1998 Jeep Wrangler intermitten rough idle

JUST4JOESJEEP

MEMBER
1998 JEEP WRANGLER
6 CYL
4WD
MANUAL
134,000 MILES

Jeep starts fine, after 1 1/2--2 minutes, idle will drop to just about stall, and then snaps back to proper idle. This happens all kinds of weather. If I drive before it has this tantrum, it will drop r's, and backfire, I can drop clutch and rev with no propblem, but if I try to accelerate to get it going, it backfires, it wants to go through this low idle phase again. Ive replaced plugs and wires, and cleaned the idle air control, (as to your advice) along with spraying carb cleaner into tbi. Once it goes through its tantrum, it runs fine, but all it takes is to shut down for a matter of minutes and it wants to repeat this problem. I should also mention that this vehicle sits for a week at a time, im an otr driver, so I only get to play in it on weekends

1 Reply

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

See my profile (ACTUALLY TAKE IT IN!), I do not know your rig, just some mehanicals in it.

You should have bought a CJ!

No computer, '76-'86 long span for few mechanical changes, Choices CJ5, CJ7, CJ8 ! Even before that '41-'75 kept lots of "Proven ideas and parts!

Parts and aftermarket stuff is geared toward, a rig being around forever!

Parts are inexpensive and will be available forever.

BACK TO YOU---SAW YOUR QUESTION IDLE FOR A WHILE, I WAS HOPING ONE OF THESE MODERN GUYS WOULD ANSWER YOU.

BEING A JEEP FELLER, MYSELF. I FEEL OBLIGATED TO AT LEAST KEEP YOU FROM WEARING YOUR SHOES OUT.

I WILL GIVE YOU, WHAT I CAN, THAT "COULD" MAYBE HELP.

With stuff reving up and down + other stuff, leads me to believe that your computer is either getting bad input or no input from sensor(s) on your rig.

Sensors on your rig and others similar "most of the time" throw a code, when they are in "distress".

Sometimes the code alerts you thru "check engine light" or other lights....IF LIGHT WORKS!!!

Regardless, to get you a "possible" FREE diagnosis of your "computer throwing or storing a code".

Take him to Advance Auto or Autozone (some others) they will, if they can FIND CODES---OR STORED CODES!

Usually the "experienced employee" can tell you what to change, where it is, maybe more specifics on it. And sell you what you need for entire repair.

GET YOU A MANUAL WHILE YOU ARE THERE, read thru it like a novel, to learn about your rig, use it like a dictionary for your fixes....now and later!

Please reply with good news!

I'm Rootin' for you!

Love, Turddog

1946 WILLYS....."WILLY" SAYS, "I'VE BEEN LOOKING AT THE HIGHWAY, A LONG TIME, I COMPUTE STUFF, THE OLD WAY!"