help on 98 xj

adam greene

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2008
Location
morganton
hey the cheak engine light came on on the wifes xj today took it buy auto zone and there saying its the crank sensor. they also said a lot of things cause this. so my ? is do i just change the sensor or should i cheak other stuff thanks for any info
 
CPS is a common problem on all the Jeeps. I'd replace it. 95% chance it will fix everything.
 
get on naxja.org. theres away to test them. ive had to test mine before but can remember the ohms or which part of the plug to test
 
Here is how to test it,

Check the connector first
If you've just stalled out with same symptoms... unplug the CPS & plug it back in. If your motor fires back up you might get off easy, but don't count on it lasting forever. I dunno what doing this accomplishes other than cleaning the connector contacts enough to let additional voltage through to the computer. If unplugging & replugging worked then unplug the connector again and clean those contacts off. Then apply some OX-GARD, or other electrical contact cleaner & protectant (dielectric grease).

There is a distinct possibility that you're not getting a signal due to a faulty connector itself as well. Some people have cured their CPS problems by simply cutting the connector out of the harness and SOLDERING the wires together (Use heat shrink or electrical tape around the wire, of course!) Other's have replaced the connector with a newer, waterproof version from an electrical or automotive supply store

Test#1 - Get a volt/ohm meter and set it to read 0 - 500 ohms. Unplug the cps and measure across the CPS connector's A & B leads. Your meter should show a CPS resistance of between 125 - 275 ohms. If it's out of that range by much; replace it. (* - Note: HO engines are measured from the B & C connectors and should have near zero ohms.)

Test#2 - You'll need a friend to help ya with this one.
Set your volt/ohm meter to read 0 - 5 AC volts or the closest AC Volts scale your meter has to this range. Measure across the CPS leads for voltage generated as your friend cranks the engine. (The engine can't fire up without the CPS connected but watch for moving parts just the same!) The meter should show .5 - .8 VAC when cranking. (That's between 1/2 and 1 volt AC.) If it's below .5vac, replace it.

awww.lunghd.com_Tech_Articles_Engine_Basic_Sensors_Diagnostics7775887f93b5cd7b2040a9f87805939b.jpg
 
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