« Reply #6 on: February 27, 2009, 08:26:28 AM »
I had a similar problem. It turned out to be the wiring harness connector to the coil. Try shaking wires while the engine is idling: if it sputters, you may have a bad connection somewhere. Check the grounds (firewall and engine block) - make sure the connections are clean. Swap out the horn relay for the ASD relay. Make sure the multi-pin connector to the ECU is OK (pins clean and not bent, properly torqued - see FSM). You can test the crank position sensor as well - make sure the CPS wires are not touching the exhaust.
Normally, when the ECU goes bad, starting is affected The capacitors break down. Your problem does not sound like a typical ECU failure, but it is possible. I feel your pain - don't give up. I have more info if these things don't locate the problem. You can run some tests on the ECU connector using a meter to help locate the point of failure.
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95 YJ, 31 BFG ATs, 4.0 TB & spacer, Banks header, DynoMax CAT back, 19# inj, AEM CAI, 20 gal mod, Optima yellow
98 TJ, 35 BFG Krawlers, 4.0 liter, ax15, atlas 5:1, armor, Super 88 (under construction)
96 XJ Cheep Cherokee, 33s, 4.0 liter, AW4, future project
89 Waggy, 360 V8 727 dana 44s, it runs