reset JEEP CHEROKEE 1988 Service Owner's Manual
Page 1255 of 1378
Excessive cylinder wear Rebore or replace
block
Excessive valve guide Worn or loose bearing
clearance
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Gap Bridged Deposits in combustion Clean combustion
chamber becoming fused chamber of deposits
to electrode
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Blistered Engine overheating Check cooling system
Electrode
Wrong type of fuel Replace with correct
fuel
Loose spark plugs Retighten spark plugs
Over-advanced ignition Reset ignition timing
timing see ENGINE PERFORMANCE
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Pre-Ignition or Incorrect type of fuel Replace with correct
Melted Electrodes fuel
Incorrect ignition timing Reset ignition timing
see ENGINE PERFORMANCE
Burned valves Replace valves
Engine Overheating Check cooling system
Wrong type of spark plug, Replace with correct
too hot spark plug, see
ENGINE PERFORMANCE
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Chipped Severe detonation Check for over-
Insulators advanced timing or
combustion
Improper gapping Re-gap spark plugs
procedure
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Rust Colored Additives in unleaded Try different fuel
Deposits fuel brand
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Water In Combus- Blown head gasket or Repair or replace
tion Chamber cracked head head or head gasket
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NOTE: Before diagnosing an electronic ignition system, ensure that
all wiring is connected properly between distributor, wiring
connector and spark plugs. Ignition problem will show up
either as: Engine Will Not Start or Engine Runs Rough.
BASIC ELECTRONIC IGNITION TROUBLE SHOOTING CHARTS
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CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSE CORRECTION \
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Engine Won't Open circuit between Repair circuit
Start distributor and bulkhead
connector
Open circuit between Repair circuit
bulkhead connector and
Page 1256 of 1378
ignition switch
Open circuit between Repair circuit
ignition switch and
starter solenoid
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Engine Runs Fuel lines leaking or Tighten fitting,
Rough clogged remove restriction
Initial timing incorrect Reset ignition timing
see ENGINE PERFORMANCE
Centrifugal advance Repair distributor
malfunction advance
Defective spark plugs or Replace plugs or plug
wiring wiring
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Component Failure Spark arc-over on cap, Replace cap, rotor or
rotor or coil or coil
Defective pick-up coil Replace pick-up coil
Defective ignition coil Replace ignition coil
Defective vacuum unit Replace vacuum unit
Defective control module Replace control module
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BASIC ELECTRONIC IGNITION TROUBLE SHOOTING
CHARTS - USING OSCILLOSCOPE PATTERNS
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CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSE CORRECTION \
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Firing Voltage Retarded ignition timing Reset ignition
Lines are the Same, timing, see ENGINE
but Abnormally High PERFORMANCE section
Fuel mixture too lean Readjust carburetor,
see ENGINE PERFORMANCE
High resistance in coil Replace coil wire
wire
Corrosion in coil tower Clean and/or replace
terminal coil
Corrosion in distributor Clean and/or replace
coil terminal distributor cap
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Firing Voltage Fuel mixture too rich Readjust carburetor,
Lines are the Same see ENGINE PERFORMANCE
but Abnormally Low
Breaks in coil wire causing Replace coil wire
arcing
Cracked coil tower causing Replace coil
arcing
Low coil output Replace coil
Low engine compression Determine cause and
Page 1258 of 1378
Worn or dirty needle valve Clean carburetor, see
and seat ENGINE PERFORMANCE
Float sticking Readjust or replace
float see the ENGINE
PERFORMANCE section
Incorrect choke adjustment Reset choke adjustment
see ENGINE PERFORMANCE
Defective coil Replace coil
Improper spark plug gap Regap spark plugs
Incorrect ignition timing Reset ignition timing
see ENGINE PERFORMANCE
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Detonation Over-advanced ignition Reset ignition timing
timing see ENGINE PERFORMANCE
Defective spark plugs Replace spark plugs
Fuel lines clogged Clean fuel lines
EGR system malfunction Check and repair EGR
system
PCV system malfunction Repair PCV system
Vacuum leaks Check and repair
vacuum system
Loose fan belts Tighten or replace
fan belts, see ENGINE
PERFORMANCE
Restricted airflow Remove restriction
Vacuum advance malfunction Check distributor
operation
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Dieseling Binding carburetor linkage Eliminate binding
Binding throttle linkage Eliminate blinding
Binding choke linkage or Eliminate binding
fast idle cam
Defective idle solenoid Replace idle solenoid
see ENGINE PERFORMANCE
Improper base idle speed Reset idle speed, see
see ENGINE PERFORMANCE
Incorrect ignition timing Reset ignition timing
see ENGINE PERFORMANCE
Incorrect idle mixture Reset idle mixture,
setting see ENGINE PERFORMANCE
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Faulty Incorrect ignition timing Reset ignition timing
Acceleration see ENGINE PERFORMANCE
Page 1259 of 1378
Engine cold and choke too Adjust choke and
lean allow engine to warm-
up
Defective spark plugs Replace spark plugs
Defective coil Replace coil
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Faulty Low Speed Clogged idle transfer slots Clean idle transfer
Operation slots, see FUEL
Restricted idle air bleeds Disassemble and clean
and passages carburetor, see FUEL
Clogged air cleaner Replace air filter
Defective spark plugs Replace spark plugs
Defective ignition wires Replace ignition wire
see ENGINE PERFORMANCE
Defective distributor cap Replace distributor
cap
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Faulty High Speed Incorrect ignition timing Reset ignition timing
Operation see ENGINE PERFORMANCE
Defective distributor Replace advance
centrifugal advance mechanism
Defective distributor Replace advance unit
vacuum advance
Incorrect spark plugs or Check gap and/or
plug gap replace spark plugs
Faulty choke operation Check choke and
repair as required
Clogged vacuum passages Remove restrictions
Improper size or clogged Check jet size and
main jet clean, see FUEL
Restricted air cleaner Check filter and
replace as necessary
Defective distributor cap, Replace cap, rotor or
rotor or coil coil
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Misfire at All Defective spark plugs Replace spark plugs
Speeds
Defective spark plug wires Replace spark plug
wires
Defective distributor cap, Replace cap, rotor,
rotor, or coil or coil
Cracked or broken vacuum Replace vacuum hoses
hoses
Page 1260 of 1378
Vacuum leaks Repair vacuum leaks
Fuel lines clogged Remove restriction
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Hesitation Cracked or broken vacuum Replace vacuum hoses
hoses
Vacuum leaks Repair Vacuum leaks
Binding carburetor linkage Eliminate binding
Binding throttle linkage Eliminate binding
Binding choke linkage or Eliminate binding
fast idle cam
Improper float setting Readjust float
setting, see FUEL
Cracked or broken ignition Replace ignition
wires wires
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Rough idle, Incorrect curb idle or fast Reset idle speed, see
Missing or idle speed see ENGINE PERFORMANCE
Stalling
Incorrect basic timing Reset ignition timing
see ENGINE PERFORMANCE
Improper idle mixture Reset idle mixture,
adjustment see ENGINE PERFORMANCE
Improper feedback system Check feedback system
operation see ENGINE PERFORMANCE
Incorrect spark plug gap Reset spark plug gap,
see ENGINE PERFORMANCE
Moisture in ignition Dry components
components
Loose or broken ignition Replace ignition
wires wires
Damaged distributor cap or Replace distributor
or rotor cap or rotor
Faulty ignition coil Replace ignition coil
Fuel filter clogged or worn Replace fuel filter
Damaged idle mixture screw Replace idle mixture
screw, see FUEL
Improper fast idle cam Reset fast idle cam
adjustment adjustment, see TUNE-
see ENGINE PERFORMANCE
Improper EGR valve operation Replace EGR valve
Faulty PCV valve air flow Replace PCV valve
Choke binding or improper Reset choke or
choke setting eliminate binding
Page 1261 of 1378
Vacuum leak Repair vacuum leak
Improper float bowl fuel Reset float
level adjustment, see FUEL
Clogged air bleed or idle Clean carburetor
passages passages, see FUEL
Clogged or worn air cleaner Replace air filter
filter
Faulty choke vacuum Replace diaphragm,
diaphragm see ENGINE PERFORMANCE
Exhaust manifold heat valve Replace heat valve
inoperative
Improper distributor spark Check distributor
advance operation
Leaking valves or valve Check and repair
components valvetrain
Improper carburetor Remove and remount
mounting carburetor
Excessive play in Replace distributor
distributor shaft
Loose or corroded wiring Repair or replace as
connections required
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Engine Surges Improper PCV valve airflow Replace PCV valve
Vacuum leaks Repair vacuum leaks
Clogged air bleeds Remove restriction
EGR valve malfunction Replace EGR valve
Restricted air cleaner Replace air filter
filter
Cracked or broken vacuum Replace vacuum hoses
hoses
Cracked or broken ignition Replace ignition
wires wires
Vacuum advance malfunction Check unit and
replace as necessary
Defective or fouled spark Replace spark plugs
plugs
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Ping or Spark Incorrect ignition timing Reset ignition timing
Knock see ENGINE PERFORMANCE
Distributor centrifugal or Check operation and
vacuum advance malfunction replace as necessary
Carburetor setting too lean Readjust mixture
Page 1302 of 1378
or vehicle fails emissions testing.
IDLE MIXTURE (TACHOMETER (LEAN DROP) PROCEDURE)
NOTE: On 4.2L engines, ensure idle speed and timing are set prior
to adjusting the idle mixture. If mixture adjustment time
exceeds 3 minutes, run engine at 2000 RPM in Neutral for one
minute, and resume adjustment. On 4.0L engines, idle mixture
adjustment is not possible.
4.2L
1) Remove carburetor and locate roll pins blocking idle
mixture screws. Drill through throttle body on closed end of roll pin
hole. Drive pins out with punch. Reinstall carburetor. Install
tachometer.
2) Operate engine to normal operating temperature, and adjust
curb idle speed. Place automatic transmission selector in Drive
(Neutral for manual transmissions). Turn mixture screws inward until
RPM drops. Turn screws outward until highest RPM is reached.
3) Turn mixture screws inward to obtain the correct decrease
in RPM. See LEAN DROP (RPM) table. Adjust both screws equally. When
mixture is correctly adjusted, replace roll pin to block adjustment
screws.
NOTE: If final RPM differs more than 30 RPM from specified curb
idle speed, reset curb idle, and repeat mixture adjustment.
LEAN DROP (RPM) TABLE
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Application Man. Trans. Auto. Trans.
4.2L .................... 50 ........................ 50
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THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR (TPS)
NOTE: Adjustment of TPS only applies to the 4.0L models. It may be
necessary to remove throttle body from intake manifold, to
access sensor wiring harness.
Checking & Adjusting - 4.0L (Automatic Transmission)
1) Locate the square TPS connector. Note connector terminal
identification stamped on the back of the connector. Turn ignition on.
2) Connect voltmeter through back of wiring harness
connector. Connect negative voltmeter lead to terminal "D" and
positive voltmeter lead to terminal "A" to check input voltage. DO NOT
disconnect TPS connector.
3) Hold throttle plate closed against idle stop and note
voltage. Input voltage should be approximately 5 volts. Disconnect
voltmeter positive lead and connect to terminal "B" to measure output
voltage.
4) With throttle plate closed, measure the output voltage.
The output voltage should be approximately 4.2 volts. If output
voltage is not within specification, loosen TPS retaining screws.
5) Partially tighten one retaining screw. Rotate TPS to
obtain correct output voltage. Tighten retaining screws once correct
voltage is obtained.
Checking & Adjusting - 4.0L (Manual Transmission)
1) Turn ignition on. Connect voltmeter through back of wiring
harness connector. Connect negative voltmeter lead to terminal
"B" and positive voltmeter lead to terminal "A". DO NOT disconnect TPS
connector.
Page 1323 of 1378
times by increasing injector pulse width accordingly.
NOTE: Never apply battery voltage directly across a low resistance
injector. This will cause injector damage from solenoid coil
overheating.
Fig. 1: Injector Driver Types - Current and Voltage
CURRENT CONTROLLED CIRCUIT ("PEAK & HOLD")
The current controlled driver inside the computer is more
complex than a voltage controlled driver because as the name implies,
it has to limit current flow in addition to its ON-OFF switching
function. Recall, this driver typically requires injector circuits
with a total leg resistance of less than 12 ohms.
Once the driver is turned ON, it will not limit current flow
until enough time has passed for the injector pintle to open. This
period is preset by the particular manufacturer/system based on the
amount of current flow needed to open their injector. This is
typically between two and six amps. Some manufacturers refer to this