Jeep Cherokee (XJ): Jump starting, towing and hoisting

Jump starting procedure

WARNING: REVIEW ALL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND WARNINGS IN GROUP 8A, BATTERY/STARTING/ CHARGING SYSTEMS DIAGNOSTICS. DO NOT JUMP START A FROZEN BATTERY, PERSONAL INJURY CAN RESULT. DO NOT JUMP START WHEN MAINTENANCE FREE BATTERY INDICATOR DOT IS YELLOW OR BRIGHT COLOR. DO NOT JUMP START A VEHICLE WHEN THE BATTERY FLUID IS BELOW THE TOP OF LEAD PLATES. DO NOT ALLOW JUMPER CABLE CLAMPS TO TOUCH EACH OTHER WHEN CONNECTED TO A BOOSTER SOURCE. DO NOT USE OPEN FLAME NEAR BATTERY.

REMOVE METALLIC JEWELRY WORN ON HANDS OR WRISTS TO AVOID INJURY BY ACCIDENTAL ARCING OF BATTERY CURRENT. WHEN USING A HIGH OUTPUT BOOSTING DEVICE, DO NOT ALLOW BATTERY VOLTAGE TO EXCEED 16 VOLTS. REFER TO INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED WITH DEVICE BEING USED.

CAUTION: When using another vehicle as a booster, do not allow vehicles to touch. Electrical systems can be damaged on either vehicle.

TO JUMP START A DISABLED VEHICLE:

(1) Raise hood on disabled vehicle and visually inspect engine compartment for:

•  Battery cable clamp condition, clean if necessary.
•  Frozen battery.
•  Yellow or bright color test indicator, if equipped.
•  Low battery fluid level.
•  Generator drive belt condition and tension.
•  Fuel fumes or leakage, correct if necessary.

CAUTION: If the cause of starting problem on disabled vehicle is severe, damage to booster vehicle charging system can result.

(2) When using another vehicle as a booster source, turn off all accessories, place gear selector in park or neutral, set park brake and operate engine at 1200 rpm.

(3) On disabled vehicle, place gear selector in park or neutral and set park brake. Turn off all accessories.

(4) Connect jumper cables to booster battery. RED clamp to positive terminal (+). BLACK clamp to negative terminal (-). DO NOT allow clamps at opposite end of cables to touch, electrical arc will result.

Review all warnings in this procedure.

(5) On disabled vehicle, connect RED jumper cable clamp to positive (+) terminal. Connect BLACK jumper cable clamp to engine ground as close to the ground cable attaching point as possible (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1 Jumper Cable Connections-Typical

1 - POSITIVE CABLE CONNECTION
2 - BOOSTER BATTERY
3 - NEGATIVE OR GROUND CABLE CONNECTION

CAUTION: Do not crank starter motor on disabled vehicle for more than 15 seconds, starter will overheat and could fail.

(6) Allow battery in disabled vehicle to charge to at least 12.4 volts (75% charge) before attempting to start engine. If engine does not start within 15 seconds, stop cranking engine and allow starter to cool (15 min.), before cranking again.

DISCONNECT CABLE CLAMPS AS FOLLOWS:

•  Disconnect BLACK cable clamp from engine ground on disabled vehicle.
•  When using a Booster vehicle, disconnect BLACK cable clamp from battery negative terminal. Disconnect RED cable clamp from battery positive terminal.
•  Disconnect RED cable clamp from battery positive terminal on disabled vehicle.

Two-wheel-drive vehicle towing

TOWING-REAR END LIFTED (SLING-TYPE) WARNING: WHEN TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE AND THE DRIVE WHEELS ARE SECURED IN A WHEEL LIFT OR TOW DOLLIES, ENSURE THE TRANSMISSION IS IN THE PARK POSITION (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) OR A FORWARD DRIVE GEAR (MANUAL TRANSMISSION).

CAUTION: Do not use steering column lock to secure steering wheel during towing operation.

2WD XJ vehicles can be towed with the front wheels on the surface for extended distances at speeds not exceeding 48 km/h (30 mph). If the vehicle is equipped with a factory installed trailer tow package, use a SAE approved wheel lift device.

1.  Attach J-hooks around the axle shaft tube outboard of the shock absorber.
2.  Place the sling crossbar under and forward of the bumper.
3.  Attach safety chains around the frame rails.
4.  Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position to unlock the steering wheel.
5.  Secure steering wheel in the straight ahead position with a clamp device designed for towing.
6.  Verify that steering components are in good condition.
7.  Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL.

TOWING-REAR END LIFTED (WHEEL LIFT)

1.  Raise front of vehicle off ground and install tow dollies under front wheels.
2.  Attach wheel lift to rear wheels.
3.  Place transmission in neutral.
4.  Raise vehicle to towing height.
5.  Place transmission in park (automatic transmission) or fist gear (manual transmission).

TOWING-FRONT END LIFTED

To prevent damage to front fascia components, use only a Wheel-Lift type towing device or Flat-Bed hauling equipment.

If using the wheel-lift towing method:

1.  Raise rear of vehicle off ground and install tow dollies under rear wheels.
2.  Attach wheel lift to front wheels.
3.  Place transmission in neutral.
4.  Raise vehicle to towing height.
5.  Place transmission in park (automatic transmission) or fist gear (manual transmission).

Four-wheel-drive vehicle towing

DaimlerChrysler Corporation recommends that a 4WD vehicle be transported on a flat bed device. A wheel lift or sling type device can be used provided all wheels are lifted off the ground using tow dollies.

If the vehicle is equipped with a factory installed trailer tow package, use a SAE approved wheel lift device.

WARNING: WHEN TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE AND THE DRIVE WHEELS ARE SECURED IN A WHEEL LIFT OR TOW DOLLIES, ENSURE THE TRANSMISSION IS IN THE PARK POSITION (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) OR A FORWARD DRIVE GEAR (MANUAL TRANSMISSION).

TOWING-REAR END LIFTED (SLING TYPE)

1.  Raise front of vehicle off ground and install tow dollies under front wheels.
2.  Attach J-hooks around rear axle shaft tube outboard of shock absorber.
3.  Place sling crossbar under and forward of bumper.
4.  Attach safety chains around frame rails.
5.  Turn ignition switch to OFF position to unlock steering wheel.
6.  Secure steering wheel in the straight ahead position with a clamp device designed for towing.
7.  Shift transfer case to neutral.

TOWING-REAR END LIFTED (WHEEL LIFT)

1.  Raise front of vehicle off ground and install tow dollies under front wheels.
2.  Attach wheel lift to rear wheels.
3.  Place transmission in neutral.
4.  Raise vehicle to towing height.
5.  Place transmission in park (automatic transmission) or first gear (manual transmission).

TOWING-FRONT END LIFTED

To prevent damage to front fascia components, use only a Wheel-Lift type towing device or Flat-Bed hauling equipment.

1.  Raise the rear of the vehicle off the ground and install tow dollies under rear wheels.
2.  Attach wheel lift to front wheels.
3.  Place transmission in neutral.
4.  Raise vehicle to towing height.
5.  Place transmission in park (automatic transmission) or first gear (manual transmission).

Emergency tow hooks

WARNING: REMAIN AT A SAFE DISTANCE FROM A VEHICLE THAT IS BEING TOWED VIA ITS TOW HOOKS. THE TOW STRAPS/CHAINS COULD BREAK AND CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY.

Some Jeep vehicles are equipped with front and rear emergency tow hooks. The tow hooks should be used for EMERGENCY purposes only.

CAUTION: DO NOT use emergency tow hooks for tow truck hook-up or highway towing.

HOISTING RECOMMENDATIONS

Refer to the Owner's Manual for emergency vehicle lifting procedures.

FLOOR JACK

When properly positioned, a floor jack can be used to lift a Jeep vehicle (Fig. 2) and (Fig. 3). Support the vehicle in the raised position with jack stands at the front and rear ends of the frame rails.

Fig. 2 Vehicle Lifting Locations

Fig. 3 Correct Vehicle Lifting Locations

1 - SUB-FRAME RAIL LOCATION
2 - SUB-FRAME RAIL LOCATION

CAUTION: Do not attempt to lift a Jeep vehicle with a floor jack positioned under:

•  An axle tube.
•  A body side sill.
•  A steering linkage component.
•  A drive shaft.
•  The engine or transmission oil pan.
•  The fuel tank.
•  A front suspension arm.

NOTE: Use the correct sub-frame rail or frame rail lifting locations only.

HOIST

A vehicle can be lifted with:

•  A single-post, frame-contact hoist.
•  A twin-post, chassis hoist.
•  A ramp-type, drive-on hoist.

NOTE: When a frame-contact type hoist is used, verify that the lifting pads are positioned properly.

WARNING: THE HOISTING AND JACK LIFTING POINTS PROVIDED ARE FOR A COMPLETE VEHICLE.

WHEN A CHASSIS OR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENT IS REMOVED FROM A VEHICLE, THE CENTER OF GRAVITY IS ALTERED MAKING SOME HOISTING CONDITIONS UNSTABLE. PROPERLY SUPPORT OR SECURE VEHICLE TO HOISTING DEVICE WHEN THESE CONDITIONS EXIST.