98 TJ 2.5 having crank / cam sensor issues

Tooonz

New Member
Joined
May 18, 2024
Messages
5
Location
Central Mass
First off I am a new member here but not new to jeeps. I’ve had Cj’s, TJ’s JK’s and now my wife has a JL.

This jeep will be for my son. It’s a 1998 base model TJ we picked up as a project. It’s solid but has been slightly neglected. It has 150K miles. It ran good enough to drive home.
My main issue was to determine the engine light issue other dash lights such as “ check gauges” which I determined was an oil pressure sensor. I replaced the oil pressure sensor, fixed that light, then the engine light gave me a code for the throttle body sensor. After diagnosing all other options such as loose or missing grounds ( The ground strap to the head was not connected ) I finally replaced the TPS sensor. The engine light went off, the engine finally idled, a bit high but it idled and didnt sputter. Then the engine light came back on. So I read the code and this time it was P1391 cam/crank sensor.

At this point I decided it was time to give this jeep a full tune up. I ordered new wires, plugs, cap, rotor, distributor pick up ( cam sensor ) and a crank sensor. I focused on the cam sensor first, changed rotor, cap, wires and plugs. All the original parts were in dyer need of replacement. Started it up, seemed to run better and idle better but I should also interject here and say once the P1391 code came on driveability was diminished due to the engine bogging down when I pressed the gas pedal. After changing the cam sensor and the ignition parts the idle smoothed pout however the bogging was still evident.

So I figured I would at least replace the cam sensor, possibly that was the main issue. So last night I squeezed my fat fingers up under the bell housing and changed the crank sensor. Removed the old one from the connector, added some dielectric grease and reconnected the new crank sensor. I should also state all the ignition parts and sensors are standard brand.

So this is the part that is most troublesome to me, now the jeep won’t run, at best it barely idles. When I start the engine it seems as if the timing is off . Runs like crap. Can’t give it any gas or it dies.

I am at a total loss here and am at the mercy of the TJ gurus.

This jeep just might kick my butt. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I love these jeeps, I truly feel the TJ was the last true jeep before they breeded with a rouge Tahoe.

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First off I am a new member here but not new to jeeps. I’ve had Cj’s, TJ’s JK’s and now my wife has a JL.

This jeep will be for my son. It’s a 1998 base model TJ we picked up as a project. It’s solid but has been slightly neglected. It has 150K miles. It ran good enough to drive home.
My main issue was to determine the engine light issue other dash lights such as “ check gauges” which I determined was an oil pressure sensor. I replaced the oil pressure sensor, fixed that light, then the engine light gave me a code for the throttle body sensor. After diagnosing all other options such as loose or missing grounds ( The ground strap to the head was not connected ) I finally replaced the TPS sensor. The engine light went off, the engine finally idled, a bit high but it idled and didnt sputter. Then the engine light came back on. So I read the code and this time it was P1391 cam/crank sensor.

At this point I decided it was time to give this jeep a full tune up. I ordered new wires, plugs, cap, rotor, distributor pick up ( cam sensor ) and a crank sensor. I focused on the cam sensor first, changed rotor, cap, wires and plugs. All the original parts were in dyer need of replacement. Started it up, seemed to run better and idle better but I should also interject here and say once the P1391 code came on driveability was diminished due to the engine bogging down when I pressed the gas pedal. After changing the cam sensor and the ignition parts the idle smoothed pout however the bogging was still evident.

So I figured I would at least replace the cam sensor, possibly that was the main issue. So last night I squeezed my fat fingers up under the bell housing and changed the crank sensor. Removed the old one from the connector, added some dielectric grease and reconnected the new crank sensor. I should also state all the ignition parts and sensors are standard brand.

So this is the part that is most troublesome to me, now the jeep won’t run, at best it barely idles. When I start the engine it seems as if the timing is off . Runs like crap. Can’t give it any gas or it dies.

I am at a total loss here and am at the mercy of the TJ gurus.

This jeep just might kick my butt. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I love these jeeps, I truly feel the TJ was the last true jeep before they breeded with a rouge Tahoe.

View attachment 527830

TJ PCM's are incredibly intolerant to non-OEM sensors for whatever reasons. In the past people have had these issues. I replaced a TPS on my 2003 2.4 when I had a TJ with an AutoZone sensor and had to do it again 6 months later. You're gonna want Mopar cam/crank sensors.
 
TJ PCM's are incredibly intolerant to non-OEM sensors for whatever reasons. In the past people have had these issues. I replaced a TPS on my 2003 2.4 when I had a TJ with an AutoZone sensor and had to do it again 6 months later. You're gonna want Mopar cam/crank sensors.

I thought I read somewhere that mopar crank sensors don’t exist anymore.
 
Update* I read on a thread somewhere to remove battery cables and hold them together, I did that for 20 seconds or so. Reattached them and started the jeep. It sputtered a bit but then smoothed out. Idled around 800 rpm’s and the engine light went off. I still couldn’t get more than 1800 Rpm’s out it under load before it would sputter and buck but it did run better. I’m going to change the fuel filter and see if that makes any difference.
 
Update* I read on a thread somewhere to remove battery cables and hold them together, I did that for 20 seconds or so. Reattached them and started the jeep. It sputtered a bit but then smoothed out. Idled around 800 rpm’s and the engine light went off. I still couldn’t get more than 1800 Rpm’s out it under load before it would sputter and buck but it did run better. I’m going to change the fuel filter and see if that makes any difference.

The fuel filter is built into the pump and is likely not your issue. I'd suspect a PCM at this point if resetting it changed the outcome.
 
I’ve had a misfire sputter issue with my 2.5 a few times and every time it’s been the crank position sensor. I’ve even spent the money for a mopar one and it also gave me issues after a while. I’ve had brand new ones not solve the issue and did new ignition to fuel from the whole distributor not just the cap and did the timing to fuel pump and the then when I put in a new crank sensor it worked fine so make sure to get a good one in there before replacing everything for it to be just the sensor or pcm.
 
I’ve had a misfire sputter issue with my 2.5 a few times and every time it’s been the crank position sensor. I’ve even spent the money for a mopar one and it also gave me issues after a while. I’ve had brand new ones not solve the issue and did new ignition to fuel from the whole distributor not just the cap and did the timing to fuel pump and the then when I put in a new crank sensor it worked fine so make sure to get a good one in there before replacing everything for it to be just the sensor or pcm.

I Bought a “ standard” ignition brand. They used to be good. I can buy a mopar one now that Cooper showed me they’re available however you said you even had an issue with a mopar one. What was your problem in your 2.5? Did you get it resolved?
 
I Bought a “ standard” ignition brand. They used to be good. I can buy a mopar one now that Cooper showed me they’re available however you said you even had an issue with a mopar one. What was your problem in your 2.5? Did you get it resolved?

I think i currently have a standard branded one in that I just picked up in store bc I was 16hours away from home when I had that issue. I did spark plugs, wires, and throttle position sensor before buying the the crank sensor because all those were cheaper than just the crank sensor. Those other things helped but the stutter to misfire was still present till I did the crack sensor with was replacing a mopar with the new standard. Surprised that one hasn’t given me any issues yet. I did buy an Amazon one years ago with the same issue and those never worked brand new.