1997 Jeep Wrangler Jeep shuts off

CURTIS2912

MEMBER
1997 JEEP WRANGLER
4 CYL
4WD
MANUAL
15,500 MILES

We have a 1997 Jeep Wrangler with a 4 cyl engine, 5-speed manual transmission, and air-conditioner.

Occasionally, it will shut down with my wife as she is driving to work. Usually, it will start right back up. Sometimes, the engine will just turn over and over without starting, but if you let it sit for a little while, it usually will start then. Sometimes when it shuts down, the engine pops like it's backfiring. I've had the electrical system checked a couple of times, but nothing has been found. Periodically, I add some Sea Foam gas treatment to the fuel.

Any help or ideas that you may have would be appreciated.

3 Replies

DOCFIXIT

MECHANIC
18,828 POSTS

Hi
Is check engine light comming on? Recent repairs? How new are filters, plugs, wires? Does it die like key off or slows down? Is backfire through exhaust or underhood?
Let me know
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Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 AT 2:34 PM

CURTIS2912

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Normally, the check engine light does not come on when the Jeep quits running. The oil and oil filter were changed about a month ago, but this was happening before that.

There have been no new repairs done, and no new wires or parts have been installed. I carried it to a repair shop and told them about the backfire and the problem with it shutting down. They said the timing, plugs, etc. Looked fine.

I'm not sure where the backfire is coming from; my wife just says it makes a loud POP and the engine shuts off (as if it was out of gas). She has been able to coast to the side of the rode to get out of the traffic, and she has been able to start it right back up. It may be several days before it happens again.

I asked the shop to check the fuel filter and fuel pump last month when they service it, but they said those items were in the gas tank and would require removing the gas tank to check.

At this point, I don't know if it's a fuel supply problem or a firing problem.

Thank you very much for trying to help.

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Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 AT 3:31 PM

DOCFIXIT

MECHANIC
18,828 POSTS

No engine light makes me think a fuel issue. Have pump pressure checked yes are in tank but can be checked on fuel rail. Engine not staying down long enough to check for spark or fuel is going to make diagnosis difficult.

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Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 AT 3:47 PM