Hey all, at work right now but will post pics when I get home. Bought a '97 Cherokee Sport for the g/f and shaking it all down figuring out where my problems are and what I need to do to fix everything. I'm a 'yota guy w/ an '06 Limited 4Runner with some Icons and Duratracs on standby, so new to the jeep world but quickly learning.
When I bought it, seller said it had the infamous lifter tap/knock. Drove it 80 miles home on Saturday and got it licensed/titled today. Funny enough, the first drive after putting the license plate on, the CEL came on. Ran the codes through the ODO and came back with 12/43/55. So I'm guessing the previous owner disconnected the battery prior to me buying it to clear the codes/reset the ECU, so there is 12. 43 I know is a misfire and will get to autozone or order a scanner here soon off Amazon Prime to more acurately see what the 43 is. 55 is the end of the codes afaik.
She runs good for the most part, a little rough at times so the misfire is apparent but on this first tank of 87 unleaded it looks like I will be getting about 160 miles out of a half tank (haven't quite gotten there yet and don't know if that is good or not? Avg speeds of 70mph).
As for the first issue above I plan to swap out the plugs/wires/distributor cap/rotor, clean the top end, change the oil, run some MMO through it, and clear the codes. Then we'll see what happens. Worst comes to worst I replace the whole head with a new one and call it a day (w/ new valves and springs of course)
The second issue is the steering play/looseness. Reminds me of my '69 Mustang before I put a rack and pinion kit on it. Feels like a worn out steering box. Thought about adjusting it and seeing what happens but may just replace the whole box. On my days off I plan to get it up on lifts and have the g/f rotate the wheel slowly so I can be for sure where the play is coming from. I would say there is a good 3 to 4 inches of play each way from center before the wheels start to turn. Makes for a good time with the grooves in the road, again exactly how my Mustang used to steer. Read all about the Durango box and others, but just want to make sure it is definitely the steering box. The bushings and ball joints could probably stand to be changed while I'm under there as they look pretty worn out also.
Just browsing Craigslist and may have found a parts jeep for $900 and may just buy it as the front end has frame damage but low mileage on the motor and tranny. Plus the interior is mint, so for 900 it may just be a steal. Sorry for rambling on a little bit but just wanted to put it all out there. Will get pics tonight. She's pretty clean for a '97 and the seller threw in a 6" lift and a new heater core. Don't plan on putting the lift on as it is for my g/f and she is all of 5' tall. Also the AC doesn't work but going to try recharging it this week and see how long it holds. Guessing it is the EVAP which would be a good time to replace the heater core.
Look fwd to posting lots and the wealth of info on this site is priceless. Thank you all for that.
When I bought it, seller said it had the infamous lifter tap/knock. Drove it 80 miles home on Saturday and got it licensed/titled today. Funny enough, the first drive after putting the license plate on, the CEL came on. Ran the codes through the ODO and came back with 12/43/55. So I'm guessing the previous owner disconnected the battery prior to me buying it to clear the codes/reset the ECU, so there is 12. 43 I know is a misfire and will get to autozone or order a scanner here soon off Amazon Prime to more acurately see what the 43 is. 55 is the end of the codes afaik.
She runs good for the most part, a little rough at times so the misfire is apparent but on this first tank of 87 unleaded it looks like I will be getting about 160 miles out of a half tank (haven't quite gotten there yet and don't know if that is good or not? Avg speeds of 70mph).
As for the first issue above I plan to swap out the plugs/wires/distributor cap/rotor, clean the top end, change the oil, run some MMO through it, and clear the codes. Then we'll see what happens. Worst comes to worst I replace the whole head with a new one and call it a day (w/ new valves and springs of course)
The second issue is the steering play/looseness. Reminds me of my '69 Mustang before I put a rack and pinion kit on it. Feels like a worn out steering box. Thought about adjusting it and seeing what happens but may just replace the whole box. On my days off I plan to get it up on lifts and have the g/f rotate the wheel slowly so I can be for sure where the play is coming from. I would say there is a good 3 to 4 inches of play each way from center before the wheels start to turn. Makes for a good time with the grooves in the road, again exactly how my Mustang used to steer. Read all about the Durango box and others, but just want to make sure it is definitely the steering box. The bushings and ball joints could probably stand to be changed while I'm under there as they look pretty worn out also.
Just browsing Craigslist and may have found a parts jeep for $900 and may just buy it as the front end has frame damage but low mileage on the motor and tranny. Plus the interior is mint, so for 900 it may just be a steal. Sorry for rambling on a little bit but just wanted to put it all out there. Will get pics tonight. She's pretty clean for a '97 and the seller threw in a 6" lift and a new heater core. Don't plan on putting the lift on as it is for my g/f and she is all of 5' tall. Also the AC doesn't work but going to try recharging it this week and see how long it holds. Guessing it is the EVAP which would be a good time to replace the heater core.
Look fwd to posting lots and the wealth of info on this site is priceless. Thank you all for that.