakes are gone. Can hardly turn the wheel at all. Engine out but not all electricity - radio working as well as cockpit lights.

I managed to roll her over the the left curb to a stand still. All this time I had the gear lever in drive. At stand still I put it in parking and she starts up directly again. No further misshapes to the parking garage but now I am afraid of driving her back home. I have free way drive home partly and I don´t wanna relive that experience doing 60 miles per hour.

Any thoughts much appreciated.

livi · 03-14-2006, 03:26 AM

Come to think of it (from what I have picked up here) - could it be a semi clogged fuel filter ? I know its due for a change soon. It went symptomatic shortly after startup and after that it worked fine - I just came home after a 30 mile free way trip.

Dantilla · 03-14-2006, 08:23 AM

A dirty fuel filter will not cut out instantly.

It will begin to stumble a bit at higher RPMs, but will give lots of poor drivability problems, which serve as a warning, before it will die.

Sounds electrical to me.

911skb · 03-14-2006, 08:50 AM

We had an issue on a 1993 Landcruiser. Air intake hose was cracked and had been dislodged during an oil change.

Died on my wife driving home in the middle of a turn, she almost went off the road.

Rex Walter · 03-14-2006, 08:56 AM

Livi,

When you put fuel in the tank, do you fill it all the way up, or do you just add a little at a time? If you don't fill it all the way up in the winter, moisture can collect on the top of the tank and freeze. All sorts of funny stuff can start to happen.

Rex

livi · 03-14-2006, 09:56 AM

Thanks,

Air intake seems intact. I always fill her up completely. Yes, I agree it sounds more electrical. I hate electrical mal function. I don´t even understand the concept of electricity.. Oh well, of to the shop, I guess..

Don Ro · 10:10 AM

A faulty CPS (crankshaft position sensor) and/or CPS wiring/harness/connector?
On your model, it may be located on the bellhousing in about the 11 o'clock position - as you're sitting in the seat.
If, when it dies/is dead, it's getting spark to the plugs, it's not the CPS (crankshaft position sensor) .
Is this a 6 cyl. or a V8?
You might trace the wiring harness from the sensor back to the first connector, disconnect, clean terminals, re-connect.
Also, disconnect all ground straps and clean thoroughly.
If it is the CPS and you're changing it out yourself, buy OEM - not an ersatz aftermarket unit.
Then again, 'could be the CMP (camshaft position sensor - located inside the distributor) or a coil going out.
.
Do you have a code reader? I'm not sure if you can buy one for the '96 w/o paying through the nose.
On my '92 XJ 4.0L/6, the codes are read from a flashing light in the instrument cluster - not sure about yours.
Also, the '96s have a reputation for having a bad fuel pump from D. Chrysler.
.
Other Jeep dudes here who're familiar w/the '96 (I am not) may chime-in.
.
.
Edit - 'Just read: "Oh well, of to the shop, I guess.."

Good luck.

Don Ro · 03-14-2006, 10:17 AM

livi,
.
After your rig is made well, post back...I'm interested in knowing what the cause was.
.
BTW, I love my '92 XJ!

livi · 03-14-2006, 10:22 AM

Thanks Don,

You obviously know your Jeeps. Sounds like Greek to me, but I will poke around so see if I at least can recognize what you are talking about.

Its a V8.

Will do, Don.

billwagnon · 03-14-2006, 10:40 AM

my dad had something similar with his 9? Cherokee. it would just die for no reason, while going down the road. turned out it was fuel pump/electrical issue but it took a long time to solve because of its intermittent nature. he kept replacing things til the problem stopped occurring.

livi · 03-14-2006, 10:48 AM

Thanks Bill, thats a second vote for fuel pump.

vangndy · 03-14-2006, 12:03 PM

thrid for the fuel pump, my dodge caravan did the same thing.