1990 Jeep Wrangler Service and Repair Manual
The 1990 Jeep Wrangler was offered with two engines — the 2.5L I4 and the 4.2L I6 — across four trims. This service and repair manual is matched to that exact year, so the specifications and repair sequences line up with your engine and trim.
Engines
- 2.5L I4 — 150 cu in, OHV
- 4.2L I6 — 258 cu in, OHV
Trims
- Base
- Islander
- Laredo
- Sahara
Known issues on the 1990 Wrangler. One recall is on federal record for this model year: an equipment defect in which the cockpit could strike and injure persons outside the vehicle. Owners have filed 105 complaints and Jeep has issued 12 technical service bulletins for the year.
From a routine service interval to a hard-to-trace wiring fault, it keeps you on the OEM procedure and the correct specification for your specific 1990 Wrangler.
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.
A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.
FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.
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.
BESTOP AFTERMARKET REAR SHELL ROOF RACKS,MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 27 AND MAY 20, 2004, DESIGNED FOR USE WITH THE BESTOP HARDTOP MADE FOR THE 1986-1995 AND 1997-2003 JEEP WRANGLER. THE COCKPIT COVER MAY NOT STAY LATCHED TO THE ROOF RACK BECAUSE THE LATCH BRACKET MISPOSITIONS THE ROTARY LATCH TO THE COCKPIT COVER. AS A RESULT, THE COCKPIT COVER MAY NOT STAY LATCHED TO THE ROOF RACK AND COULD SEPARATE FROM THE ROOF RACK. THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REAR SHELL ROOF RACKS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER.
SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE COCKPIT COULD CAUSE INJURY BY STRIKING PERSONS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE OR COULD BECOME A DISTRACTION OR AN OBSTACLE TO OTHER DRIVERS, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
BESTOP WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A REPAIR KIT AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 16, 2004. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BESTOP CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT (800) 845-3567.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE PARKING BRAKE CAN SELF-RELEASE WITHOUT WARNING.
THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY WITH A STRONGER PAWL RETURN SPRING. OWNER NOTIFICATON BEGAN SEPTEMBER 30, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
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 PLASTIC FUEL TANKS. THE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT GASKET CAN CRACK CAUSING FUEL AND FUEL VAPOR LEAKS.
FUEL AND FUEL VAPOR LEAKED FROM THE FUEL TANK CAN RESULT IN FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
REPLACE THE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT GASKET.
ON 1987 THROUGH EARLY 1990 MODELS, BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSES CAN WEAR DUE TO DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE WHEEL OPENING SPLASH SHIELDS. ON THE LATE 1990 THROUGH 1992 MODELS, PERIODIC RUBBING CONTACT OF THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE HOSE CAN OCCUR DUE TO MOVEMENT OF THE SPLASH SHIELD IN CERTAIN VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITIONS.
EITHER CONDITION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF FRONT BRAKE SYSTEMFUNCTIONS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES AND AN INCREASED RISK OFVEHICLE ACCIDENT.
THE 1987 TO 1990 MODEL VEHICLES WILL HAVE BOTH SPLASH SHIELDS REPLACED AND BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSES REPLACED AS NECESSARY. ALL AFFECTED LATE 1990 THROUGH 1992 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES WILL HAVE ADDITIONAL FASTENERS INSTALLED TO FURTHER SECURE THE LEFT SIDE SPLASH SHIELD. ALSO, THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE HOSE WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED AS NECESSARY.
DIPAP Requirements - Addition of Jeep Wrangler (JL/JK) and Jeep Gladiator (JT) Hard Top and Targa Top Panel Replacements - All Dealers (Rev. A)
SUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB
THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A REVISED WIRE SPLICE PROCEDURE AND RELATED PARTS. *TT
CONCERNS WITH ENGINE COOLANT USAGE. *NLM
INFORMATION ON INSTALLATION OF RADIO TRANSMITTING EQUIPMENT. *AK
VARIOUS CAR OWNER'S HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN USING ENGINE COOLANTS MADE WITH PROPYLENE GLYCOL INSTEAD OF ETHYLENE GLYCOL. *YC
DIFFICULT TO CLEAN LIGHT COLORED "CHALKY" RESIDUE FROM PLASTIC BODY COMPONENTS THAT ARE MOLDED IN BLACK. *TW
APPLIES TO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.2L ENGINE AND FEDERAL HIGH ALTITUDE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM. FUEL VAPORS MAY CAUSE DETERIORATION OF THE PCV HARNESS ASSEMBLY. THE PCV HARNESS ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED AND THE ENGINE IDLE SPEEDS MUST BE
Showing the 8 most recent of 12 technical service bulletins on file with NHTSA.
EMERGENCY BRAKE RELEASED ON ITS OWN WITHOUT ANY ACTION ON PART OF DRIVER;WHILE PARKED, ROLLED DOWN HILL;HIT FRONT OF STORE;INJURED PEDESTRIAN;VEHICLE UNOCCUPIED
VEHICLE WAS BEEN DRIVEN AT SPEED 5 MPH, IMPACT 11:00 POSITION, DRIVERS SEAT BROKE CAUSING SEAT BACK FAILURE. TT
HAD AN ACCIDENT, DRIVER'S SIDE RECLINING SEAT BROKE. TT
MY 1990 JEEP WRANGLER WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE RELEASED ON ITS OWN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL DOWN THE DRIVEWAY STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE PARKED AT THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY. DAMAGE WAS CAUSED TO BOTH VEHICLES. I WAS LATER NOTIFIED BY MAIL OF A RECALL ON THE PARKING BRAKE. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE PARKING BRAKE FIXED BY TERMS OF THE RECALL AND DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE AT THE MANUFACTURERS EXPENSE. *JB
WHILE PARKED ON A BOAT RAMP THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE RELEASED ITSELF AND THE WRANGLER WENT INTO THE RIVER. *AK
THE PARKING BRAKE FAILED ON MY DAUGHTER'S 1990 JEEP WRANGLER A FEW YEARS AGO WHEN SHE WAS IN COLLEGE (SDSU, SAN DIEGO, CA). SHE WAS IN CLASS. IT ROLLED ACROSS THE PARKING LOT AND CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF A MAZDA MINI-VAN. SHE INSISTED SHE SET THE PARKING BRAKE. IT NOW LOOKS LIKE SHE PROBABLY DID. CAN WE COLLECT FROM CHRYSLER FOR THE DAMAGE TO THE OTHER VEHICLE?
ONCE PARKED AND WALKED AWAY, SEVERAL MINUTES LATER WAS TOLD VEHICLE ON FIRE. RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 11/16/95 MFG #624/625. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
UPON STARTING VEHICLE, SHORTLY AFTER VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING. CONSUMER LIFTED THE HOOD, AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK
RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE ON TWO OCCASIONS. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REPLACED FRONT ROTORS AND CALIPERS; BUT, PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER . *AK
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING UNDERNEATH.UNKNOWN SOURCE. TT
STARTED UP, LEFT ENGINE RUNNING TO WARMUP, RETURNED 15-20 MINUTES LATER, FOUND ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON FIRE. TT
FIRESTONE FIREHAWK FAILURE-WITNESS ADVISED WHILE ON HIGHWAY BEHIND POLICY HOLDER APPROX ONE TO TWO LENGTHS BEHIND INSURED. WITNESS NOTICED THAT THE LEFT REAR TIRE BOUNICING UP AND DOWN, WITNESS ALSO SAW PIECES OF IRE HITTING HER VEHICLE. INSURED LOST CONTROL. SINGLE CAR LOSS, INJURIES WITH NO MEDICAL COVERAGE. (CLAIM 75-A265-140) *MW
NO SUMMARY( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 75R15 )
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM SINCE 1991. *BF THE BRAKE FAILED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VARIOUS DEALER'S WHO REPLACED MULTIPLE COMPONENTS BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *NM
PARKING BRAKE NOT FIXED YET TOOK TO A MECHANIC AND THEY ADJUSTED AND IT STILL RELEASES ITSELF SOMETIMES. OUT OF THE SIX COMPLAINTS I HAVE LISTED I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE REPAIRS WILL BE COVERED EVEN THOUGH I BOUGHT MY CAR OFF OF AN INDEPENDENT CAR DEALER WITH NO WARRANTY. I BOUGHT THE JEEP "AS IS" AND I HAD READ IN HAYNES AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR MANUAL THAT BECAUSE OF A FEDERALLY MANDATED EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH COVERS EMISSIONS-RELATED COMPONENTS SUCH AS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, CHECK WITH A DE
Showing the 15 most serious of 91 complaints filed with NHTSA.
