1990 Jeep Cherokee Service and Repair Manual
The 1990 Jeep Cherokee service and repair manual is matched to this exact model year, so the specifications line up with your engine and trim. It applies to both factory engines — the 2.5L I4 and the 4.0L I6 — across all five trims.
Engines
- 2.5L I4 — 150 cu in, OHV
- 4.0L I6 — 242 cu in, OHV
Trims
- Base
- Laredo
- Limited
- Pioneer
- Sport
Known issues on the 1990 Cherokee. Two recalls are on federal record for this model year, both involving exterior lighting: a headlight fault and a separate exterior-lighting fault, each of which can decrease lighting visibility and result in a vehicle crash. Owners have filed 368 complaints and Jeep has issued 17 technical service bulletins for the year.
From a routine service interval to a stubborn no-start or a hard-to-trace lighting fault, it keeps you on the OEM procedure and the correct specification for your specific 1990 Cherokee.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
THERE MAY BE HYDRAULIC FLUID CONTAMINATION FROM CONDENSATION FORMATION THAT CAN PLUG THE ABS BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP FILTER; STRESS CORROSION OF THE MASTER CYLINDER SNAP RING HAS BEEN TRACED TO CHLORINE LEAKING FROM THE LOW PRESSURE HYDRAULIC HOSE WHICH MAY CAUSE IT TO BREAK; FRONT BRAKE HOSE TO TIRE INTERFERENCE WHICH MAY CAUSE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE HOSE.
CONTAMINATION OF THE HYDRAULIC FLUID CAN CAUSEMALFUNCTIONING OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM; LOW PRESSURE HOSE LEAKAGE CAUSESLOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND ALSO RESULTS IN CORROSION AND FAILURE OF THE MASTERCYLINDER SNAP RING, RESULTING COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE; FAILURE OF THE FRONT BRAKEHOSE DUE TO HOSE TO TIRE INTERFERENCE WILL CAUSE FAILURE OF ONE HALF OF THEBRAKE SYSTEM RESULTING IN A LONGER STOPPING DISTANCE THAN EXPECTED.
REPLACE ABS LOW PRESSURE HOSE; REBUILD MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER; INSPECT, SERVICE INTERFERENCE PROBLEMS, AND REPLACE FRONT BRAKE HOSE AS NECESSARY.
IMPROPER INSERTION/CRIMPING OF THE HOSE-TO-END FITTINGS OF THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE ON THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM CAN CAUSE DETACHMENT OF THE HOSE FROM THE ABS SYSTEM, AND DISCHARGE OF HYDRAULIC FLUID.
DETACHMENT OF THE HOSE FROM THE ABS SYSTEM CAUSES THELOSS OF THE ABS FUNCTION AND HYDRAULIC BRAKE ASSIST, LEAVING ONLY MANUAL BRAKESAND DECREASING STOPPING ABILITY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. DISCHARGE OFHYDRAULIC FLUID IN THE AREA OF THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINECOMPARTMENT FIRE.
REPLACE THE ABS HIGH PRESSURE HOSE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS). THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON SEAL WEAR WHICH COULD CAUSE PUMP-MOTOR DETERIORATION.
IF THIS OCCURS, THE ABS FUNCTION WOULD BE LOSE AND REDUCED POWER ASSIST WOULD BE EXPERIENCED DURING VEHICLE BRAKING. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS WILL SIGNAL SYSTEM IMPAIRMENT AND THE BASE MANUAL BRAKES WILL REMAIN FUNCTIONAL.
DEALERS WILL TEST THE VEHICLE'S ABS AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. THE WARRANTY ON ALL ABS COMPONENTS WILL BE EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES (EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON ASSEMBLY AND THE PUMP-MOTOR ASSEMBLY WHICH WILL HAVE A LIFETIME COVERAGE). OWNERS WILL BE REIMBURSED FOR PREVIOUS ABS COMPONENT REPAIR COSTS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, OR WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS CAN EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED FOR AN EXTENSIVE PERIOD IN THE "SALT BELT." IF THE ROTORS ARE NOT REPLACED, THE CORROSION CAN EVENTUALLY COMPROMISE THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER HUB SECTION OF THE ROTOR.
THE REDUCED STRENGTH CAN ALLOW THE CAST IRON WEAR SURFACE TO SEPARATE FROM THE HUB, REDUCING THE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VEHICLE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE ROTORS WITH ROTORS THAT ARE COATED WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. DRIVERS CAN MISTAKENLY STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHEN THEY INTEND TO STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL.
PEDAL MISAPPLICATION BY A DRIVER CAN CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIFT INTERLOCK ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OF THESE VEHICLES.
MALFUNCTION OF FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM THROTTLE POSTITION SENSOR COULD CAUSE INTERMITTENT HIGH ENGINE IDLE SPEED IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING ENGINE.
HIGH ENGINE IDLE WHEN CAR IS FIRST PLACED IN GEAR COULDRESULT IN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION.
REPLACE THROTTLE POSITION SENSORS WITH SENSORS THAT WOULD SEND CORRECT SIGNALS TO THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM.
Child Seat Tether Anchor Installation This bulletin describes procedures to install Child Seat Tether Anchors based on Customer Request. Retrofits are subject to part availability. Vehicles in the following list that are marked **** for the
SUBJECT REGARDING FLOOR PAN CORROSION. *SLC
SUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB
SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT
SUBJECT ON THE CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *MJS
SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT
THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A REVISED WIRE SPLICE PROCEDURE AND RELATED PARTS. *TT
CONCERNS WITH ENGINE COOLANT USAGE. *NLM
Showing the 8 most recent of 18 technical service bulletins on file with NHTSA.
ACCELERATOR STUCK 3 TIMES, ONCE RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT/INJURY.
S10 DIRECT REPLY- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM CONSTITUENT RE A COPY OF A LETTER TO THE VICE PRESIDENT REGARDING A CAR ACCIDENT IN ARCADIA, FL IN MARCH 2013. *SMD A 1990 JEEP CHEROKEE WAS IN A DRAINAGE DITCH, ACROSS FROM TWO OTHER VEHICLES, THAT WERE PARKED. THE OWNERS DAUGHTER GOT BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THE JEEP,STARTED IT AND PLACED IT IN DRIVE, WITH THE INTENTION OF REMOVING IT FROM THE DITCH, AS SHE FLOORED THE GAS PEDAL, THE JEEP FLEW OUT OF THE DITCH GOING AIRBORNE, AND KNOCKED DOWN THE OWN
UPON STARTING VEHICLE, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BACKWARDS, CAUSING ACCIDENT/INJURY. *AW
OWNER ATTEMPTED TO MOVE GEAR SHIFT LEVER INTO DRIVE, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED IN REVERSE AND WOULD NOT STOP. VEHICLE TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 35 FEET BACKWARDS, STICKING AND KILLING OWNERS WIFE IN THE DRIVE WAY. VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP ALTHOUGH BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED.
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PUT VEHICLE INTO DRIVE, IT ACCELERATED AND TOOK OFF IN REVERSE, AND RAN OVER OWNER'S WIFE. THIS OCCURRED IN JULY 1997.*AK ATTEMPTING TO BACK UP, VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY AND STRUCK A BARBEQUE GRILL, A SET OF STEPS, THEN HIS WIFE, WHERE SHE WAS CRUSHED AND THEN DRUG APPROXIMATELY 30 FEET, AT THE SCENE A POLICE OFFICER POINTED OUT THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE MAT WAS CAUGHT UNDER THE PEDALS, POSSIBLE THROTTLE FAILURE AND IN THE EVENT CONSUMER TRYING TO HIT THE BRAKES CAUSING THE M
LEFT FRONT LUG NUTS AND BOLTS FAILED, CAUSING TIRE TO FALL OFF, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK
SUDDEN ACCELERATION, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL/ROLLOVER. *AK
HIGH IDLE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SURGE FORWARD, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL/ ACCIDENT. *AK
BRAKES FAILED DUE TO VACUUM PUMP FAILURE. CHECKED RECALLS AND SAFETY RECALL #318T WAS ISSUED JULY 1991. CHRYSLER STATES THERE ARE NO PARTS AND THEREFORE WILL NOT EFFECT RECALL. *TR
WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THE BACK. CONTACTED DEALER TO GET THE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP, AND THE VEHICLE HAS'NT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK
THE VECHILE BEGAN EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT BRAKE FAILURE AT TRAVEL SPEEDS FROM 0-45MPH. DURING FAILURE, THE BRAKES WHEN APPLIED BEGIN TO SLOW THE VECHILE AND THEN PEDAL POWER IS LOST AND BRAKING ABILITY IS LOST. WHEN THE PEDAL IS RELEASED AND QUICKLY REDRPRESSED THE BRAKE POWER IS RESTORED.CHRYSLER MOTOR CORPORATION HAS BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURES. THE LOCAL DEALER PERFORMERMED A PROM TEST BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE NATURE OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER THEN SUGGESTED THAT THE MASTER C
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45MPH PRESSED DOWN ON THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL DID NOT GO DOWN . PRESSED THE PEDAL DOWN TO THE FLOOR, AND THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL . HE HAD TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. MANUFACTURER REPAIRED THE BRAKES UNDER A RECALL THREE WEEKS PRIOR TO ACCIDENT. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED. *AK
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE AND TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THEY CAN NOT FIX VEHICLE UNLESS THEY FIX OTHER PART OF THE BRAKE PROBLEM. THEREFORE, THE DEALER WOULD REQUEST OWNER TO PAY FOR THE WORK BEFORE THEY FIX THE RECALL NOTICE. DEALER STATE DTHAT THE ONLY WAY TO FIX RECALL IS TO FIX OTHER CODES OF THE BRAKE FIRST. OWNER STATED THAT DEALER SHOULD CORRECT PROBLEM AS RECALL STATED. *AK
ABS BRAKE FAILURE, WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE ABS KICKED IN AND HAD COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES. PEDAL BECAME VERY HARD, IMPACT 12:00 POSITION, SPEED 30MPH. *AK
IN TRAFFIC THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, THERE WAS NO SLOWING DOWN WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
Showing the 15 most serious of 364 complaints filed with NHTSA.
