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 Grand Cherokee just stopped while driving.

by jeepaussie Nov 3, 2007 10:58AM PDT

I was driving my jeep and it just stopped. I have a new battery, new ignition coil, new distributor cap with the rotor. All the lights work, the radio, turn signals etc. It makes a whirring sound like it wants to kick over but it won't start. The AAA guy checked the fuel pump and fuel line and they were fine. He looked over everything and said he cant work out what else it would be. Everything else looks good. Someone told me it could be the crank position sensor?? They also said it seemed that there seemed to be no spark getting to the distributor cap (sorry if that doesn't make sense I am learning alot about cars this weekend.)

I don't know what is wrong with it. I don't want to put money into replacing parts that don't need to be replaced. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Discussion is locked

10 Posts
- Collapse + Expand Details
- Collapse -
Hope this helps
by svo306 Jan 12, 2008 10:54AM PST

I had a similar problem with my 96 Grand Cherokee. Stopped while I was driving, would occasionally not start, or be hard to start from time to time. I changed the crank position sensor, and haven't had a problem since. It's hard to get to. Good luck with fixing it. Have you had the Jeep scanned for an error code?

- Collapse -
Jeep Stalling
by Dezelsky1 Mar 14, 2008 4:20AM PDT

Have replaced a ton of parts on my sons 94 GCL. Today the Crank Sensor. Will let you know in a week or two if this is FINALLY the answer. The scary thing is how many people are having the same problem with their jeeps....

- Collapse -
Fixed!!
by Dezelsky1 Jun 3, 2008 5:07AM PDT

Almost three months without stalling, HoHooo!!
The Crank Position Sensor did the trick. Now if I can get it to stop bucking from 1st to 2nd in the morning for the first 3 or 4 miles....

- Collapse -
Bucking
by AustinJeeper Jun 6, 2008 6:08AM PDT

Never had a really smooth shifting Jeep myself so i would just get used to the bucking unfortunately.

- Collapse -
crank sensor
by sugar6839 Aug 4, 2009 7:35AM PDT

how much was the crank sensor and where is it located to change it.
Also, is there a way to test it?
thank you!

- Collapse -
crankshaft position sensor repeating issue
by julio.arriaga Nov 25, 2009 7:42AM PST

Hi all.

I know this is an old post, I hope I'm able to get some help.
I had the same problem that my 96 GCL stopped while running. When it did, I heard a load cranking noise. It turned out that somehow the flywheel destroyed the sensor (it had the flywheel marks all over the sensor). Changed the sensor, and got it working again.
The ugly thing is that it has happend again. Altough this time it did not stopped while running, but instead I started having trouble starting up the jeep on the morning (while it was cold). After the jeep heated no issues were observed but the check engine light was lit all the time.
When I took it to the repair shop, they tell me the sensor is damaged again, but don't have a clue at the moment of what the fault could be.

Any ideas?

- Collapse -
Jeep Grand Cher 96 4.0L. Cold starts OK, won't start warm
by Paul D Rice Apr 24, 2010 3:12AM PDT

My Jeep starts fine in the morning, but after running a few errands,
won't start until the engine gets cold.
All dash warning lights come on, but the starter does not engage, like the car is not in PARK.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Paul

- Collapse -
won't start
by malindaleblanc Nov 30, 2014 12:09AM PST

that is the crank shaft sensor that's what happen to me..

- Collapse -
my headlights won't shut off
by jeep1996 May 8, 2010 10:33AM PDT

I have a 1996jeep grand cherokee limited edition i don't know why but my head lights will not shut off
I have disconnected the battery and this has still not helped I have tryed the fuses and nothing, the blue highbeem light on my dashboard is on, the high beems are not on. if I flick my signal switch for the high beems they will turn onand off, but the blur light will not go away, after I turn my ignition off and have the sweitch for the lights to the off position and remove the key from the ignition the lights are still ingagaed. I don't know what is causing it someone told me it is a moudual.. if anyone knows why this would be happening and how I can fix the problum to turn off my lights please let me know

- Collapse -
96 jeep cherokee
by vstond27 Mar 27, 2013 5:41AM PDT

I am having a similar problem. I had my 96 jeep Cherokee sport out in the woods for a little bit (nothing crazy) and on my way out while driving on a dirt road the motor just stopped yet my stereo and headlights still were working. Someone had stolen my gas cap a week or 2 ago so I thought it wasn't getting gas so I replaced the fuel filter and it was a little dirty but still would not start so after reading many of these forms and talking to a few mechanic buddy's found it might be the crankshaft sensor (since it is not getting any spark) and after replacing it still nothing. im currently waiting for a tow to auto zone to have them scan the computer and see what codes come up. any ideas please lmk I will keep you posted on what I find from the computer.

Back to Auto Repair - Roadshow forum

CNET Forums

Operating Systems
Software
Electronics & Gadgets
Hardware
Tablets & Mobile Devices
General Help
Brand Forums
Roadshow Autos
Off Topic

Other Forums

Forum Info