A couple of problems with my jeep...

Hello.
I have a 1989 Cherokee Pioneer. I have three big problems right now. The first being that the jeep won't start. It started just fine last week. The starter turns and the motor cranks, but it just won't hit. Won't even try. If anyone could give me a few suggestions on what to check first, I'd appreciate it.
Now to the two major problems. The first is a 'shimmy' that gets kind of strong, particularly when going 45 to 50 mph. Above 60 it all but disappears, and it disappears when going around curves. A friend suggested I replace something called a 'shimmy shock' on the front end, but I thought I'd get some more feedback before trying it.
The second is the automatic transmission. It doesn't want to switch gears right. It waits until the motor is really revving hi before it wants to. As an example, it won't switch to the normal driving gear until it hits almost 50mph.
Should I sell the thing, or is it fixable? Any suggestions is appreciated. If anyone should need additional info, just let me know.

Tim :banghead:

1st questions I have before I delve in any further is do you have the 2.5, the 2.8, or the 4.0L? The shimmy could be caused by the steering stabilizer(shimmy shock) or it sould be the steering box. As far as that goes, it could also be a wheel bearing, tie rod end, or ball joint. Best thing I could say there is jack up the front end, spin the wheel, and try to shake it or move it my hand along the other three axis'. You will be able to identify or eliminate the tie rod ends, ball joints, and bearings by doing this. Look for obvious visual things.
Next, check the tranny fluid. It should be clear reddish , not cloudy, definately not milky pink. You might want to change the fluid and filter in the tranny.
As far as not starting, it could be the battery, coil, wires, maybe water or condensation in the dist. cap. Man, the list of possibilities is endless. My old shop teacher used to tell me that with engine problems, 90% of the problems are electrical and 10% lack of fuel. I would go process of elim. on the electrical system starting with battery and coil, cap, etc. NBM

Just fixed my problem with starting, after replacing plugs & wires, coil, oxygen sensor, rotary & distributor cap. Still had problems, ended up being a $9.99 ignition switch that mounts under the dash on the side of steering column. Took my girlfriend to figure it out. Good luck.

The motor is 6cyl, 4.0 according to the label on the side of the jeep. I did rule out fuel, kind of anyway. Just to be on the safe side, even though the gas gauge showed 1/4 tank I added another 2 1/2 gallons. It's not empty...
I pulled off a spark plug and took a look. It was dry... No smell of gas either. I'm thinking it could be either the fuel filter or pump...
I have ran the battery down cranking the thing, and then used a set of jumpers to crank it some more.
The problem is I'm by myself here, and I can't find anyone to crank it while I check to see if I'm getting fire.
A while back, I did just what you suggested concerning the tires, I jacked it up and tried to move the tires, everything seemed solid.
The transmission fluid looks good, a clear/reddish tint to it, and full.
What does this switch look like? The wires look good and so do the spark plugs. The coil looks good, the distributer is dry (first thing I checked).
I like this jeep, and would like to see it running good. But I bought the thing so I could get to work this winter. I'm beginning to think maybe I should just get rid of the thing before I need it and it fails me...

This ignition switch is a WELLS LS442 Part #, it is mounted on the steering column and also my dimmer switch plugs into this switch. Some dimmer's are in the floor. I had to remove the lower dash panel to get to it. It has a actuator rod that runs thru it which comes from the key switch. Mine was worn out and was letting mine cut completely off. Key sends a rod to ignition switch then ignition switch sends to battery and onto coil onto distributor to plugs. This almost drove me crazy and everyone around me. Took it to the shop several times. Another thing I did I sprayed WD 40 into the key hole itself. Work it back and forth to clean all inside so it will get contact. Mine had a lot of carbon build up. It won't short anything out. I never had any problem and I'm at 140,000 mi. and never ever had trouble till now. Everyone was telling me the Crankshaft Position Sensor but that was not the case. Call your parts store< I called Autozone and they can fill you in on this and actually show you the part and diagram. Pretty simple to install just follow directions. Good luck and let me know. Just a $10.00 part. The jeep has been cranked so many times the rod has worn down the plastic inside this switch that keeps the power going.

Thanks for the info, but tell me, what did your jeep do? Mine cranks just fine. The starter engages,and it turn the motor over. It just won't start up. Is this what happened to yours?
My jeep doesn't have quite the miles as yours, but it's getting to the point where I'm having one problem after another....

Tim :banghead:

Yes exactly, mine turned over fine. The switch is what puts the power to the coil to crank up. It's getting the gas but no fire. Once I replaced the switch it started in a heartbeat. A machine will not show this. Again it's not the KEY switch but the ignition switch underneath on the column that sends the message to the battery and then the coil reduces the fire so it will start up. Mine has been down 2 months and I have one leg and walking. This is cheap and easy enough to try. I do believe this is the problem.

Ok, for $10 it's worth a shot. I'll head to advance auto tomorrow and see if they have one....
Glad to hear you're back on the road...

Tim

Good deal, I was using advance but autozone has been cheaper. Be sure and let me know.

I'm sick check out my post on the forum. I can't even talk about it anymore. Let me know if you figure it out.

well i don't know most about the problems you are having, but my jeep comanche was shaking like your jeep is shaking a few months ago. It terns out that one of the weings on my front passenger wheel had come off, so a $5 balance and it was fine again. Good Luck!

my 89 cherokee had the same problem tranny not shifting until high revs. its the throttle positioning sensor(TPS) cost about $70 at parts store. its located on the throttle body. put the new one in the same position as the old one. wont idle right if not in the right postion.

I just bought a 1989 Jeep Cherokee~Pioneer from a friend of the family, It is a 4.0 - 6 cil. 4wheel drive.. I am havning a problem where is starts and works for alittle while then Dies out. It has a strong Engine at 132K miles, from what I hear the 4.0s
u can't kill them. I'm havning a hard time figureing out the problem and what I need to fix it...??? I was told a Coil / Igniter>? Something with the fuel pump and the spark.. Now it has been starting up so I don't think it's the spark. I don't no what it needs, thanks -4 Any Help Please>?!?!?

I just bought a 1989 Jeep Cherokee pioneer from a friend of the family, It is a 4.0 - 6 cil. I am havning a problem where is starts and works for alittle while then Dies out. It has a strong Engine at 132K miles, from what I hear the 4.0s
u can't kill them. I'm havning a hard time figureing out the problem and what I need to fix it...??? I was told a Coil / Igniter>? Something with the fuel pump and the spark.. Now it has been starting up so I don't think it's the spark

:banghead: > dead end!

Hello.
I have a 1989 Cherokee Pioneer. I have three big problems right now. The first being that the jeep won't start. It started just fine last week. The starter turns and the motor cranks, but it just won't hit. Won't even try. If anyone could give me a few suggestions on what to check first, I'd appreciate it.
Now to the two major problems. The first is a 'shimmy' that gets kind of strong, particularly when going 45 to 50 mph. Above 60 it all but disappears, and it disappears when going around curves. A friend suggested I replace something called a 'shimmy shock' on the front end, but I thought I'd get some more feedback before trying it.
The second is the automatic transmission. It doesn't want to switch gears right. It waits until the motor is really revving hi before it wants to. As an example, it won't switch to the normal driving gear until it hits almost 50mph.
Should I sell the thing, or is it fixable? Any suggestions is appreciated. If anyone should need additional info, just let me know.

Tim :banghead:

If the starter is turning over then it is probably not the ignition switch. I would check the following items:
Coil/ignition module-- this is located behind the battery on the pass. side. It has a large wire coming out of it that goes to the top of the distributor. at the bottom of this is the ignition module. disconnect the two connectors. Turn the ignition to run, and check for voltage at the yellow wire. It should be 12 volts. If it is then pull the large wire out of the distributor and use a screwdriver to almost short the wire (near the A/C line is best). Then have a friend try to start the vehicle. You should see a blue spark jump from the screwdriver to the A/C line. If you see a blue spark then you have spark to fire the motor.
Fuel Pressure--try to check the fuel pressure at the fitting on the fuel rail. It should be 31 psi normal and 39 with vaccum line disconnected from fuel pressure regulator. If the fuel pressure is off, then it could be the fuel pressure regulator, fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel injector leaking, or blocked fuel line.
CPS--if you have the correct fuel pressure and spark then it is most likely your cranshaft position sensor.
Autozone can test your coil and ignition control module, but you have to remove it from the vehicle.

Hope this helps