Sputtering and will not go over 30 MPH

RICHSAMANO

MEMBER
1990 JEEP WRANGLER
4.2L
6 CYL
4WD
MANUAL
144,000 MILES

Just recently bought the vehicle listed above that was garaged and hardly driven. It ran great at idle and on the road for about 70 miles pre-purchase. I completed the purchase and flat-towed home. The vehicle ran great the first day, then I needed fuel (empty). I topped off the tank at Costco and drove rest of day for another 2.5 hours in the city just fine. Next morning, I warmed up the vehicle and it idled great. Driving it sputtered a lot and barely went over 30 MPH. I stopped and purchased Seafoam Motor Treatment and a new fuel filter. Added Seafoam and installed new filter. Vehicle still sputters. The previous owner stated he never filled the gas tank up past 1/4 tank so fuel would not go bad. I don't know if fueling and the sputtering are related. That was the only significant event before sputtering started. Suggestions?

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Hi,

This could be a number of different things. Certainly, it could be related to the fuel system. However, it could be ignition related, a plugged catalytic converter, and so on. So here is what I need you to do. We need to see if there are diagnostic trouble codes. You don't need a scan tool to retrieve them. Follow this link which explains how it's done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/retrieve-trouble-codes-for-chrysler-dodge-plymouth-odb1-1995-and-earlier-car-mini-van-and-light-trucks

Try this and let me know what codes are found.

Take care and God Bless,

Joe

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Sunday, February 21st, 2021 AT 5:12 PM

RICHSAMANO

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Thank you Joe, I tried your fix and discovered I do not see a check engine light when I turn the key. I am checking fuses and then I will inspect the 31 year old dash cluster lights. I will revisit the sputtering issue once I can fix the dash cluster lights.

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Wednesday, February 24th, 2021 AT 10:25 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Hi,

That's fine. Let me know when you get back to it. I'll be here.

Take care,
Joe

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Thursday, February 25th, 2021 AT 5:51 PM

RICHSAMANO

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I found out today the Jeep does not have a check engine light. Are you sure cycling the key on and off will work for this vehicle? When I cycled the key, nothing lit up. I was only guessing the my Jeep lights were "out" since I did not see anything lighting up. Please advise.

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Thursday, February 25th, 2021 AT 6:16 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Hi,

Let's try this a different way. See if this link will get you through getting codes. In 1990, Jeep was owned by Chrysler. That's why I sent you the last link. I did find a link specific to Jeep. See if it works.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/jeep-diagnostic-trouble-codes-for-car-built-on-or-before-1995-odb1

Let me know.
Joe