1988 JEEP CHEROKEE battery

electrical system overload.
BATTERY WARNING
WARNING: When battery is disconnected, vehicles equipped with
computers may lose memory data. When battery power is
restored, driveability problems may exist on some
vehicles. These vehicles may require a relearn procedure.
See the COMPUTER RELEARN PROCEDURES article in GENERAL
INFORMATION section.
ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE SENSITIVE (ESD) PARTS
WARNING: Many solid state electrical components can be damaged by
static electricity (ESD). Some will display a warning label,
but many will not. Discharge personal static electricity by
touching a metal ground point on the vehicle prior to
servicing any ESD sensitive component.
HALOGEN BULBS
Halogen bulbs contain pressurized gas which may explode if
overheated. DO NOT touch glass portion of bulb with bare hands. Eye
protection should be worn when handling or working around halogen
bulbs.
RADIATOR CAP
CAUTION: Always disconnect the fan motor when working near the
radiator fan. The fan is temperature controlled and could
start at any time even when the ignition key is in the OFF
position. DO NOT loosen or remove radiator cap when cooling
system is hot.

Fig. 2: Typical Heater & Defroster Components
Courtesy of Chrysler Motors.
BLOWER MOTOR R & I
NOTE: On Cherokee and Comanche, blower motor and fan are removed
from engine compartment.
Removal & Installation
1) Remove heater core housing assembly. On all models, remove
blower motor electrical connectors. Detach screws retaining blower
motor assembly to heater housing. Remove blower motor and fan
assembly. On Cherokee and Comanche, detach fan retaining clip from fan
hub, if necessary. Remove fan from motor shaft.
2) To install, reverse removal procedure. If removed, ensure
ears of retaining clip are over flat surface on motor shaft. Check
blower motor and heater operation.
CONTROL PANEL R & I
Removal & Installation
1) Disconnect battery ground. On Cherokee, remove lower
instrument panel. On all models, remove instrument panel bezel. On
Cherokee, remove clock and radio (if equipped).
2) On all models, remove heater control panel attaching
screws. Pull out control panel and disconnect vacuum hoses, wires and
cables. Note locations for reassembly reference. Remove control panel.
To install, reverse removal procedure.
CONTROL CABLES R & I
REMOVAL (CHEROKEE & COMANCHE)
Remove control panel. Detach cable from heater control panel.

Remove retaining clip and cable self-adjusting clip from blend-air
door lever at bottom of blower housing. Remove cable by squeezing tabs
with needle nose pliers. Do not break housing.
INSTALLATION
To install, connect cable self-adjusting clip to blend-air
door lever, then snap cable into position. Install retaining clip onto
blend-air door lever. Route cable to A/C-heater control panel and
connect. Install control panel.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION (WRANGLER)
1) Disconnect cables from vent doors. Disconnect cables from
heater control panel levers. Remove cables by squeezing tabs with
needle nose pliers.
2) Connect and adjust cables as described in ADJUSTMENTS
section of this article
HEATER CORE R & I
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION (CHEROKEE & COMANCHE)
1) Disconnect battery ground. Drain cooling system.
Disconnect heater hoses at heater core inlet and outlet tubes.
Disconnect blower motor wires and vent tube. Remove console (if
equipped). Remove lower instrument panel.
2) Disconnect electrical connectors from blower motor
resistors. Disconnect vacuum hose at vacuum motor. Cut plastic
retaining strap holding blower housing to heater core housing.
3) Disconnect and remove heater control cable. Detach clip at
rear of blower housing flange and remove retaining screws. Remove
housing mounting nuts from studs on engine compartment side of dash
panel. Remove right kick panel.
4) Remove instrument panel support bolt. Gently pull on right
side of dash, then rotate housing downward and toward rear of vehicle
to disengage housing studs from dash panel. Remove blower housing.
Detach retaining screws and remove heater core by pulling it straight
out of housing.
5) To install, reverse removal procedure. Ensure seal is
cemented in place to prevent movement when blower assembly is
installed. Connect heater hoses and fill cooling system.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION (WRANGLER)
1) Disconnect battery ground. Drain about 2 quarts of coolant
from radiator. Disconnect heater hoses at heater core inlet and outlet
tubes. Disconnect vent door cables. Disconnect blower motor wires.
Disconnect defroster duct.
2) Remove nuts attaching heater housing studs to engine
compartment side of dash panel. Remove heater housing assembly by
tilting it downward, to disengage it from defroster duct.
3) Pull heater housing rearward and out from under instrument
panel. Remove heater housing cover from heater housing assembly.
Remove heater core from housing.
HEATER SYSTEM OPREATION CHART & VACUUM DIAGRAM
HEATER SYSTEM OPERATION TABLE







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IG NIT IO N S YSTE M - 2 .5 L W /R EN IX E LE C TR O NIC IG NIT IO N

1988 J e ep C hero ke e
Distributors & Ignition Systems
JEEP RENIX ELECTRONIC IGNITION
2.5L TBI: Cherokee, Comanche, Wagoneer, Wrangler
DESCRIPTION
The Renix electronic ignition system consists of a solid-
state Ignition Control Module (ICM), a distributor, a Top Dead Center
(TDC) sensor, and an Electronic Control Unit (ECU).
OPERATION
IGNITION CONTROL MODULE (ICM)
The ignition control module is located in engine compartment,
just left of battery. The ICM consists of a solid-state ignition
circuit and an integrated ignition coil that can be removed and
serviced separately.
Electronic signals from the electronic control unit to the
ICM determine the amount of ignition timing or retard needed to meet
various engine requirements. The electronic control unit provides an
input signal to the ICM. The ICM has only 2 outputs: a tach signal to
the tachometer and diagnostic connector, and a high voltage signal
from the coil to the distributor cap.
TDC SENSOR
The TDC sensor senses TDC and BDC crankshaft positions as
well as engine RPM. Sensor is located on left rear side of engine and
is not adjustable. Sensor is secured by special shouldered bolts to
flywheel/drive plate housing.
TESTING
1) Disconnect ignition coil wire from center tower of
distributor cap. Using insulated pliers, hold coil wire about 1/2" (13
mm) away from engine block. Crank engine and check for spark between
wire and engine block.
2) If spark occurs, reconnect coil wire to distributor cap.
Remove spark plug wire from one spark plug. Using insulated pliers,
hold wire about 1/2" (13 mm) away from engine block.
3) Crank engine and check for spark between wire and engine
block. If spark occurs, check fuel system for problems. If no spark
occurs, check for a defective rotor, distributor cap, or spark plug
wires. Replace parts as necessary.
4) If rotor, cap and wires are okay, check for loose or
corroded connections at coil terminals. If necessary, clean terminals
and wires. Ensure wires are properly seated on coil terminals and not
wedged between coil body and terminal. If okay, go to next step.
5) Check for loose connectors at ICM or ECU. Verify that wire
connectors are firmly plugged into ICM and ECU. Also check for loose
ICM or ECU ground wire connections at oil dipstick bracket. Clean and
tighten if necessary.
6) Load test battery to ensure battery is fully charged.
Replace battery if necessary. If battery is okay, check voltage
between terminals "A" and "B" of ICM connector while cranking engine.
See Fig. 1 .

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IG NIT IO N S YSTE M - 4 .0 L W /S O LID S TA TE IG NIT IO N ( S SI)
1 988 J e ep C hero ke e
DISTRIBUTORS & IGNITION SYSTEMS
Jeep Solid State Ignition
4.0L 6-Cylinder
DESCRIPTION
IGNITION SYSTEM GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Solid State Ignition (SSI) system features a solid state
Ignition Control Module (ICM)/ignition coil assembly, Electronic
Control Unit (ECU), distributor and engine speed sensor. Other
components include the battery, ignition switch, starter solenoid,
spark plugs and wires, cap and rotor, resistance wire, by-pass wire
and a knock sensor. A sync pulse signal generator (stator) inputs the
firing order to the ECU.
Fig. 1: 4.0L 6-Cylinder Firing Order
IGNITION CONTROL MODULE (ICM)
The ignition control module is mounted to the ignition coil.
See Fig. 2 . Based on control system inputs, the ECU triggers the
ignition coil via the ignition control module. The ECU is able to
advance or retard ignition timing by controlling the ignition coil
through the ignition control module.
The ICM consists of a solid state ignition circuit, an
integrated ignition circuit and an integrated ignition coil that can
be removed and serviced separately if necessary.

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.

Fig. 23: Location of ECU Mounting Screws
Courtesy of Chrysler Motors.
Installation
1) Connect the ECU wiring harness connector.
2) While holding the ECU in position, attach the 3 ECU
attaching screws. See Fig. 23.
3 Connect the negative battery cable.
DISTRIBUTOR

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.