88 Jeep cherokee/wagoneer problem keeping it running
 

I have a new (used) 88 wagoneer (cherokee style)

Finally got all the must fix fixes fixed and its running. alas not for long
:-)

every now and then over the last week when I would start it it would start
right up and then shut off as soon as I release the key. Did not think much
of it as a restart worked fine.

now its dead. it will start up fine (and even KEEP running if I keep the key
turned longer) but the moment I release that key to normal on running
position it shuts right off.

on my other jeep cherokee (same year) some fuseable links were bad running
to that metal box right behind the battery. I gave up cut it all out and
installed a fuse box and soldered it all up. no more problem.

but on the new truck I tested (by bypassing) each fuseable link. no joy.

could the box they connect to be the problem ? (some sort of relay) it
clicks when I start the car. its only $15 so in a ffew minutes I am going to
go get it and put it in. but I wanted to post here first in case it fails
then I might already have some replies :-)

What else could cause this problem. starts right up and then off once you
release the key.

clearly the electricity to the engine is being cut off (at least that is
what I am assuming)

this is what would happen if a pulled one of the installed fuses on my other
truck. without one of the fuse it would start but stop once you release the
key.

what else could do this ?

Thanks
Chris Taylor
http://www.nerys.com/

Re: 88 Jeep cherokee/wagoneer problem keeping it running
 

Chris
You didn't specify which engine you have, but since you said it's an 88, I
am assuming it's an AMC 360. One of the first things I would suggest (if
you haven't done it already) is to call D/C publications and order the
factory service manual for your year. It's the best $60 or so that you can
spend.

1) check out www.ifsja.org for some of the best information re: your full
size jeep.
2) it sounds like the resistor wire is broken. The starter solenoid
bypasses the resistor wire in order to supply full voltage to the coil
during starting. As soon as you release the key, the bypass contacts on the
solenoid (relay) drop out and the resistor wire drops the coil voltage to
it's normal operating voltage. (If it's not the resistor wire, it could be
the ignition switch not making contact in the "run" position.)
I would start by putting the ignition switch in the "run" position and
testing the voltage on the "+" contact of the coil. You should have about
6V DC with the engine not running.
I would also recommend performing the TFI ignition upgrade. It provides a
much stronger and more reliable spark than the old AMC ignition system. Go
to www.ifsja.org and search the message board for "TFI". You might also
want to take a look at http://fsjeep.homestead.com/TFI_Upgade.html.

Good luck with your '88.
TJim
98 TJ SE
90 SJ GW

"Chris Taylor Jr" <nospam@nerys.com> wrote in message
news:1059395519.469676@newshost01.voicenet.com...
> I have a new (used) 88 wagoneer (cherokee style)
>
> Finally got all the must fix fixes fixed and its running. alas not for
long
> :-)
>
> every now and then over the last week when I would start it it would start
> right up and then shut off as soon as I release the key. Did not think
much
> of it as a restart worked fine.
>
> now its dead. it will start up fine (and even KEEP running if I keep the
key
> turned longer) but the moment I release that key to normal on running
> position it shuts right off.
>
> on my other jeep cherokee (same year) some fuseable links were bad running
> to that metal box right behind the battery. I gave up cut it all out and
> installed a fuse box and soldered it all up. no more problem.
>
> but on the new truck I tested (by bypassing) each fuseable link. no joy.
>
> could the box they connect to be the problem ? (some sort of relay) it
> clicks when I start the car. its only $15 so in a ffew minutes I am going
to
> go get it and put it in. but I wanted to post here first in case it fails
> then I might already have some replies :-)
>
> What else could cause this problem. starts right up and then off once you
> release the key.
>
> clearly the electricity to the engine is being cut off (at least that is
> what I am assuming)
>
> this is what would happen if a pulled one of the installed fuses on my
other
> truck. without one of the fuse it would start but stop once you release
the
> key.
>
> what else could do this ?
>
> Thanks
> Chris Taylor
> http://www.nerys.com/
>
>

Re: 88 Jeep cherokee/wagoneer problem keeping it running
 

i agree with this post, except the manuals are too expensive. just fin the
resistor and jumper around it. if it runs, change the ballast resistor.
john
"TJim" <jim@ranlet.nospam.com> wrote in message
news:fOicnSEyerEXoriiXTWJkw@comcast.com...
> Chris
> You didn't specify which engine you have, but since you said it's an 88, I
> am assuming it's an AMC 360. One of the first things I would suggest (if
> you haven't done it already) is to call D/C publications and order the
> factory service manual for your year. It's the best $60 or so that you
can
> spend.
>
> 1) check out www.ifsja.org for some of the best information re: your full
> size jeep.
> 2) it sounds like the resistor wire is broken. The starter solenoid
> bypasses the resistor wire in order to supply full voltage to the coil
> during starting. As soon as you release the key, the bypass contacts on
the
> solenoid (relay) drop out and the resistor wire drops the coil voltage to
> it's normal operating voltage. (If it's not the resistor wire, it could
be
> the ignition switch not making contact in the "run" position.)
> I would start by putting the ignition switch in the "run" position and
> testing the voltage on the "+" contact of the coil. You should have about
> 6V DC with the engine not running.
> I would also recommend performing the TFI ignition upgrade. It provides a
> much stronger and more reliable spark than the old AMC ignition system.
Go
> to www.ifsja.org and search the message board for "TFI". You might also
> want to take a look at http://fsjeep.homestead.com/TFI_Upgade.html.
>
> Good luck with your '88.
> TJim
> 98 TJ SE
> 90 SJ GW
>
> "Chris Taylor Jr" <nospam@nerys.com> wrote in message
> news:1059395519.469676@newshost01.voicenet.com...
> > I have a new (used) 88 wagoneer (cherokee style)
> >
> > Finally got all the must fix fixes fixed and its running. alas not for
> long
> > :-)
> >
> > every now and then over the last week when I would start it it would
start
> > right up and then shut off as soon as I release the key. Did not think
> much
> > of it as a restart worked fine.
> >
> > now its dead. it will start up fine (and even KEEP running if I keep the
> key
> > turned longer) but the moment I release that key to normal on running
> > position it shuts right off.
> >
> > on my other jeep cherokee (same year) some fuseable links were bad
running
> > to that metal box right behind the battery. I gave up cut it all out and
> > installed a fuse box and soldered it all up. no more problem.
> >
> > but on the new truck I tested (by bypassing) each fuseable link. no joy.
> >
> > could the box they connect to be the problem ? (some sort of relay) it
> > clicks when I start the car. its only $15 so in a ffew minutes I am
going
> to
> > go get it and put it in. but I wanted to post here first in case it
fails
> > then I might already have some replies :-)
> >
> > What else could cause this problem. starts right up and then off once
you
> > release the key.
> >
> > clearly the electricity to the engine is being cut off (at least that is
> > what I am assuming)
> >
> > this is what would happen if a pulled one of the installed fuses on my
> other
> > truck. without one of the fuse it would start but stop once you release
> the
> > key.
> >
> > what else could do this ?
> >
> > Thanks
> > Chris Taylor
> > http://www.nerys.com/
> >
> >
>
>

Re: 88 Jeep cherokee/wagoneer problem keeping it running
 

It really sounds like the little Cherokee style (XJ) with either a 4.0 or
2.5 engine.
It also sounds like the ignition switch should be inspected if it dies as
soon as you release the key.
It might also be the fuel pump ballast resistor, but it should run for a few
seconds and then die.
--
later,
dave
88 XJ 4.0 auto
82 Wag Ltd. 360 auto (to be retired!) anyone interested, whole or parts?
88 FSJ-GW 360 auto (Alive Again)
Chicago

"TJim" <jim@ranlet.nospam.com> wrote in message
news:fOicnSEyerEXoriiXTWJkw@comcast.com...
> Chris
> You didn't specify which engine you have, but since you said it's an 88, I
> am assuming it's an AMC 360. One of the first things I would suggest (if
> you haven't done it already) is to call D/C publications and order the
> factory service manual for your year. It's the best $60 or so that you
can
> spend.

SNIP SNIP

> "Chris Taylor Jr" <nospam@nerys.com> wrote in message
> news:1059395519.469676@newshost01.voicenet.com...
> > I have a new (used) 88 wagoneer (cherokee style)
> >
> > Finally got all the must fix fixes fixed and its running. alas not for
> long
> > :-)
> >
> > every now and then over the last week when I would start it it would
start
> > right up and then shut off as soon as I release the key. Did not think
> much
> > of it as a restart worked fine.
> >
> > now its dead. it will start up fine (and even KEEP running if I keep the
> key
> > turned longer) but the moment I release that key to normal on running
> > position it shuts right off.
> >
> > on my other jeep cherokee (same year) some fuseable links were bad
running
> > to that metal box right behind the battery. I gave up cut it all out and
> > installed a fuse box and soldered it all up. no more problem.
> >
> > but on the new truck I tested (by bypassing) each fuseable link. no joy.
> >
> > could the box they connect to be the problem ? (some sort of relay) it
> > clicks when I start the car. its only $15 so in a ffew minutes I am
going
> to
> > go get it and put it in. but I wanted to post here first in case it
fails
> > then I might already have some replies :-)
> >
> > What else could cause this problem. starts right up and then off once
you
> > release the key.
> >
> > clearly the electricity to the engine is being cut off (at least that is
> > what I am assuming)
> >
> > this is what would happen if a pulled one of the installed fuses on my
> other
> > truck. without one of the fuse it would start but stop once you release
> the
> > key.
> >
> > what else could do this ?
> >
> > Thanks
> > Chris Taylor
> > http://www.nerys.com/
> >
> >
>
>