I can keep the jeep going!!!

ahadd74

New Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2009
Location
Hickory, NC
I can't keep the jeep going!!!

I am having trouble keeping the 78 CJ7 304 going and I noticed the volt meter dancing on me with no lights on and when I cut the lights on it dropped completely. I changed the battery and still the same thing. Is my alternater bad? It cranks and runs if I give it gas but then if I let off it dies. Even after I drive it around the block when I get to a stop sign it just dies sometimes. What else could it be? I can change battery, alt and starter fine but if it ends up being something else I may also need a good mechanics name in Hickory. The engine was rebuilt and has low miles on it bbut it has sat for a while, any ideas would be great. I also have noticed that after I rev it the pedal sometimes sticks and if I lift up on it with my toe it calms back down to idle around 700 as opposed 1500.
 
I hope it is just the Alt. I have to get a horn and windshield wiper control installed on it too. I can't even pass inspection yet. I want to join a club to go ride with but gotta iron this stuff out first.
 
Try tightening the belt first.
 
central09er said:
its 30 years old shouldn't have an inspection
Click to expand...

Has to be 35 years old.


Maybe any of what is mentioned above. Check belt tension, Use a meter and check voltage at the back of alternator, and at the battery. Should get more than 12v, somewhere around 13.5-14.1
If that checks out, then probably a carb issue and a faulty volt meter, as said, it's old.

When you get the wrinkles ironed out, let me know, I will help steer you into a club to suit your needs
 
sounds like a vacuum leak to me, check all of your hoses for holes and loose connections to your carb.
 
Is it auto or stick? Does it have a brake booster?
 
look at the master cyclinder if its bolted to the fire wall then you don't have power brakes, but if its bolted to 8 to 10" diameter tank with a vacuum line coming from the intake you have power brakes. I think that was an option in 78 and thats a good place to lose vacuum.
 
ahadd74 said:
I am having trouble keeping the 78 CJ7 304 going and I noticed the volt meter dancing on me with no lights on and when I cut the lights on it dropped completely. I changed the battery and still the same thing. Is my alternater bad? It cranks and runs if I give it gas but then if I let off it dies. Even after I drive it around the block when I get to a stop sign it just dies sometimes. What else could it be? I can change battery, alt and starter fine but if it ends up being something else I may also need a good mechanics name in Hickory. The engine was rebuilt and has low miles on it bbut it has sat for a while, any ideas would be great. I also have noticed that after I rev it the pedal sometimes sticks and if I lift up on it with my toe it calms back down to idle around 700 as opposed 1500.
Click to expand...


Lets look in an entire different direction from the good advice offered here so far.

How long have you owned the vehicle?
Has it done this since you bought it?
If not when did it start, and what were you doing immediately before it started?
Sounds to me like it is idling too low and as a result the alternator is jumping in and out of charge mode as it should. IOW I think your alternator is probably just fine and is showing symptoms of another problem.

The pedal sticking down and idling high...is it an electric or manual choke?
If electric is it operating properly?

I would try and adjust the idle screw up just a bit, may solve all your problems.

ALmost sounds like choke isnt working runns fine in warmer weather got cooler and now you are having problems.

Next depending on how long it sat I might start lookig into the gas and how old it is., if filters or screens are clogged/gummed, etc.

The good news is in Hickory there should be a number of guys willing to offer a hand.
 
Ok no power brakes they are manual. You are right it did better in the warmer weather, but still died once or twice qwhen slowing for a stop sign or light. Since it has gotten cold and wet it seems to sputter even more. Last night after driving it with the lights on I got to my steet and it died. Then would not crank again. I then bought a gold duralast with 800 cold crank and it fiered up for about 5 seconds then died again. I had to mash the gas to stop it from dieing out and put it gear to move it. I don't know if it's electrical or something to do with fuel dilivery. Distributor? Carberator? It has a low cam on it too is that bad for this type of thing? Fuel filter or pump? I have had the jeep for about a week or so. Not been able to tag it, or drive it on the main roads at all. Very frustrated, I may just take it to a garage and say you figure it out and fix it...here's my right arm as payment.
I need a :beer: :beer: :beer:
 
Don't give up! If you want to be a jeep person you will have to do a little work. They are fun but they break, die for no reason, and show their self when its not convenient. So if you have had it a week I am sure you haven't checked the wires, dist. cap, spark plugs. You may have to clean out your gas tank. It would be easier to just hand it off but when your wheelin it won't be as easy. Step back and breath!
 
Oh no..I won't be giving up..I just need it running. I teach and coach 3 sports so my time is limited. I may have to have someone else get it running right and then learn electrical and motor things later on. Is the Jeep Bible a good book to have? Would it be worthwhile to have? I think it's the distributer or the carb. I'm going to pull the alternater this saturday and get it tested just to check it out. Drain the gas tank clean it out etc. Get the carb checked. What is a low cam? Should I change that out? I still need a :beer: though!
 
I just had my:beer: now I'm ready for a nap. Good luck with the cj. If you find someone to work on it check them out, because you can't plug a code reader in and it tell you whats wrong.:lol: This is a great place to get information, parts and help. Before you know you will be:driver: and that aint no:poop:
 
ahadd74 said:
Oh no..I won't be giving up..I just need it running. I teach and coach 3 sports so my time is limited. I may have to have someone else get it running right and then learn electrical and motor things later on. Is the Jeep Bible a good book to have? Would it be worthwhile to have? I think it's the distributer or the carb. I'm going to pull the alternater this saturday and get it tested just to check it out. Drain the gas tank clean it out etc. Get the carb checked. What is a low cam? Should I change that out? I still need a :beer: though!
Click to expand...
Get a Chilton's or Haynes manual.
 
I think you have 2 separate problems.
1 electrical problem causing the volt meter to jump around and battery to die. Sounds like the alt. is not charging. Could be the alt. , the belt or wiring.
2 a carb. or ignition problem causing it to cut off. When it idles does it idle very slowly but fairly smooth? If so sounds like the idle is just set too low and needs to be adjusted. If its missing or running rough start with a good tune up ( spark plugs,plug wires,cap and rotor ) see if that helps.
 
If lifting the gas pedal lowers the idle, then the throttle return springs aren't strong enough.

Always use two of these springs, in case one ever breaks.

Also web type ground straps are cheap. Put one from the tub to the battery, & one from the block to the frame. be sure the battery's ground wire goes to the block. This may not be your problem, but it's cheap & easy to do.

They cut some corners where they could when building these things. Ground straps were on that list.
 
I finally had some time last night to check under the hood more in detail before the sun went down. I noticed quite a few things. From my solenoid I have a cracked wire tube and exposed wire underneath. I found some wires that were not secured properly at the rebuild and are touching the exhaust they are melting. I also see this silver box mounted on my tire well...it says silver streak incorporated a wire from that runs to the distributer and the other goes to the dash. The hoses look pretty good no dry rot or loose connections. I would really like to put a high output alternator on my cj even if this one is good, what are some thoughts on that? Going to Tuscola tonight for round 1 in the state playoffs I hope my players show up Tuscola has a QB thats going to NCstate and he throws 50-60 yard ropes.
 
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