Need help sorting a variety of issues with my new TJ

@Paxton10

New Member
Original poster
Joined
Feb 11, 2024
Messages
7
Location
Atlanta GA
I apologize in advance for this very lengthy story. I bought a 1999 Jeep wrangler Sahara 2 years ago for $7000. The Vin numbers under my hood and in the back says it’s a 1999 Sahara. The Vin number on my dash is for a 1997 standard edition. My brother who works for a insurance company ran the numbers and my Sahara was totaled out and sold at auction with a salvaged title to a horrible man in SC. The trail for my Sahara ends there. At that point it became the 97 SE. I didn’t realize I had been scammed until 1 year after I purchased it (I’m blond) But going back to the beginning. 2 weeks after buying it the engine blew. I put in a used one it cost me $3000. 2 weeks after that the drive shaft/yoke went out and that cost me $2000. I’m writing all of this because I actually don’t know what parts I have in this thing. It’s a mess. Ever since I bought it my gauges don’t work right the battery and others will either not work at all or go to the highest level. About 2 months ago it started shutting off on me, usually when I stopped hard or turned abruptly. It would just completely shut off, but it would always start right back up. A month ago it started driving real sluggish when I was first accelerating (like it was out of gas) but it would always end up going. Until one day it didn’t. Two weeks ago it stopped all together when I took my foot off the gas. A friend (not really a friend it was some dude at the gas station) put zip ties to open the throttle so I drove it like that for a day, then I cut the zip ties and it was fine. Until it wasn’t. And now it just sits there. I put a new battery in it. I knew that wasn’t the main problem. But it did need to be replaced. I forgot to mention that periodically it wouldn’t start until I moved the battery cables around. So now it cranks but won’t start at all. My drunk brother, (not the insurance brother) I have 2. Anyway the drunk one checked all the fuses, gas pressure, but who knows (he’s always drunk). So if someone, anyone at all can offer me help, then please do. I’m poor, and sad and just want my Jeep to run. Also I’m a woman and not a smart one at that so dumb it down for me. Also please don’t state the obvious “take it to the mechanic” I AM POOR! But seriously any advice at all would be very much appreciated, thank you!! One last thing. If you’re the guy in SC that switched the Vin numbers and sold me this sh&t Jeep, you suck and you belong in Jail!
 
So your title says 97 4cylinder but you have a 99 6 cylinder? Is the frame vin the 99?

I did the same as your previous owner and gave it to my father.he has enjoyed 8 years of trouble free jeeping.i put a 97 se body on a 98 sahara rollover and it has been an awesome jeep after fixing a few things.

Randomly shutting off makes me think it could need a mopar crankshaft position sensor. The battery cable issue means you need to clean connections or get new cables. Different issues need different fixes. (PS, I'm blonde too but have managed to fix my jeep)
 
I did something similar...97 guys, wiring, PCM, 4.0 and vin on a 99 2.4 frame and tub.

Done right it's not an issue.

Done wrong...and you're where you're at...

My guess is you have a mishmash of wiring. I'd download the FSMs for both model years and start sampling wiring colors... mostly concerned with what year the engine harness is, what year the dash harness is, and taillight harness.

You might want to send your PCM to @Wranglerfix wranglerfix.com for testing and to identify the year. It's fine if it's a 97 as long as it's all 97.

-Mac
 
I apologize in advance for this very lengthy story. I bought a 1999 Jeep wrangler Sahara 2 years ago for $7000. The Vin numbers under my hood and in the back says it’s a 1999 Sahara. The Vin number on my dash is for a 1997 standard edition. My brother who works for a insurance company ran the numbers and my Sahara was totaled out and sold at auction with a salvaged title to a horrible man in SC. The trail for my Sahara ends there. At that point it became the 97 SE. I didn’t realize I had been scammed until 1 year after I purchased it (I’m blond) But going back to the beginning. 2 weeks after buying it the engine blew. I put in a used one it cost me $3000. 2 weeks after that the drive shaft/yoke went out and that cost me $2000. I’m writing all of this because I actually don’t know what parts I have in this thing. It’s a mess. Ever since I bought it my gauges don’t work right the battery and others will either not work at all or go to the highest level. About 2 months ago it started shutting off on me, usually when I stopped hard or turned abruptly. It would just completely shut off, but it would always start right back up. A month ago it started driving real sluggish when I was first accelerating (like it was out of gas) but it would always end up going. Until one day it didn’t. Two weeks ago it stopped all together when I took my foot off the gas. A friend (not really a friend it was some dude at the gas station) put zip ties to open the throttle so I drove it like that for a day, then I cut the zip ties and it was fine. Until it wasn’t. And now it just sits there. I put a new battery in it. I knew that wasn’t the main problem. But it did need to be replaced. I forgot to mention that periodically it wouldn’t start until I moved the battery cables around. So now it cranks but won’t start at all. My drunk brother, (not the insurance brother) I have 2. Anyway the drunk one checked all the fuses, gas pressure, but who knows (he’s always drunk). So if someone, anyone at all can offer me help, then please do. I’m poor, and sad and just want my Jeep to run. Also I’m a woman and not a smart one at that so dumb it down for me. Also please don’t state the obvious “take it to the mechanic” I AM POOR! But seriously any advice at all would be very much appreciated, thank you!! One last thing. If you’re the guy in SC that switched the Vin numbers and sold me this sh&t Jeep, you suck and you belong in Jail!

I feel so bad for you that I’m not going to charge you anything to test your pcm. You can call me to discuss at 866-888-7710.

“Gloom, dispair and agony on me!” -Heehaw 🤣
 
Well, she hasn't stolen anyone's avatar yet... :LOL:

@AndyG should use his own Jeep with a missing wheel for his avatar. :unsure: People assume he thinks he can do @Jerry Bransford trails with his Jeep. He can't. Most of us can't either. No shame.
P.S. @Jerry Bransford, can I use this pic of you for my avatar and pretend I'm you?

1707839181238.png
 
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Welcome to the best jeep forum on the planet!! Very sorry to hear all the trouble you are having, hang in there!! Also, absolutely address your PCM issues with Wranglerfix as he is THE GUY for pcm issues. Best of luck getting things sorted out!
 
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So your title says 97 4cylinder but you have a 99 6 cylinder? Is the frame vin the 99?

I did the same as your previous owner and gave it to my father.he has enjoyed 8 years of trouble free jeeping.i put a 97 se body on a 98 sahara rollover and it has been an awesome jeep after fixing a few things.

Randomly shutting off makes me think it could need a mopar crankshaft position sensor. The battery cable issue means you need to clean connections or get new cables. Different issues need different fixes. (PS, I'm blonde too but have managed to fix my jeep)

99 6 cylinder and yes the frame vin is a 99
 
I did something similar...97 guys, wiring, PCM, 4.0 and vin on a 99 2.4 frame and tub.

Done right it's not an issue.

Done wrong...and you're where you're at...

My guess is you have a mishmash of wiring. I'd download the FSMs for both model years and start sampling wiring colors... mostly concerned with what year the engine harness is, what year the dash harness is, and taillight harness.

You might want to send your PCM to @Wranglerfix wranglerfix.com for testing and to identify the year. It's fine if it's a 97 as long as it's all 97.

-Mac

I think it’s all 99. But since he couldn’t get a a title for the 99 (because it was salvaged) he changed the vin in the dash to the 97. That way he could get a title and sell it to a dumbass, like me
 
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I feel so bad for you that I’m not going to charge you anything to test your pcm. You can call me to discuss at 866-888-7710.

“Gloom, dispair and agony on me!” -Heehaw 🤣

OMG!!! Thank you so much! You’re awesome. I’m going to call you and tell you how awesome you are. I’m leaving work at 4 and I’ll call you!
 
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