Jeep Cherokee XJ Forum

Discuss the Jeep Cherokee XJ with others.

You are not logged in.

#1 06-15-2011 14:48:10

bj
Rookie
Registered: 05-18-2009
Posts: 76

my idle issue

so, over the past several months i've tried to diagnose & fix my weird idle issue.  first thing out of everyone's mouth is "vac leak" but read the symptoms.

in the morning when i first start the Jeep (7am) it's got a low idle, somewhere around 500rpm.  once warmed up it runs perfectly.  no idle issues, good power, runs like it should.

in the afternoon when is start it up, it start normally and idles but has a very rough idle, almost like it's missing on a cylinder or two.  once it warms up it runs fine on my drive down the street from work.  in almost the same spot on my drive home it starts idling high (1500-2500rpm) and will continue to do so until i shut it down & restart it.  once restarted the idle sits steady at 750rpm for the next 15minutes or so then it goes right back up to high idle again.

what the fawk is wrong with this thing??

i'm thinking maybe i need to change out the injectors?

i have a new CPS but haven't installed that yet?

so far i've replaced:  IAT, WTS, IAC, MAP, O2 sensor, FPR, EGR solenoid, adjusted the TPS (which tests good), adjusted the NSS, replaced the fuel filter, has a good tune-up, new air filter, wire harness is grounded correctly, all vac lines look good and i hear no leaks.

it's goddam frustrating.

Offline

06-15-2011 14:48:10

Ads

Re: my idle issue

#2 06-15-2011 14:49:19

nala
Helper
Registered: 05-25-2011
Posts: 24

Re: my idle issue

Did you test the coil? Was that part of the tuneup?

Offline

#3 06-15-2011 15:02:03

bj
Rookie
Registered: 05-18-2009
Posts: 76

Re: my idle issue

hmmm, nope.  haven't tested the coil....

Offline

#4 06-15-2011 15:02:46

moses
Newbie
Registered: 10-05-2008
Posts: 6

Re: my idle issue

at this point, if the TB and intake is clean. O2 sensor is good, then I'd maybe swap computers and see what that does. I'm sure there is one laying around somewhere. I know I have one for a renix.

Offline

#5 06-15-2011 15:03:18

john
Rookie
Registered: 09-27-2008
Posts: 61

Re: my idle issue

How about checking all the sensor wires for wear and shorts? ...bad
ground someplace (that makes all kinds of wierd stuff happen)? The
main computer or the wires out of it to the various operating
controls?

Offline

#6 06-15-2011 15:34:17

kev
Rookie
Registered: 09-27-2008
Posts: 76

Re: my idle issue

I was thinking the 'puter too, maybe a loose connection.

Offline

#7 06-15-2011 15:34:50

bj
Rookie
Registered: 05-18-2009
Posts: 76

Re: my idle issue

yeah, that's really the hard part is checking all the connectors & wiring for shorts.

i think i'll test the coil, swap it for the spare i have that i know is good and then junkyard me up a new engine harness & try that.  then a computer swap.

boo this.  i love my jeep, hate the way it runs right now.

Offline

#8 06-15-2011 15:35:52

elf
Newbie
Registered: 10-05-2008
Posts: 12

Re: my idle issue

Yank out the computer and all of them sensors and wires. Go propane.

Offline

#9 06-15-2011 15:36:24

kram
Rookie
Registered: 05-24-2009
Posts: 80

Re: my idle issue

If you can send your injectors out for cleaning. Also, what did the
IAC passage look like? I just had similar problems on my honda, and
there was a little screen in the IAC passage on the valve that was just
carboned up. Cleaned it and the problem is gone. A vacuum leak will
give you high idle. I'd look at the idle circuit, and make sure
everything is clean. Also, how do the throttle shafts wear on these? I
remember that could be a load of frustration on carburetors.

Offline

#10 06-15-2011 15:38:59

bj
Rookie
Registered: 05-18-2009
Posts: 76

Re: my idle issue

IAC passage & the rest of the TB is clean.  plate looked fine, no play that i could tell.

would a vac leak cause it run at 500rpm at start-up & then perfectly fine only in the mornings?
do vac leaks go away when you shut off & restart the engine?

this problem is electrical.

this only happens in the afternoon which lead me to replace the IAT & MAP, but no joy.  the only idle circuit on a TB is the IAC bore, which is clean and NOT variable.  as for the injectors, they'll just need to be replaced.  no time to have them cleaned, plus they're 20yrs old.

i'm thinking maybe a sticky & leaky injector(s) is the problem.

Offline

#11 06-15-2011 15:57:51

kram
Rookie
Registered: 05-24-2009
Posts: 80

Re: my idle issue

Spray along the gasket with some carb cleaner or something and listen
for a change in idle speed.

Offline

#12 06-15-2011 16:28:18

gordo
Helper
Registered: 10-05-2008
Posts: 18

Re: my idle issue

it's goddam frustrating.

I hear that! I STILL haven't figured mine out yet. But I haven't replaced the manifold gasket yet.

Offline

#13 06-15-2011 16:29:00

gordo
Helper
Registered: 10-05-2008
Posts: 18

Re: my idle issue

I've got all my old parts. Including a coil. Come on down & swap um 1 by 1 8)
But it's a 96

Offline

#14 06-15-2011 16:29:37

gordo
Helper
Registered: 10-05-2008
Posts: 18

Re: my idle issue

kram wrote:

Spray along the gasket with some carb cleaner or something and listen
for a change in idle speed.

I did that. But with WD40 and water

Offline

#15 06-15-2011 16:31:25

gekim
Rookie
Registered: 10-05-2008
Posts: 56

Re: my idle issue

Not so sure on the leaky injector thing. More gas is not gonna make it
idle faster if it's not getting more air too is it? I had a fast idle
problem when my tps went bad, but you said you checked that. Did you
check the tps while the problem was happening?

Offline

#16 06-15-2011 16:32:56

bj
Rookie
Registered: 05-18-2009
Posts: 76

Re: my idle issue

i've tried all that.  no leaks that i can find by spray or by ear/tube/stetho.

like i said before, the vac leak answer is a little played on this one.

Offline

#17 06-15-2011 16:33:28

bj
Rookie
Registered: 05-18-2009
Posts: 76

Re: my idle issue

gekim wrote:

Not so sure on the leaky injector thing. More gas is not gonna make it
idle faster if it's not getting more air too is it? I had a fast idle
problem when my tps went bad, but you said you checked that. Did you
check the tps while the problem was happening?

well, yes & no.  i'm thinking a stuck shut injector may lean the mixture to the point that the computer up's the fuel table and bumps the IAC.

the stuck injector may then leak down the pressure in the fuel rail overnight causing my rough/low idle at morning startup.

all this is theory so far.  damn, why do i get the tough ones?

Offline

#18 06-15-2011 16:40:21

kram
Rookie
Registered: 05-24-2009
Posts: 80

Re: my idle issue

It's obviously the CPS then. :)

I'd say it's due for new injectors. Get the 24lb ford motorsports ones
with 4.6l injector mounts.

Offline

#19 06-15-2011 16:41:17

bj
Rookie
Registered: 05-18-2009
Posts: 76

Re: my idle issue

i thought we were supposed to run the 19lb stock 5.0 injectors?  i AM going to order some, wanna get the right ones.  this is an '88 Renix.  thanks for the help.

Offline

#20 06-15-2011 16:41:48

kram
Rookie
Registered: 05-24-2009
Posts: 80

Re: my idle issue

I'm not sure what you're supposed to run in the stocker. The 24lb
injectors require a special 4.6l fixture.

Offline

#21 06-15-2011 16:46:54

ned
Helper
From: Williamsburg Ky
Registered: 01-11-2010
Posts: 20

Re: my idle issue

I've got the stock 200k mile ones from my Renix I can mail you if
you'd like. I replaced them with 19lb 5.0 ones and didn't notice a
bit of difference, aside from slightly better throttle response.


Some things just can't be duplicated without alcohol!

Offline

#22 06-15-2011 16:48:16

lobster
Newbie
Registered: 10-05-2008
Posts: 12

Re: my idle issue

Warning: Contains smartass comments with no real help... sorry JB, but I don't have any other good ideas other than what has already been suggested.

ISSUE:when i first start the Jeep (7am) it's got a low idle,
ANSWER: your Jeep is not a morning person. Let her sleep in a little later =).

ISSUE: in almost the same spot on my drive home it starts idling high (1500-2500rpm)
ANSWER: There's something at that spot that peaks her interest & gets her motor revving... ISSUE: I shut it down & restart it.  once restarted the idle sits steady at 750rpm for the next 15minutes or so then it goes right back up to high idle again.  ANSWER:on the bright side, if you turn her off, she still gets interested again pretty quickly =).

Offline

#23 06-15-2011 16:49:37

greg
Newbie
Registered: 10-05-2008
Posts: 8

Re: my idle issue

"what the fawk is wrong with this thing??"

I think lobster hit the nail on the head! It's a woman. Start calling him Gus, or Bruno...

Offline

#24 06-15-2011 16:54:52

bj
Rookie
Registered: 05-18-2009
Posts: 76

Re: my idle issue

LOLzzzz

thanks for the help.

Offline

#25 06-16-2011 01:01:29

bj
Rookie
Registered: 05-18-2009
Posts: 76

Re: my idle issue

okay, i swapped out the coil which did smooth out the idle a little bit.  however it didn't do a thing for the low/high sporatic idle issue.

i'll be swapping out the CPS tomorrow.

Offline

Board footer