I have a 1989 Jeep Cherokee Pioneer with 242k miles on it. In line 6, 5 speed manual, 4 wheel drive. I am having trouble with it starting the first time. When it does start it will idle high for about ten seconds. While going down the road the engine will die, being a standard though it cranks itself. I thought at first that my transmission was going out then it dawned on me what it was. I believe it is a vacuum problem but not sure.

sounds like it is not going all the way into gear in the transfer case ck the adjustment, is this electronic shift , ck for dirty connections ,

You mean it cranks but does not start, right ?
The NoBus on the display means the cluster is not talking to the computer. That could be a wiring problem or a component problem.
Have you checked the engine computer for trouble codes ?

With the Jeep in park, move the left shifter to 4 wheel drive. Proceed to put right shifter into drive, proceed to drive. Only use 4wheel drive when neccessary...ie...snow, mud, use 4 wheel lo in steep incline or when really bogged down.

Hope this helps

I have never heard of an AIS motor on a jeep or any other vehicle for that matter. A PCM is the computer that runs the cars Electronics. Without the PCM the car doesn't run.

Click of the following direct, Free Link. It has several Serpentine Diagrams, including the one for your 1989 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L In-Line 6-Cylinders based upon your Engine Options (AC/No AC, Power Steering/No Power Steering, etc.). The Link Page ALSO has the 2.5L In-Line 4-Cylinder Serpentine Belt Diagrams with their various engine options.

Let me know if this helped, or if you have additional information or questions. Feel Free to contact me at FixYa.com!

http://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_information/year/1989/make/jeep/model/cherokee/1989_jeep_cherokee_drive_belt_routing_diagram.htm

the link for the 4wheel drive pops off the trany, get under the jeep and push it back in,, you may need to get a new clip,, not hard to do

If you have the 4 cylinder---- 1-3-4-2
The V6--- 1-2-3-4-5-6
left bank (driver side)--- 2-4-6
Right bank--- 1-3-5.
The in line 6 cyl.------ 1-5-6-3-2-4

Just pull up on the 4 wheel drive lever .. You can shift on the fly to part time and full time but you gotta stop and in park or neutral you can shift into 4 wheel lo .. I have one myself .. love those jeeps .. you "understand"

I do not have a vacuum diagram for the 89 Cherokee, but my 89 had the same issue several times and all it was is that the block of vacuum lines that go into the front axle on the rear of the axle on the passenger side of the vehicle. I ended up having to put a zip tie around the axle and hose block to hold it on. Have not had the issue again since doing this. Hope that helps.

An ABS system will have wheel sensors installed. Remove one of your wheels and look for a wiring harness that runs to your steering knuckle(the part that you brake rotor and strut is attached to. Also, either you front half shaft or brake rotor will have what looks like gear teeth on them. These are the magnets the sensor reads. If your Jeep has either of these it has an ABS system. Secondly the chassis on the Cherokees should be the same irregardless of trim level (limited vs regular). These trim levels affect the interior trim and power extras only not the mechanical parts.