r/CherokeeXJ

In the process of replacing my cracked exhaust manifold, I've run into a problem that, from what I can tell, is unique only to me.

After disconnecting all the peripherals, I was ready to remove the bolts securing the intake and exhaust manifolds. I had my extensions, universal joints, and PB Blaster, got my gloves on and reached under to see just how inconveniently these bolts were placed, when I discovered that I was exempt from the challenge of having to take them out: all four of the lower intake bolts were missing—presumably from shoddy past service.

Position of the mounting bolts with five (reinstalled) upper bolts in green, and four (missing) lower bolts in red

While spared from the hassle of having to wrestle those bolts free, my progress is otherwise completely stopped as I’m now facing the more immediate issue of finding replacements for the four missing bolts and their specialized washers.

Any help from anyone with experience in sourcing these parts would be much appreciated. Also, any suggestions on what or where to inspect specifically considering this 200k+ mile vehicle has been driving on an only half-secured intake manifold for an unknown amount of time would also be appreciated.

I am out of ideas. i cannot get rid of p0505 which is idle system malfunction. every sensor has been replaced and the throttle body has been gone through. when it’s cold the jeep doesn’t want to idle and once it’s finally up to temp it idles just under 1000rpm. with a scan tool it shows that the throttle percentage is 13.7 at idle which doesn’t seem right at all. not sure where to go next any help would be great. i also frequently get o2 sensor heater circuit codes but im not sure if they would be related at all. sprayed every vaccum line with brake clean to see for vacuum leaks and no change in idle. when i push up on the throttle body sort of closing it more it seems to idle down ever so slightly maybe 75rpm difference. anyone have a similar issue that would be able to help. i’m really stumped and i just want this thing to not be screaming in park. 2000 xj aw4 211k miles but around 145k on earlier model motor not sure of year.

Hi everyone, I have a 2000 with 189,000 miles that I daily drive. Lately I’ve been noticing a droning noise / low hum that kicks in when I let off the gas and coasting.

Australian owner of a 1996 XJ 4.0 Auto here. This is a Hail Mary post. My XJ is suffering the usual crank / no start condition with a faulty ECU (you know, where the capacitors leak onto the board).

This is a huge reason Aussie XJs go on the scrap heap... we have a mostly hot and dry climate so rust is not an issue here.

Problem is, due to the miniscule numbers of XJs in wrecking yards, finding a compatible ECU is next to impossible, especially when searching for a 'ran when parked' vehicle with a known good ECU. Those computers get snapped up very quickly (to quote a FB Marketplace seller of a working ECU last month "I could have sold that ECU a million times over").

My understanding is that a 1996 is a transition year which has the early OBDII setup but is not VIN coded. My ECU is part number 56041252 (but appears to be from a wrecker vehicle so who knows if that is the factory part number for my VIN). As I understand it, there are a number of ECU P/Ns interchangeable for 1996 4.0 Autos.
I have found example part numbers here: https://www.fs1inc.com/1996-jeep-cherokee-4-0l-engine-computer-pcm-ecm-ecu-programmed.html

If it helps, my VIN is: 1J4FJB8S5TL329668

My history attempting ECU repairs over the last 6 months have been:

ECU #1: pulled from my vehicle (p/n 56041252): sent to a popular eBay ECU repairer based in the USA. Waited approx. 8 weeks to be told it cannot be repaired; out of pocket $220 AUD.

ECU #2: found at a wrecker (p/n 56041297): sent to an Australian ECU repairer, less than one week turnaround but same story as number 1 cannot be repaired. $295 AUD out of pocket for the investigation.

ECU #3: learnt my lesson and purchased a fresh refurbished unit from a different US based ECU repairer on eBay ($1005 AUD). Plugged it in, vehicle fired up immediately and drove around great for 24 hours, then stalled. Back to the crank no start condition. My auto electrician has diagnosed the refurb ECU as faulty (!) Currently working on a warranty claim with this eBay seller which has me going back and forth between them and my auto electrician (which I can understand). Very slow process, especially with the time difference and no way to pick up the phone and actually talk to them. It's been 3 weeks already. Got a gut feeling this will drag out over a period of time.

I would love to learn of a source of known good XJ ECUs, if such a thing exists. Surely there's people out there pulling these computers from rusted out cars all over North America. Anyone out there who could point me in the right direction, or provide some suggestions?

I love my car and it deserves to stay on the road. It's in good original condition. I don't want to scrap it over one or two failed capacitors.

TLDR; Australian seeking help from North Americans who have a bigger pool of spare parts

https://preview.redd.it/q16bg04va92h1.jpg?width=1024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fe7f13b1b6c7b8f14bae0778d9fdc2066bd589fa