Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

1996 JEEP Cherokee HESITATES when HOT!!!

Sep 7, 2008 4:54AM PDT

No CODES, no nothing, just an intermittent hesitation when temps are over 85-degrees with A/C on. Problem started shortly after ECM had a Factory Software Upgrade performed. Sometimes when going up hills with slight pressure on the gas pedal, the engine will hesitate (like a bump), or when idling the engine will sound as if the plugs are fouled. When you press the pedal down further, the power comes back strong with no hesitation???!!!! 171K miles with no other issues. This Jeep has been great for 9 years! Any help would be appreciated.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Update
Oct 29, 2008 7:41AM PDT

did you figuare out the issue, my car has almost the same issues. Once the car runs for 15-20 minutes it starts to hesistate around 2000 RPMs and once you shut it off it runs fine again for a while.

- Collapse -
Jeep Cherokee "Missing" when warm
Oct 29, 2008 10:36PM PDT

I believe it's the ECM. There is no other logical reason. It's as thought the car starts "missing" after a while, and I can only conclude the the signals from the ECM are not correct, and I've found that the ECM is the culprit for dozens of problems (including this one). I'm going to buy a rebuilt ECM from Autozone, or another parts store. They're 50% less than going with another source, and you can return the part at the store if it doesn't work. Good luck!

- Collapse -
need help, is the problem resolved
Aug 3, 2009 5:13AM PDT

Did you resolve the missing problem. I have an identical issue with my 1998 Cherokee. No trouble light, just stumbling up a gradual hill or with extra load of Kayaks.

- Collapse -
need help
Mar 12, 2011 11:55AM PST

what fixed the missing up hill or under a load?

- Collapse -
96 Jeep Cherokee ECM replacement
Oct 21, 2009 9:53PM PDT

I need to know where the ECM is on my 96 Jeep Cherokee, in order to replace it and can I do it myself? It's a $20 part. Code: PO118