1988 JEEP CHEROKEE engine

1) Install the MAP sensor to the firewall. Tighten the MAP
sensor attaching nuts.
2) Connect the MAP sensor vacuum supply hose.
3) Connect the MAP sensor wire connector.
KNOCK SENSOR
Removal
1) Raise and support the vehicle.
2) Disconnect the knock sensor wire connector located below
and to the rear of the Coolant Temperature Sensor. See Fig. 20.
3) Remove knock sensor from left side of the engine block.
Fig. 20: Knock Sensor Connector
Courtesy of Chrysler Motors.
Installation

WARNING: The knock sensor MUST be tightened to the EXACT torque
specified in order to ensure proper operation.
1) Install the knock sensor to the cylinder block. Tighten
the knock sensor to 89 INCH Lbs. (10 Nm).
2) Connect the knock sensor wire connector.
3) Lower vehicle.
ENGINE SPEED SENSOR
Removal
1) Remove engine speed sensor wire connector. See Fig. 21.
2) Remove the engine speed sensor-to-transmission housing
attaching bolts. Remove engine speed sensor from transmission housing.
Fig. 21: Engine Speed Sensor Mounting Bolts
Courtesy of Chrysler Motors.
Installation
1) Install the engine speed sensor to the transmission

housing with 2 shoulder bolts. Tighten the engine speed sensor
shoulder bolts.
2) Connect the engine speed sensor wire connector.
ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU)
Removal
NOTE: The ECU is located below the instrument panel, between
the steering column and the A/C-Heater housing. See
Fig. 22. Three screws mount the ECU to a bracket.
1) Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2) Remove the 3 ECU attaching screws. See Fig. 23.
3) Disconnect the ECU wiring harness connector.
4) Remove the ECU.
Fig. 22: Location of ECU
Courtesy of Chrysler Motors.

Removal
1) Disconnect the battery negative cable.
2) On vehicles equipped with A/C, remove the electrical
cooling fan and shroud assembly from the radiator to allow room to
rotate the engine with a socket and ratchet using the vibration damper
bolt.
3) Scribe a mark on the distributor housing below the left
side (past) the number one spark plug wire post of the distributor cap\
for reassembly reference for No 1 cylinder firing position.
4) Remove the distributor cap.
5) Turn the engine in a clockwise direction until the rotor
is approaching the scribed mark on the distributor housing. Then
slowly turn the engine until the timing mark on the crankshaft
vibration damper lines up with zero on the front cover timing scale.
See Fig. 24 .
NOTE: The timing mark is located on the edge of the vibration
damper closest to the front cover.
Fig. 24: View of Crankshaft Vibration Damper Timing Marks
Courtesy of Chrysler Motors.
6) Align the trailing edge of the rotor blade with the mark
previously scribed on the distributor housing. See Fig. 25.

Fig. 25: Aligning Rotor & Distributor Cap for Removal
Courtesy of Chrysler Motors.
7) Remove the distributor hold-down bolt and clamp.
8) Remove the distributor from the engine.

Installation
1) If needed, use a flat blade screwdriver to turn the oil
pump gear shaft until the slot is slightly past the 11 o'clock
position. See Fig. 26. The oil pump shaft is located down in the
distributor hole.
Fig. 26: Aligning Oil Pump Gear Shaft
Courtesy of Chrysler Motors.
2) Install the rotor.
3) Without engaging the distributor gear into the cam gear
and ensuring the distributor gasket is installed, position the
distributor into the hole in the engine block.
4) Visually line up the hold down ear of the distributor
housing with the hold down clamp hole. See Fig. 27.
Fig. 27: Installing Distributor
Courtesy of Chrysler Motors.
5) Turn the rotor to the 4 o'clock position. See Fig. 28.

Electronic Spark Timing (EST) is used on most computer
controlled systems. The Electronic Control Module (ECM) monitors
information from various engine sensors, computes desired spark
timing, and signals distributor for correct timing change. The HEI
distributor with EST does not have centrifugal advance weights,
springs, or a vacuum advance unit. See Figs. 2 and 3.
HEI & EST WITH ELECTRONIC SPARK CONTROL (ESC)
All fuel injected vehicles are equipped with Electronic Spark
Control (ESC). ESC systems contain a knock sensor mounted in the
engine block. A Blue wire connects the sensor to the ESC module. If
the sensor detects knock, it sends a signal to the module which, in
turn, signals the ECM. The ECM sends a signal to the distributor to
retard spark timing.
Fig. 2: Typical HEI/EST Distributor, Integral coil system shown.
Courtesy of General Motors Corp.
OPERATION

The ECM monitors information concerning crankshaft position,
engine RPM, engine load, atmospheric conditions, engine temperature,
and transmission gear position. This information is used by the ECM to
compute desired spark timing which is relayed to the distributor,
enabling appropriate changes to be made to ignition timing. A back-up
spark advance system is incorporated to signal ignition module in the
event of ECM failure.
CAUTION: Although similar in appearance, components of HEI/EST and
HEI distributors are NOT interchangeable.
All Models With EST
The distributor module is connected to ECM by a 4-wire EST
connector which performs the following functions:
* Terminal "A" of the 4-wire connector is the reference ground
low. It is grounded in the distributor and ensures ground
circuit does not have a voltage drop. If circuit is open,
engine may experience poor performance.
* Terminal "B" of the 4-wire connector is the by-pass circuit.
At about 400 RPM, ECM applies 5 volts to this circuit to
switch spark timing control from module to ECM. An open or
grounded by-pass circuit will set a code 42 and the engine
will operate at base timing, plus a slight amount of advance
built into the module.
* Terminal "C" is the distributor reference High circuit. This
circuit provides the ECM with RPM and crankshaft position
information.
* Terminal "D" is the EST circuit, which triggers the module.
The ECM does not know what actual timing is, but does know
when it receives the reference signal. It will advance or
retard spark from that point. If base timing is set
incorrectly, engine spark curve will be incorrect.
SENSORS
On EST systems, the coolant temperature sensor signals ECM to
advance timing on a cold engine and return timing to programmed
advance curve as engine reaches normal operating temperature. If
engine overheats, spark is retarded to prevent detonation. During
light throttle operation, throttle position sensor input to ECM allows
for additional advance.
Spark advance is also governed by input from engine RPM and
Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor. When MAP output voltage is
low (high vacuum), ECM gives less spark advance. More spark advance is\
given when MAP output voltage is high (low vacuum).
ELECTRONIC SPARK CONTROL (ESC) SYSTEM
All Fuel Injected Engines
The basic components of Electronic Spark Control (ESC) system\
are detonation (knock) sensor, HEI/EST distributor, ESC module and
ECM. When detonation (knock) occurs, sensor sends an electrical signal\
to ESC module. The ESC module then sends the signal voltage to the
ECM. When the ECM senses a voltage drop (to less than one volt) on the\
knock sensor signal line, spark timing will be retarded. The ECM will
retard spark timing until all signals from detonation sensor cease.
See Fig. 4 .