1998 Jeep Wrangler random engine cut out

JTPENGO

MEMBER
1998 JEEP WRANGLER
6 CYL
4WD
MANUAL
13,000 MILES

Recently during long highway trips (over 1 hr), the engine has simply cut off. No electrical problems. Waited 10 minutes and engine started up no problems and drove for another 5 miles and cut out again. Had vehicle towed to Jeep dealer who could not duplicate problem. Drove home (40 miles), no problems. Drove to another local Jeep dealer who did diagnostic tests. They said might be a bad crank sensor. Replaced crank sensor and had a complete tune up. Drove home (15 miiles) no problems. Drove highway trip, first 130 miles ok, then same problem. Waited 5 mins and started right up and drove 10 miles, then problem repeated. Waited 2 minutes and drove another 20 miles to stopping location with no problems. Replacing sensor seemed not to help. Short trips around town, no problem. Seems to be longer trips at higher speeds.

Anything you can suggest would help because I can't get the problem to duplicate itself for the mechanics.

I donated $30 to you.

Thanks

1 Reply

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

This is going to be a tough, and thank-you for the donation.

I haven't found much researching the problem, and can only give a few things to look for and then a way to maybe get a tech to diagnose it.

FIrst, try wiggling the crank sensor harness while it is running, may be a shorted wire, especially where there is excessive heat. I have read of oil leakage onto the vehicle speed sensor (VSS), that can give your symptoms. See if there are any codes in the pcm or any freeze frame data when it happened.

The tough thing is that is doesn't happen until you travel excessive distances. Therefore, one suggestion is when you know when your next long trip is, find a garage that will been in the vicinity of where you are traveling and at the anticipated distance for the problems when it occurs. That is the single biggest factor for diagnosing, the problem needs to be present. So once you locate a shop at the distance that your'e anticipating the problem, call them and explain your situation and that when you come in they will need to go into it right away to troubleshoot it. Will need good communication and a shop that is capable.