Q: I have a 1990 Jeep Cherokee with some weird stalling issues.

asked by on January 14, 2017

So I have a 90 cherokee with some weird stalling issues. It will start and run fine in park or nutral but will stall when I put it in gear. Also when running if i touch anything electronic (breaks lights ect) it kills everything immediately like a short also wile running if i tap on or move my rear driveshaft it stalls. I have replaced the cps, distriburater, cap, plugs, wires, and countless other things. I also did some testing for ant shorts and could not find anything shorting out or drawing power. I'm really at a loss and its my daily driver so I really need to figure it out soon. thanks for your time.

My car has 190000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Electric Problems Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote
Car is stalling Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hi there. Seems that the troubleshooting is leading to the transmission. When the vehicle goes into drive or reverse, if the transmission is lock up or the converter clutch is active, the engine will stall. When tapping on or turning the driveshaft and the engine stalling could be an issue with the chassis grounds and engine grounds. A ground will not allow the engine to operate properly. The wiring on the vehicle could be rusty and not make a good connection. If you need further assistance with your engine stalling, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

What type of tire chains should be used and what precautions should be followed?
If you live in an area where winter snow and ice can be a problem, you’ll need to be prepared. One of the best precautions to take is to carry a set of tire chains in your car, particularly if...
How do you automatically transfer a call from a phone to the HandsFreeLink?
Your HandsFreeLink® (HFL) system is pretty advanced, and offers the ability to transfer a call from the phone to the car even if the call is already in progress. Here’s how to set up automatic transferring: Press the phone button...
Car not going into park.
Hi there. The shift linkage would need to be inspected for bad end bushings that might have falling apart. The bushings hold the transmission linkage and the shifter linkage together. When the bushings go bad, it will make selecting park...
Car jerking and hard to start
I wouldn’t jump the gun and replace O2 sensors yet. When the engine is cold and first starts, the O2 sensors are not used until they warm up. A poorly running engine, and/or exhaust leaks, can cause false O2 codes....
Car idling roughly
It sounds like you are experiencing an engine misfire. In your vehicle this is usually a problem with the ignition system which may require a tune up. This would include replacing the spark plugs (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/spark-plugs-replacement) and ignition wires (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/ignition-cable-spark-plug-wires-replacement). It...
Front end vibration, steering wheel shaking
Hi there. I would have the tires rotated to see if the problem changes. If it does, then was a tire that was warped or worn unevenly. The problem is that balancing can be off depending on where you get...
Cannot shift out of park and the engine won't start
Hello. The shift interlock system keeps your car in park until you turn the key and step on the brake. It will not release the shifter until these two things occur. The first thing you need to do is check...
brake lights stay on when driving
Hello. If your brake lights are staying on, even after a new stop light switch has been installed then it may be possible that there is an issue elsewhere. It does not appear that this model of vehicle requires any...
The car does not move
This problem would need additional information to diagnose it for you. I would recommend getting the computer scanned for codes and then the codes pinpoint test done to see if it is a computer sensor failure or check fuel pressure...

Related articles

Are Switches Inside a Car Waterproof?
The The electrical switches inside your car control functions throughout your vehicle. You have switches that turn your headlights and radio on or off, adjust the volume of your sound system, open the power windows, and lock the power door...
How to Buy a Good Quality Transmission
When When it comes to costly parts, the transmission is right up there among the most expensive. Because of that many people opt to purchase a used transmission, which is not usually the ideal route to take. Why is that?...
How Long Does a Transmission Position Sensor (Switch) Last?
All All automatic transmission vehicles have a safety switch in place that only allows them to start if they are in park or neutral gars. The transmission position sensor, also called the transmission position switch, ensures the vehicle is in...