XJ running badly.

[East-Gippsland-XJCherokee]

OK, left to go for lunch at the oldies, took all of 5 minutes and the miss/stutter started, about 13.8v on the gauge, so unless the gauge is off it does not look that the alternator is overcharging. I pulled the light switch and the miss/stutter stop! Turned the lights off and drove for about 5 minutes and the miss/stutter came back again, pulled the light switch and stopped again.

When I left the oldies (lunch was great as always) I did not have one single miss/stutter, but seeing it was raining I had the wipers going (not sure if that is part of the temp fix). And seeing that I am sort of getting a grip on this gremlins behaviour, I go as far to say that when the miss/stutter is there it feels like the whole Heep runs diff, shifts somewhat less snappy and also think it seems less powerful, fix it with the lights on off trick, and it feels like the Heep gets put into sports/extra power mode.

I also had a good look and my Heep has an aftermarket wiring headlight loom installed, it has 2 relays (I think thats what they are) and maybe the problem is coming from there somehow, I am willing to have a go at making and installing this http://jeep-xj.info/HowtoHeadlightLoom.htm or even remove this after market headlight loom to see what happens when I drive without it.

My understanding of electrics is just not good enough for me to say yeah the problems is due to this or that, even seeing the headlight on off trick seems to indicate something being wrong in the wiring there, I first thought it might be the alternator as it could be overcharging, but the voltage gauge is not really going past 14v.

PLease feel free to add or throw an idea on to how to test or look at something else, I am waiting for that OBD2 plug in scan thing to come in before I go and try something else, as I hope that thing might show something.

[Billnick]

Do you have another battery that you can borrow temporarily to rule it out? Even one out of a motorbike would work if you hooked it up with a set of jumper leads. Take care to observe polarities and don't run the engine with no battery connected.

[bruggz351]

Bazaar...

Wonder is it an electrical load that is "resetting" the gremlin????
You mentioned while using the wipers, the gremlin wasn't there...

Perhaps try using the wipers, instead of the headlights, next time, just to see, as it will isolate the circuit.

[East-Gippsland-XJCherokee]

Originally Posted by Billnick

Do you have another battery that you can borrow temporarily to rule it out? Even one out of a motorbike would work if you hooked it up with a set of jumper leads. Take care to observe polarities and don't run the engine with no battery connected.

I have a deep cycle battery that lives in the back of my XJ, about 550 crack amps as well, just need to get a set of screw in terminals, and yeah good idea as well, you never know the battery could be a dud, although its only been in my Heep for 3 to 4 months or so, but worth doing just to eliminate another area/reason, will see if I can get a set of screw in terminal in town, if not will try Evilbay.

Cheers

[East-Gippsland-XJCherokee]

Originally Posted by bruggz351

Bazaar...

Wonder is it an electrical load that is "resetting" the gremlin????
You mentioned while using the wipers, the gremlin wasn't there...

Perhaps try using the wipers, instead of the headlights, next time, just to see, as it will isolate the circuit.

Yeah good thinking! I will test it next time during day light, will try the wipers first. And just to remind all of us, I have even had success most times when this gremlin was bad, put it in neutral whilst driving, turn the ignition off, than restart, and most times it cleared the problem for a period of time.

[East-Gippsland-XJCherokee]

Off the subject, any one watching UFC 202? About to start watching the early prelims.

[alexbrown64]

You have to look at the bright side. You have solved your mystery stutter that has been causing you a headache and costing you a fortune.
Now, its just a case of isolating the problem. Plug something like a car fridge into the ciggy lighter to see if its not just the drain on power from the lights that fixes the stutter. Like the other guys said, try a battery swap. You are almost there! Pop into an auto electrician and explain the problem.. maybe they can fix it quickly and cheaply, or tell you on the spot what it could be. Or, just drive with your lights on and enjoy the stutter free ride