JEEP HELP

[KARATE]

1054194

My Jeep (1989 wrangler 6 cyl. 4.2l ) idles fine but it seems to lose power or stalls whenever I switch from second to third, fourth and gear. It feels like it's choking itself whenver I push on the accelerator. I can't go beyond 60 miles MPH. I have changed the distributor cap, plugs, wire, air and fuel filter. I'm running out of options. Need help.... : :-( [addsig]

 

[Quinners]

1054195

It could possibly be an oxygen sensor?? Just my two cents! Patti[addsig]

 

[joeycj5]

1054199

You may have a bad or clogged Cat. converter.[addsig]

 

[jcooper]

1054236

fuel pump may be going bad. When higher pressure is needed and it can't supply it,
the jeep will "stumble." When you let off the gas (because it stumbled) it returns to
normal because the fuel pump can deliver the lower volume.

HTH

Cooper.[addsig]

 

[cj5springbranch]

1054238

I agree check the cat and fuel pump [addsig]

 

[MudderChuck]

1054239

Another thing you might look at is the vacumn advance, check for vacumn where it plugs into the bottom of the distributor (hold your finger over the end of the tube). When the tube is plugged up and has vacumn (in mine) you can see part of the advance mech. (a little arm) move when throttle is applied.[addsig]

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

1054296

Catalytic converter is probably bad, especially if it's still the original unit. You can get a hi-flow Catco from www.jcwhitney.com for about $60.[addsig]

 

[jeepngeo]

1054298

I also have the 89 with the 4.2. In addition to all the previous good replys, I HIGHLY recommend the ignition upgrade located on the site in the "How To" Section. Basically it adds a more powerful coil, larger distributed cap and regapped plugs. I completed the upgrade in an hour ( I'm a bit slow and it took me awhile to relocate the different coil). The result - smooth idle, easy starts and pretty good revs. I haven't tried to really check the limits, but 70 mph is easy with power to spare.

As with all carter powered jeeps when its cold it occasionally (until it is warm) will have low idle (at a light). A tap on the gas helps out. I NEVER have a problem at speed or starting!

Depending on the miles - you may want to check the cat, O2 sensor and vacuum(as suggested earlier). I replaced my cat @ 114k and added a flowmaster. I figure one day I'll perform the computer bypass and add a weber carb. Today, I'm just not sure I'm ready for that task yet. Maybe when the ol' carter starts to give up. Good Luck! :-D :-D [addsig]