Weird-ass Jeep Cherokee stall issue - resolved

[5chn3ll]

There were about 500 ways to go - I lucked into finding what turned out to be the issue.

I was really skeptical that it would actually be the root cause, but after a couple of weeks and about 500 miles including snow and limited off-roading, not a single indication that the issue is not resolved.

Just an idear - you could've checked the fuel trims if you had a hunch about a fuel delivery issue. If the engine wasn't getting enough fuel, I'm sure the ecu would've shown an increase in fuel trims and potentially misfire codes.


Glad it was something that appears to be simple. Why do you think the engine would die only at stop signs and not while moving? Did you do a voltage drop test across the post and terminal clamp/other points?

[5chn3ll]

Over the weekend, I added a generic Autozone battery terminal clamp to the factory battery terminal clamp. It looks fantastically pathetic, but it works well and nothing has been hacked. The bottom half of the OEM clamp is now clamped inside the aftermarket clamp, which is clamped to the battery clamp terminal.

[32wildbilly]

Over the weekend, I added a generic Autozone battery terminal clamp to the factory battery terminal clamp. It looks fantastically pathetic, but it works well and nothing has been hacked. The bottom half of the OEM clamp is now clamped inside the aftermarket clamp, which is clamped to the battery clamp terminal.

20190226_160116.jpg

Still can't get over how lame the OEM clamp appears.

[5chn3ll]

I probably could have fixed it by adjusting the bend on the OEM clamp, but I was tired of dicking with it. Even with the lead shim, the Jeep clamp was still loose enough to turn by hand - which is kind of not great for something you bounce around off-road in.

[FRUNKenstein]

You realize that's gonna cost you points at the next Jeep concours, right?

[32wildbilly]

You realize that's gonna cost you points at the next Jeep concours, right?

I have to regretfully admit that was funny. Not frunkENSTEIN funny mind you, but still funny!

[5chn3ll]

Nothing is frunkenstein funny, up to and including frunkenstein.

[32wildbilly]

Nothing is frunkenstein funny, up to and including frunkenstein.

True...true.

[5chn3ll]

I checked the clamp this weekend, and it's still just not as tight as I'd like. Pretty sure that the battery post is either slightly out of spec re: diameter or roundness.

Regardless, I dug deep into my celebrated Southern heritage and applied a fix that I know will address the issue for the life of the battery...

...I drove a stainless screw into the gap between the clamp and the post. That clamp and post are now married in a union tighter than a certain orange bunghole waiting for the Muller summary to be released...

[32wildbilly]

I checked the clamp this weekend, and it's still just not as tight as I'd like. Pretty sure that the battery post is either slightly out of spec re: diameter or roundness.

Regardless, I dug deep into my celebrated Southern heritage and applied a fix that I know will address the issue for the life of the battery...

...I drove a stainless screw into the gap between the clamp and the post. That clamp and post are now married in a union tighter than a certain orange bunghole waiting for the Muller summary to be released...

Bailing wire, duct tape or, apparently, a stainless steel screw has saved numerous failed engineering designs over they years!