Intermittent stalling immediately after starting or punching gas

My Jeep lives... no thanks to Chrysler engineers. I have had an issue with my Jeep randomly stalling for about 3 years. I researched the internet, Jeep clubs, and spoke with several mechanics. Needless to say everyone had a different solution. It ended up being the wire going from the Alternator to the battery and fuse box. Something none of the experts even considered.

Those of you who know about wiring... Chrysler engineers used 8-AWG wiring from the alternator and 6-AWG for the starter and the negative/ground. I discovered an issue with the wiring after I had played the role of a typical mechanic; testing and swapping out all of the usual culprits. I connected my 1/0-AWG jumper cables between my Jeep and my car. When connected, the Jeep ran OK, it stalled every know and then, but would start back up after a few seconds. If I disconnected the cables, the Jeep would die with in 5 minute... every time.

So... I tested the alternator. It was operating perfectly. So, why was my battery going dead? And, why was my Jeep dying? I removed the flexible plastic cover from the wires coming off the battery and the alternator to discover, (a) they were unusually small in diameter and (b) they had several burn marks along the wire run.

I have enough of a background with electronics to know that the skinny little wires were overheating and causing a drain on my electrical system. Think of running a compressor with a cheap extension cord... you get the picture.

I replaced all of the cables with 2-AWG, 300 amp, 680 strand welding cable. A little overkill, YES. It works beautifully. Love my Jeep. Total cost was $90 including tools.

I hope you have had this fixed by now, but on my 2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport I had the same issue and it was the Throttle Control Module.

start with the obvious.... any check engine light codes?

from there is to determine if this is an electrical issue or mechanical issue. using a fuel pressure gauge on the fuel rail can tel you if the fuel pump is not supplying enough fuel pressure. if thats fine, then check for vacumm leaks. how old is the jeep? older ones rely a lot on O2 sensor for the proper idle and if the sensor is bad, it can cause the described symptoms.

if all that is good, then do a compression test and a leakdown test. that will tell you if you have any mechanical issues with the engine.

cars only need air/fuel/spark.... if all are present is that they arent being used properly because a system is not working right

I have run into this prob many times if you have cleaned the throttle plate

Well you may want to try my fix.

I'm a 28 year mechanic and repair this problem on many jeeps, fords,

Chevys ect.. What you can do is drill a small hole in the throttle plate

About 1/8 - inch be careful pu a rag or towel to catch shavings. Put the breather assembly back on and test drive to relearn computer .

Problem should be solved. I also have noticed lots of the newer

Models of cars and trucks already have the hole drilled. Good luck

Brad. Greesemann

I had a similar issue after I swapped the intake manifold & power steering pump from a 1999 Jeep to my '95. When accelerating quickly (onto the freeway for instance) it would stall. I would pull over and it would restart fine. After sticking my head back under the hood, I figured it out: Since the intake manifold was different, the vacuum fittings were different also. When I checked the engine codes, it was giving an error about the MAP sensor input. One of the vacuum hoses were not tight. I also found that the vacuum line going to the FPR at the front of the engine was contributing so I took it off and all has been well since then.

Bottom line: troubleshoot your vacuum lines and the things they connect to/from. If it's stalling when you punch the gas, it points to fuel pressure but your symptoms also point to a vacuum leak.

Sounds like John Hanks is right, throttle position sensor.... take out the sensor or get access to it by removing the intake so you can see down into the throttle body.......and clean the heck out of it. If the problem is better (rough idle or low idle), safe bet the throttle position sensor is the issue and they are easy to replace..... if you know someone that has one, you can also hook up one of those diagnostic computers and tell it (the jeeps computer) to raise the idle speed, if it won't do it = throttle position sensor is to blame........ I have one of these jeeps, and the crank position sensors can go bad too, fairly common actually......however usually they just won't start. (since the computer doesn't know what position the crank is in)...... this sensor is also fairly easy to replace..... just hard to reach.

My 2000 4.7 JGC is acting similar. I pretty much have to keep my foot on gas pedal (even while braking) or it dies-but it starts right back up. Other times, it takes a bit and will even start without me turning the key. We haven't read a definite fix, but keep reading that people are suggesting we alter the screws to the PCM [add washers, cut screws] or to look inside to see if solder is damaged. Others say to change crank aND cam shafts positioning sensors. We've done this... but with auto zone parts. We are so lost. Anyone have any thoughts?

From Perth in Australia, we have a 2003 JEEP Grand Cherokee Limited V8 with third of a tank of petrol and the engine cuts out going out of the turn of LH & RH corners. So, foot off accelerator coming up to the corner and braking, then as foot is reapplied to the accelerator to power into the corner, the engine doesn't sputter but cuts out, in some cases for a second or so, then regains normal revs. In another case, the engine had to be restarted by key to regain momentum which can be extremely dangerous going around a corner.

I have a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo straight 6 I’m not mechanic by far so please I have to ask questions since the Jeep is all I ha e to drive and Its up to me to get it fixed I guess since I have know help by hand because I guess friends and so called friends are more important then our family itself so please I’ve been laughed in my face enough I need a little help I know very little about motors but I do know a little from helping daddy when I was growing up thank god which is very sick with C.O.P.D . Last stage that is I have to take him back and fourth to the doctor and everything in this Jeep so now all that being said all I’m asking is for a little help no hand outs I’m willing to try like !&&* on my own if there is a will there is a way is what I believe….. thanks to god that is ………

My 89 jeep will idle fine but as soon as I put it in gear and start driving it spits and sputters and sounds like it's loading up but definitely cutting out. I put a new carb, and new plugs in it I can't find the right cap and rotor for it anywhere.. Please Help. My husband past away so it's all on me now..