Complete electrial shutdown while driving

[JeepJeep]

This started happening last night.
I'm in "D" and while accelerating, it will hesitate like it's missing. Basically, everthing starts to shut down, but it's being caused by what I think is a short somewhere.

But I can put it in "N" and rev it up and nothting happens.

Has this come up with anyone else, and what would be a good place to look for this "short"

Thanks

[martin]

JeepJeep,

I have a 88 XJ and with your XJ not much younger than mine I would look at changing out the ignition switch. It is located on the steering column. I am not talking the lock cylinder.

The ignition switch allows things to be powered, they are known to wear out. They run $8-$15 depending on where you buy it. I picked up a switch in a borg-warner box and paid less than $10 and it had a lifetime warranty.

I had a buddy over who had done the switch replacement before. On my 88 I used a 8, 9 and 10 mm ignition wrenches. If you don't own a set time to buy them at sears.

It took us 2 hours and we were just taking out time. I think it a 1 hour job in the labor book. My buddy is of the opinion on that switch at 125K miles you should change it out just a a preventive maintenance measure.

There are millions of cars, mostly GM, with that switch so it should be in stock an any parts store.

If you want tips on disassembly do a search on here there were some posts recently, they may be on the old board just do a search on "ignition switch". If not repost and I'll try to tell you what you need to know about the job.

Martin

[gettinbetterXJ]

this sounds exactly like what my 88 just started doing!! I will check the ignition switch tomorrow. I have allready run through the entire electrical system one fuse at a time with dc tester light in hand!

[rsalemi]

If you mean that the dash lights, radio, etc go out then the ignition sw is the likely problem.
If you only get a light throttle skip at 1800 - 2000 RPM you probably have a CPS going bad and need to replace that before it quits completely (it will, at the worst possible time)
Crankshaft position sensor - speed sensor