XJtrouble

[akram]

OK I'll use this thread to discuss the issues I'm having with the XJ.

Cross post to start it out.

went out on a few "trail" (more like really bumpy dirt roads) with my girls for a little bit. And well bad things happened. What I went on wasn't bad did go up one side trail but it wasn't bad either my dodge would have made it up it. I was turning around and all of a sudden I heard this bad sound with the wheel turned all the way right. got straightened out to investigate. Found something bad. Shock laying down. No Nate your weld didn't break. Unfortunately the whole mount came out. The sbframe or whatever it is called ripped. So I decide ok I can limp it home. drove about 1/2 mile then it died. Can't figure out why. Seems to not be getting fuel. I haven't found no cut wires or lines cause I did have to go over a fallen tree so I checked. Seemed like the fuel pump truned on when the key was turned on. I'm fustrated so I'll look at it later or tomorrow. Sad part is my dodge was supposed to go back to Genes to get worked on tomorrow, not now. And I have no pics. I'm going to see if I can borrow a camera to get some of the damage. Got a buddy to pick up my truck and we towed it back home and now it sits snug and warm on the garage. If anyone wants to come by sometime I'm home all week.

Today I changed the fuel filter which seemed like it didn't need it but oh well. The fuel pump is cycling. I have fuel at the rail as when I went to take the line off I got sprayed. Didn't seem like any fuel was going through to the return line though, not sure. Dist cap looks good. Waiting for fuel t dry before I check for spark.

Over on another forum someone mentioned checking the cranks sensor. I don't know how to "check" it. Does anybody else know how?

Also someone mentioned the CPS. Is there a way to check it?

If it has to come down to going somewhere to get fixed then the XJ will be down for a while. I don't have the cash flow to pay much to get it fixed.

Also I need to get the 'shock mount ripped out" issue fixed soon too. Hopefully gabe brings his camera by and I can get some pics of it.

Also wife doesn't know it is broke as she is out of town so time is an issue for me right now too. Any help or advice is appreciated.

Mel

[holeski]

Did it just die? What did it do right before it shot off? Will it crank over?

[jeepin_al]

The CPS is pretty easy, here is a simple page. It is only a couple of screws to replace. My XJ wasn't running, had everything to run, I read about the CPS and we chacked it, sure enough it wasn't working. I wasn't there when he replaced it but here is a description on where it is and how to test it.

http://wagoneers.com/XJ/tech/CPS.html

[akdsmer]

Anything that is wrong with the FI system is a piece of cake to figure out.

The Crank sensor (CKP-not CPS) IS a typical 4L failure. It is mounted in the back behind the cylinder head. Not only do these fail (defective), but sometimes the signal just isn't high enough because the sensor isn't close enough to the flywheel. Tweaking the bracket can take care of that. If you want to KNOW what the problem is, it wouldn't take too long to figure it out (my specialty :cool: ). We could scope it and tell you what the problem is for sure, Maybe tomorrow or Wednesday at lunch? The fuel pump should run for a few seconds when first starting regardless of the crank sensor, but will only continue to run if it sees engine rpm. Take at the back of the motor and just make sure the wiring looks okay. Other problems of the breed are the ASD relays, Fuel pumps and bad coils. Of course anything can be wrong!

[akram]

Did it just die? What did it do right before it shot off? Will it crank over?


It started sputtering like it was running out of gas. But the tank is full and i do mean full.

Thanks jeepn_al.

Kelly I'm free whenever. Of course I can't quite get it anywhere. So if you don't mind coming over and checking it out I would appreciate it. Just don't mind the mess my garage is in. And the smell of gas. I'll check out the wires and stuff. Also if you need anykind of electrical type tols. I have none. My one and only meter broke.

Oh an dI'm kind of dumb when it comes to this computer/sensor stuff.

Thanks

[akdsmer]

what year is the heep? 1993?

[akram]

1991 4.0 ho

[akram]

Thanks Kelly for coming by. IN all his wisdom he figured out it is the coil. So now I'm in search of a factory coil.

[sevenslats]

Glad to hear you made a breakthrough. That Kelly guy, :yes:

[akram]

Well just have to get the wires connected and it SHOULD fire. insert :fingers crossed smiley:

Now to figure out how to get the frame part fixed. Is it pssible to weld in something there to fix it. I know, I know. It's hard to say without seeing it. But seeing as how Gabe still hasn't brought by a camera I can't get pics. I'll see if I can find one tonight and get some pics. Kelly seen it. It isn't pretty.

Oh and I have to get my IM done so I can redo my registration. So that means I really got to get this thing moving. Can you tow it to somewhere to have the IM done since the engine and all works? I just don't want to drive it with the frame screwed up.

[akdsmer]

Well just have to get the wires connected and it SHOULD fire. insert :fingers crossed smiley:

Should? :eek:


Now to figure out how to get the frame part fixed. Is it pssible to weld in something there to fix it. I know, I know. It's hard to say without seeing it. But seeing as how Gabe still hasn't brought by a camera I can't get pics. I'll see if I can find one tonight and get some pics. Kelly seen it. It isn't pretty.

I think if you remove the shock, you should be able to seperate the two pieces of metal and weld each back in, or even put a little bigger plate in there. Definitely mangaled though.


Oh and I have to get my IM done so I can redo my registration. So that means I really got to get this thing moving. Can you tow it to somewhere to have the IM done since the engine and all works? I just don't want to drive it with the frame screwed up.

A trip permit from DMV will allow you to operate it to get the I/M. They cost $5 but you have to stand in the long line! Give me a call at work 459-1005 tomorrow. I have a "deal" for you!

[akram]

Well all I got to say is VROOM VROOM. It started. I do need a longer boot for the coil wire. The one end that went to the aftermarket coil stuck down inside not on the outside. So just to prove Kelly was right I taped it up real good and it started. So if anyone has some old plug wires laying around with a long boot let me know. I would hate to buy a whole set for a boot.

My concern about driving to get the IM is the frame. My IM expires next month. Well I gues Mon. So I was figuring if I could tow it with a trailer to just get the IM done then I could do all the registration junk while I'm trying to get the frame fixed. I'll call you tomorrow Kelly.

Once again thanks for all the help.

[akram]

As far as the frame jacked up who would be willing to do a little welding on that thin crap. Hopefully I'll get pics so you can get an idea of how it is.

[akram]

OK finally got pics thanks to a buddy.

This is the hole where the shock used to mount
http://www.arcticoffroad.com/gallery2/g2data/albums/Members/xj/DSCF0003.JPG
this is the shock mount
http://www.arcticoffroad.com/gallery2/g2data/albums/Members/xj/DSCF0005.JPG
The two together
http://www.arcticoffroad.com/gallery2/g2data/albums/Members/xj/DSCF0004.JPG
Piece of fram as if looking at it from the inside
http://www.arcticoffroad.com/gallery2/g2data/albums/Members/xj/DSCF0009.JPG
Piece of frame looking at it from the outside
http://www.arcticoffroad.com/gallery2/g2data/albums/Members/xj/DSCF0008.JPG
notice the rub marks on the shock
http://www.arcticoffroad.com/gallery2/g2data/albums/Members/xj/DSCF0002.JPG

So any ideas? Clean the area up and weld a plate in? I don't know if you can or how good of an idea it would be to weld the section back in that tore out. Hopefully I can get someone to help out on this. I don't have access to the proper tools for this.

Any help appreciated.
mel

[jeepin_al]

Wow man, that looks sick, how about patching that section and then welding a plate a couple of inches out from the corner? would need to do it on both sides to keep the angles the same on the shocks but I would think it would spread out the pressure better and keep it from happening again. (remember, all advice is from an idiot)

[akram]

I'm no longer mounting the shocks there. I've had jks shock conversions installed for weeks but didn't put the shocks on them as I was waiting to get new shocks. I'm figuring it could be patched with another piece of metal.

Got the pm
Thanks

[sevenslats]

doens't look structural. You'd be fine to drive it. :2cents:
But here's my input on the IM. I had to do simething similar to me TJ this year. If you're afraid to drive it, don't. You won't be fined for letting the I/M expire. When your XJ is street-worthy, go get the $5 permit, and have the I/M test done. It'll still expire in apr 08 (or whenever it would expire if you had the test done today).

I have a few extra spark plug wires. Swing by my house, I'll tell Julie where they are, and she can give youone.

[akdsmer]

The pictures are pretty clear. It isn't going to hurt to drive this rig. You barely ripped out the top of the frame. A little creative welding and :allrighty:

[ChevyKev]

Bring it by and I'll weld it up - let me know when you can swing out. You got my numbers.

[akram]

Thanks for the input guys. You all are realy some 1st class fellars. kev I'll see when I can get there. Hard for me to do much right now with the girls here all the time. I'm not too worried about the IM expiring, I'm just one of those people who can't stand to let things go past the date they are due.

[STOMPR]

I cant remember what month the tags are but I do believe if they say May they are good till the end of that month, just wanted to point that out incase you thought it was the first of that month. Sorry to here you are having the problems you are with that rig hope your still happy with it, and it all gets worked out.

[akram]

Oh I am happy with it. Things happens. Just seemed like a few things happened all at once. Oh well get it all fixed and go wheeling.

[akram]

Give me a call at work 459-1005 tomorrow. I have a "deal" for you!

I called and left message.

[akram]

Thanks to that great Kev guy the hole is gone. I went down while gabe was down there to try to help out and have him just look at it to get an idea. Next thing I know he is saying pull it over here, hammer this flat, scrape this, wire brush this, ok lets get it fixed. He welded the piece that ripped out back in. Melted some foam on the interior thought we had a fire, but no. And I promised I would clean it up and paint over before anyone saw it. As soon as I can borrow a camera I'll get a pic of the fix.

Thanks Kevin
Mel

[jeepin_al]

I saw you coming in last night on my way home. Good to see you back on the road.

[sevenslats]

Thanks to that great Kev guy ...

If I had a nickle for every time I heard that...

[STOMPR]

You have to watch out for that Kev guy he is always perofrming random acts of kindness:allrighty:

[ChevyKev]

awe shucks! :nope: It really wasn't that hard, took about 10 minutes.

hardest part was not burning more holes into that thin flimsy metal yet get a good weld with god heat penetration.

[akram]

OK got to get the brakes fixed now. How do I measure which brakes I have? Do i just measure across the outside of the drum? I have to fix the self adjuster on the right rear. It wasn't that big of a deal before but now it is starting to hang up.

[sevenslats]

I've never measured. I just adjust a little, then spin the dum by hand. feel for resistance, listen for rubbing.

[akram]

Well I need to replace the auto adj hardware. There are two kits. one for 10" and one for 9" brakes. Just wondering how to measure to see which I have. I almost have to adjust them every other day if I drive it.

[akram]

OK. I told kev I wouldn't let no one see his work until I cleaned it up. well I just got pics of it today so here it is
http://www.arcticoffroad.com/gallery2/g2data/albums/Members/xj/S5300218.JPG

http://www.arcticoffroad.com/gallery2/g2data/albums/Members/xj/S5300219.JPG

I couldn't get it grinded down and cleaned up all the way due to limited space. But it turned out just fine