ZJ quit on me

93redzj

93redzj

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2005
Location
Albemarle
So a couple of weeks ago my ZJ just died on me going down the highway. No warning signs, no nothing, just cruising along at around 60mph and then everything just shuts off. Ive switched out the CPS and that didnt solve the problem, anyone else got any ideas?
 
fuel pump, coil pack, various switches & sensors. With troubleshooting, it is frequently poke & hope. My '93 ZJ sometimes won't start cold (acts like ignition interupt activated) but after a few minutes, it'll start with no problems.
 
Havent checked fuel pressure, thats next on the list I guess, at first I thought it was a fuel pump, but you can hear it kicking in when you turn the ignition on. I guess it can still be bad even though you hear it kicking in? Didnt notice anything melted on the exhaust, and havent done any mods, some repairs, but no mods.
 
Alright, still broke down, things ive changed, found out work/dont work. Ive got fuel pressure, ignition coil checked ok, checked for spark and dont have any. I changed out plugs, wires, and distributor cap, hoping to fix it but also b/c the jeep needed it. Still no spark though. Camshaft sensor was checked and it was good as well. So...any suggestions?
 
I think all that is left is to try a new ECU. Pull a Part is your cheapest option. One other shot in the dark is the oil press sending unit. IIRC there are two on the later XJ/ZJ's, one for the gauge and one for the ECU. I may be wrong though. I would try the ECU next.
 
Stick the key in the door and unlock it manually. I know that sounds stupid, but ZJ have a built in alarm that gives trouble every now an then. It cant hurt. I think you might have to hold the key in the unlock position for 5 seconds.
 
mines a 93, didnt have any kind of alarm option with it, the only way I can unlock it is manually.

Thanks Bret, Ill check into that.
 
SWAMP RACKET said:
Stick the key in the door and unlock it manually. I know that sounds stupid, but ZJ have a built in alarm that gives trouble every now an then. It cant hurt. I think you might have to hold the key in the unlock position for 5 seconds.
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I agree. My '93 ZJ has the remote and alarm. Sometimes, the security system activates itself on it's own. Do you have the keyless entry system? If so, then all you have to do is press the button a few times to unlock the doors and disable the ignition interupt switch.
 
To my knowledge, mine didnt come with the keyless entry system. I bought it used a couple years back so I guess its possible the dealership lost the keyfob and just had the key left, but ive never known my jeep to have any kind of anti theft or keyless entry on it.
 
93redzj said:
To my knowledge, mine didnt come with the keyless entry system. I bought it used a couple years back so I guess its possible the dealership lost the keyfob and just had the key left, but ive never known my jeep to have any kind of anti theft or keyless entry on it.
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Do you have the owners manual? If not, I do and I'll check on that for you.
 
nope, dont have the owners manual. I just noticed yours is the limited, mines a laredo, maybe thats an indicator as to whether or not it came with keyless and anti theft?? That would be great if you had a way on checking that for me. Thanks.
 
I checked the owners manual and it didn't say which models had it or not. However, it did give me something to check. In the back-seat area where the dome lights are, check to see if there is a mome shaped dark opject between the lights. If it does, that's the receiver for the signal from the transmitter for the PDL. That usually means it has a security system, which includes an ignition interupt.
 
Ive never paid that thing any attention, but I do have the little dome shaped black thing in the light cluster, I guess ill check out my haynes manual and see what thats all about. Thanks for the info.
 
93redzj said:
Ive never paid that thing any attention, but I do have the little dome shaped black thing in the light cluster, I guess ill check out my haynes manual and see what thats all about. Thanks for the info.
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That dome thingy is the receiver for the remote.
 
So I had a guy come and look at the jeep and we decided the distributor needed to be changed. So I changed it out today and still no luck. I get a code 54 with check engine light, which interprets to a "no camshaft position sensor signal from distributor. Problem with distributor synchronization circuit". What does this mean? Or how do I fix it, rather?
 
Update

Well the code is no longer present. Ive got spark coming from ignition coil to the distributor, but not leaving the distributor. No idea why this is. Does the PCM play a part in this??
 
I changed the distributor. I guess its possible I didnt get it lined up properly? Therefore sending a false signal through the camshaft sensor causing it not to fire off.

What module are you talking about liftedzj?

The distributor itself and anything inside, at or around the distributor is new. This is what baffles me. :confused:
 
93redzj, let me know what engine you have or maybe i missed that but you have about covered the basics but definetly make sure distributor is timed correctly. i've worked on several jeeps (dealership 18 years until it shut down,now i've got my own business) i'll help any way i can.
 
its the 4.0 I think im gonna re-install the distributor, im beginning to think that I goofed on the install in the first place.
 
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