To Cruise or Not To Cruise
Q:I recently purchased a 2004 Jeep Wrangler (with an automatic and A/C) to drive, since I'm getting too old to play with an antique, which was my first choice. The Wrangler doesn't have cruise control. That's no big deal in itself, but initially the salesman led me to believe I could install it myself. He later reneged and said it was quite hard to do. Can I install the cruise control or not?
A:It can be a complicated installation, one you may not want to do yourself. Mopar sells an original-equipment speed-control system for the 2004 Jeep Wrangler (part 82208190 for the 4.0-liter, 82208195 for the 2.4-liter engine) for about $235. The estimated professional labor time to install the system is 1.2 hours. The toughest part is installing the cruise switch, which requires removal of the steering wheel and partial disassembly of the steering column. This involves the use of special tools and working with potentially hazardous airbag components. In addition, you should research your particular Wrangler's date of assembly. Mopar notes that vehicles built between March 20, 2003, and March 12, 2004, may not have a needed servo connector in the engine compartment. If that's the case, the speed-control system can't be installed, period.
Can't Get Started
Q:I have a 1991 GMC 4x4 pickup with a 350cid motor, and, for the first few seconds of cranking, it doesn't seem to be getting any spark or fuel. Every once in a while it takes several tries before the engine does get spark and fuel, and when it happens, it's as if by magic. I've had a local GM person, who now runs his own shop, look at it. He checked and rechecked everything he could think of: switch, computer, ignition module, and distributor. He even replaced the pickup coil in the distributor, but hasn't found the cause. What do we check next?
A:You have to be sure there's a complete loss of both spark from the ignition coil to the spark plugs and pulse signals from the electronic or powertrain control module (the computer controlling the system) to the fuel injectors. Eliminating one can point you to the potential cause and the appropriate areas to inspect. The pickup coil within the distributor supplies the system with its most crucial signal, engine speed. A defective pickup coil is common when you lose spark and electronic signals to the injectors. If the pickup has already been replaced, carefully inspect all related wiring and connections, along with the ignition module located in the distributor assembly. A defective ECM or PCM also can produce similar symptoms. Take careful note as to whether the Service Engine Soon indicator on the instrument panel is illuminated when you first turn the ignition to "run" just prior to an unsuccessful startup. The light being out indicates a computer failure or a closely related system failure. An intermittent problem with the ECM or PCM also can be diagnosed by tapping the unit with the blunt end of a screwdriver while the engine is running. Any disturbance in engine performance indicates a defect. There also have been instances of loose electronic terminal connections at the computer causing circuit interruption. As always, the dealership service department is the best place to have intermittent failures diagnosed and repaired. The service department has the experience and training that enables it to cut to the chase more efficiently than most.