poorboy_616 said:
Okay, so what part is Renault? which is Bendix? and which is GM?
The Brain says Bendix, some of the sensors are GM, but what is Renault?
AMC history gets sort of goofy in the early 1980's...
In 1984-1986 (XJ) and 1986 (MJ,) they wanted a six-cylinder engine but they hadn't gotten the 4.0L finished yet. So, they licensed the 2.8L 60-degree V6 from GM until they got the 4.0L done. GM sensors are pretty standard all around - AMC used a lot of GM stuff, most ChryCo sensors are based on GM units, and you'll even find some GM stuff on Fords.
While AMC was redesigning the 258ci six to make the 4.0L, they were partnered with Renault - since they were designing the XJ to be a unibody, they needed some heavy computer time for FEM of the structure to make sure it would hold up. American companies hadn't caught on to the unibody idea yet, so they went to Europe. AMC had partnered with Renault (if you recall, up to about 1988 AMC dealers were also Renault dealers.) Renault designed the framework for the control system, and Bendix/King built it - that's how we get RENIX (RENault/bendIX.) I'm looking at a RENIX ECU built in early 1988, it's got "Bendix" cast into the housing, and "Built in France" on the tag. I've got one stripped out in the shop (no housing,) but I don't recall the markings on the board.
Bendix/King is also known for making avionics (instruments and radios,) which explains the longevity of RENIX controllers. I've heard of three that have failed - I have two. I've also got a stack of "known good" controllers, and two complete working setups (one from a scrapped rig, and one from a conversion that was done.)
Anyhow, AMC rolled out their 4.0L inline six in 1987 (along with a slightly redesigned front end - the front clip is a couple inches longer, and the firewall was modified slightly to accommodate the longer engine block) with the RENIX control system. Historical Note - there is no such thing as a "factory carburetted" 4.0L six - they're all MPI.
AMC/Jeep was purchased by ChryCo in early 1988 (late 1987?) (Lee Iacocca,) and some small changes were made - like ditching the Peugeot BA-10/5 for the Aisin AX-15 (a step forward!) in mid-1989. Going from the 21-spline transmission output/transfer case input to the 23-spline (also a step forward.)
For 1991, the 150ci four and 242ci six were saddled with OBD-I compliant control electronics (a step backwards,) although I'll admit the Chrysler stuff is better than Ford's (and not quite as good as GM - I don't like the "one black box" control setup they use. GM doesn't "integrate" as heavily, and component replacement is more possible.)
In 1996, the 150ci four and 242ci six were made OBD-II compliant with the rest of the ChryCo fleet. ChryCo still stuck to the idea of "one black box" - while OBD-II makes somewhat more sense, I still don't like the "one box" idea.
The XJ was Dx'd after the 2001MY, and the 242ci six ended production at the end of the 2007MY (20-year run.) The 150ci four was also used in the Dakota compact pickup, and I don't recall when it ended production. (The AMC Six family included the 199ci, 232ci, 258ci, and 242ci engines - in that order - and enjoyed something like a 45-year production span.)
"RENIX" was the name for the joint venture (technically between Renault and Bendix,) and it's also the name for the era where the control system was used (1987-1990 XJ and MJ. The YJ had the 258ci six with the carburettor, until that was replaced with the 242ci six for the 1991MY.) The RENIX control system is also "pre-OBD" - which is why it doesn't do codes. Frankly, I don't think it needs to, either.
Factoid - IIRC, when the "Ten Best" and "Ten Worst" vehicles of the last century were listed, the XJ was in the top five of the Ten Best. Three of the "Ten Worst" were Renault. Go figure.
Factoid - The RENIX control system was also used (in a modified form) by Volvo under the name "FENIX." No, I don't know why they changed the name.
Class dismissed. There will be a test next week...:laugh3: :twak: