Recent content by Ed Rico

Not the greatest pic, but will give an idea of the extra clearance between the oil filter and the sender with the 45 degree street elbow. I rinsed out the inside of the elbow but didn't see much in the way of debris inside. -Ed Rico

I used an 1/8" 45 degree "street elbow" fitting from my local hardware store. This has the necessary male thread on one end and female thread on the other end. Adds clearance between the oil filter and sending unit but doesn't require lengthening of the sender wires. You'll find street elbows...

Yes, if you can find the KRE receiver circuit board with matching fob from a '97 or '98 XJ, it will work in your '97. I did this in my '97 with the receiver and fob from a '98 XJ. The KRE receiver board is found in the overhead console; if no console, it's located in the mini-dome on a '97 XJ...

Looks like '97 is the last year for this. It doesn't work on my '98 XJ. -Ed Rico

Yes, you can read codes directly on a '97 XJ with a key-on/key-off procedure described here: http://www.go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoECUcodes.htm. This works, at least it does on my '97 XJ. Having said that, it's not all that helpful on a '97 since you'll get the generic 2-digit codes like "21" for O2...

Exhaust clamp holding tailpipe to rear hanger let go just as getting off expressway, popping tailpipe off muffler outlet and dragging aft end of tailpipe on pavement. Used adhesive tape from first aid kit to temporarily rehang tailpipe to rear hanger (front hanger still intact) and allow me to...

Check the fuse in the PDC for the O2 sensor heater circuit. The damage to the rear wiring harness probably blew the fuse, which supplies power to both front and rear O2 sensors. Without the heaters active, the front O2 sensor can cool off at idle, after shutdown, etc and cause rough idle like...

If the compressor is otherwise good, then just replace the pulley bearing. The service manual is available on Sanden's website. You have to remove the clutch plate from the compressor shaft, then the pulley comes off the front of the compressor snout after removing a snap ring. The bearing...

You may have to track down a used flexplate in good condition. -Ed Rico

Check rockauto.com again under "Ignition". Crank position sensors are listed from $43 to $83 for '96. -Ed Rico

There's no gaskets as such, just the O-rings at the spring lock couplings and the suction/discharge line connection at the compressor. If you check your new parts, you may already have new O-rings that were included. Even if you don't, you can pick up a complete O-ring set for your entire A/C...

The FSM says the current draw at the clutch coil should be between 2 and 3.9 amps with system voltage 11.5-12.5V. If the current draw is 4 amps or more, the coil is shorted and needs to be replaced. You might be able to find a boneyard compressor that you can scavenge the coil from. Replacement...

The idler pulley bolt is standard right-hand thread. Right. -Ed Rico

Airbag control module. -Ed Rico