[Guest]

Gentleman (and any member of the opposite sex) start your brains. 1990 Jeep Cherokee limited 4.0 liter straight 6 engine with no modifications. I was driving down the road, and with no advanced notice, I hear a loud pop and the engine dies. Under the hood all looks normal. It took quite some time to get the engine to start which normally starts easily. Upon getting it started again I determine that any use of electrical power causes the engine to die. This includes blinker, flashers, brake (lights), etc. Sooo, after I decided it wasn't going to get me home I called to get my money's worth of the AAA membership for the new year. While waiting I turned the ignition off and turned on the flashers. They worked fine. I can't think of any other facts to help but throw any questions at me that might help and I'll respond ASAP.

Thanks in advance for any response that might help.

 

[2293]

MAY BE: Electrical cross fire in the ignition...a part failed and created a cross fire to a charged cylinder that would explain the pop...you say it restarts but and other electrical use stops the engine, this indicates very weak voltage...
The other reason for the pop could be just raw fuel being pump into the cat/converter after the electrical failure.

 

[1483]

Check all your wire harnesses for frayed spots they are dead until you use them, somewhere one is frayed and when you use something electrical it shorts out thus killing the engine, had this happen with the electric window switch once

 

[Guest]

The problem ended up being a chassis grounding strap that came loose. This caused the ignition control module to melt the housing and ground itself. This was causing the engine to die via electrical short any time an electrical load was placed on the system. Figured it all out on my own...not! Found a great new Jeep shop called Jeepers in Lake Oswego, OR. Run by a really nice guy named Bill Erickson. Thanks for the input gents.