1990 Jeep Cherokee Limited from North America - Comments

Okay, where do I start?

Let's start with the ignition process:

This lovely little vehicle had a bit of a starting problem. For some reason, every once in a while, my little baby just didn't feel like starting. I thought it could have been a few different problems, so I replaced both the alternator and the starter. Didn't work. Fortunately, I had a good friend who showed me that if I popped the hood and connected a little wire to the battery and a relay switch, it would jump-start the vehicle. There were many occasions where I would be able to experience this lovely adventure twice before even leaving the parking lot. Once, it died in the middle of a 'K-turn' on a busy road. It was an adrenaline pumping occasion to jump start my jeep in the face of oncoming danger.

Let's speak for a moment on the cooling system of the 1990 era jeep. It seems that the good people of the Chrysler Corporation set out to find the most inefficient means of cooling an engine, then placed that contraption under my hood. I had the joy of replacing the radiator, all the hoses, a coolant reservoir and water pump. In other words: the entire system. After all of this was completed, the system still decided to send my little red jeep to the grave by overheating yet again, thereby cracking the block and leaking antifreeze into the third cylinder. I was so happy to get the $100 dollars from the junkyard for it.

Oh yea, did I forget to mention the exhaust system? I had the pleasure of replacing ALL of that as well. It seems that the mounts to the system rusted right off the underbody of the jeep. Boy did I have fun dragging my exhaust assembly down the highway, with my motor sounding reminiscent of a 1940's era fighter plane.

I replaced the battery too; perhaps it was just the right time for a new one... or perhaps not.

Oh did I neglect to mention that all of this took place in less than a year? Yea, that's right.

For what its worth, I really did love the truck. I guess that's what made me so furious with its quick departure. There was no expense spared on the making of the vehicle. It had power seats, locks, windows, a sunroof, mirror tint, and keyless entry. Not bad for a vehicle made 13 years ago. (the keyless entry didn't work, but it would have been cool if it did)

For a vehicle that is 13 years old, I would say that that is pretty darn good! You have to expect to fix something, particularly if it is a "wear item". All of the cooling system is a "wear item". Some rust is to be expected also.

The starting thing...

You turn the key and nothing happened, just like a dead battery? If so, the neutral start switch. A bargain at $250, available only at the dealer. Or $0.05 for a screw to ground out the switch. (just don't start when in gear)

The starting thing...

Mine is alittle different. With the jeep started the key will easily pull out of the ignition.

I had problems with coolant too. Got fixed when they found a leaky freeze plug (naturally in a place where they had to disconnect the tranny from the engine to get to it).

Its getting up there in years. Hate to have to get rid of it, but its just not worth the repair cost.

A 'normal' 13-years old vehicle problems? Sounds odd. My first car was a 17-years old VW Passat Diesel. When, in sommer, much younger (FIAT) cars overheated and had to stop, mine didn't even touch the 'hot' mark. Now, the old German legend has 22 years behind it, and soon (I hope) complete its 300,000. It still has the ORIGINAL alternator, three ORIGINAL glow plugs (out of four), an ORIGINAL gearbox and radiator, and of course the original engine. The starter motor only died when I, for more than a year (a completele 'green' diesel-owner) started the engine in freezing cold on 3 cylinders (with one dead glow plug), and on summer diesel fuel. Imagine that it finally did start, after turning the starter for three MINUTES (not seconds) each cold winter day. Well, I live in quite cold country (poland), and had just one occasion to travel by jeep cherokee (as a passenger). The driver told me that he just bought the 7-years old jeep from Canada, and already has grave oil-spilling problems. That's why I bought a Passat later. Simple!

(the keyless entry didn't work, but it would have been cool if it did)

FYI the keyless entry was infrared. (Line of sight) They only worked close to the vehicle.