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1997 Jeep Cherokee POOR ENGINE PERFORMANCE

Tiny
WCDYESS
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 JEEP CHEROKEE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 13,000 MILES
I have a 97 Jeep cherokee sport st. 6.
On Friday I parked it and did not move it till Monday. When I went to crank it it was hard to start. I had to hold the gas pedal down to get it started. Once started it ran really really ruff. If I let off the gas it would cut off. I replaced the plugs, wires, cap, button, and air filter. I also cleaned the throttle body and ran some sea foam through it. It ran great. Or so I thought. If it is just idoling it does fine. But once you get in it and start driving, it starts acting up. As you are shifting through the gears it bucks really hard. It does it through all the gears. I cant really fig. Out what is causing the bucking. It seems to be getting worse. It wont give a code. It it drivable but it will give you a neck ache if you drive for long. PLEASE help me. I would just replace parts but I cant afford that.
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Thursday, January 10th, 2008 AT 9:12 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
PEAR69
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,482 POSTS
Is the engine coolant level low? When the engine is cold, does it act the same way as when it is warmed up? Is there realy only 13000 miles or is there 130000 miles?
Your engine is fuel injected, so you should never press the throttle pedal when starting the engine. The throttle position sensor does this for you.
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Thursday, January 10th, 2008 AT 10:52 PM
Tiny
WCDYESS
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You are correct, there is 130000 miles on it. I checked the coolant, and it is fine. It does not matter if the enging is cold or warm. I know that that I should never press the gas petal when starting but that was the only way to keep it running. It would start on it own, but as soon as it started it would try to cut out. But since I tunes it up it is starting fine and running at idol fine. It's just when you are on the road in gear.
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Friday, January 11th, 2008 AT 6:17 AM
Tiny
WCDYESS
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  • 6 POSTS
I still have not got the problem fixed. I have a week to get this thig running. Please help me. A buddy suggested that it might be the rear end. He said that his dodge truck was doing the same thing. He said that the gears in the rear end was missing a few teeth, and he had to rebuid it. What do you think. I have never heard of this before. Share your thoughts please. They are appreciated.
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Friday, January 11th, 2008 AT 5:41 PM
Tiny
PEAR69
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,482 POSTS
Have the throttle position sensor ( T.P.S.) And the idle air control sensor(I.A.C.) Tested. Autozone or a place like that will do this for free. The reason for checking the coolant is that I thought that there may be a head gasket leak. Also look closely for any disconnected, cracked, or worn out vaccum lines--check the P.C.V. Valve or just replace it--they are cheap. Also, replace the fuel filter--it may be clogged--keep me posted
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Friday, January 11th, 2008 AT 5:41 PM
Tiny
WCDYESS
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I did go buy a fuel filter, I looked and couldnt find it anywhere on the darn thing. I followed the gas line from the fuel inj. And did'nt see a thing. I called my local dealership and they said that there was not an inline fuel filter on it. They said there was one in the tank. But that it was kinda a part of the pump and that 99.9% of the time their shop just replaced the whole pump. The part cost only $419. I will try the auto zone thing and see what happens. Thanks.
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Friday, January 11th, 2008 AT 5:58 PM
Tiny
PEAR69
  • MECHANIC
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 Did you follow the fuel lines all the way back to the tank? If so, what does the fuel filter that you bought look like? Is it an inline filter? And is it listed for your jeep? The dealer is right, there is a fuel filter in the tank and it is part of the pump and it is a lot of money to replace it--however--there is usually a fuel filter inline somewhere in the fuel line between the tank and the injector. If not, then I appologize for any missleading information.
One thing you should always do is, test and determine that a part is bad before you replace it. If it is not bad then put it back on and move on. Good move testing before replacing.
I seriously dought that your rear end has anything to do with this.
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Friday, January 11th, 2008 AT 6:19 PM
Tiny
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I did follow the lines all the way back. And there is no filter. The parts house that I bought the filter from said they had a hard time finding one, but that the one they sold me should work. I think they just wanted my five bucks. The thing that puzzles me is that at idol its fine, its when you are moving. That is why the idea that it might be drive trane makes sense, but so does alot of other things. I think the best thing so far is taking it to AZ and letting them test the sensors. I dont have to remove them do I?
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Friday, January 11th, 2008 AT 6:48 PM
Tiny
PEAR69
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It depends on the type of testers they have.
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Friday, January 11th, 2008 AT 7:22 PM

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