Need to know correct timing on 1996 jeep grande cherokee 4wd 6cyl. replaced drive belt awhile back now having problems. while driving it spits/sputters dies out & catches back up.Has back fired with flames out of exhaust.will also cut out/. pcm has been up dated due to recall,replaced ign. coil & fuel filter.

that is because you have Part time 4wd? (what do you have)?
and must not drive on pavement free of ice.
its now winding up the drive train, bad for it too.

drive, to dirt, sand, gavel or grass and shift out of 4wd.
or jack up 1 tire, and same,
one tire must be on slippery surface. at least.

http://www.rubicon-trail.com/4WD101/driveline-bind.html

this happens on all PT 4wd
or using LOCK on AWD. dont.

No, the drive train and shafts are different, this includes the linkage and other components.

Anyone check timing belt /chain may be worn or not installed correctly.

part time four wheel drive means you can physically put it in and out of 4wd to 2wd. full time means you cant control it, its always in 4wd

IT DEPENDS ON HOW YOU DRIVE AND HOW WELL YOU MAINTAIN THE CAR. BUT 12 MPG IN TOWN AND 17 MPG ON OPEN ROAD WOULD BE AVERAGE FUEL ECONOMY, THIS IS A VERY HEAVY TRUCK, OVER 2 TONS.

If the jeep is all wheel drive, it's 4wd all the time with some slippage done through the transfer case.

the crankshaft position sensor controls spark and if faulty would give the symptons you have described you need to get this checked first

it is you crank posioion sensor it is located between the motor and the bell housing on transmission on passange top bell hosing one the sensor get warm it internaly grounds it self

Has timing issues or worped head....

1st let me make sure I understand your Jeeps 4 wheel drive. I believe the quadra trac system is a full time 4 wheel drive, there is no 2 wheel drive setting, only a separate 4 Lo (for very slow speed). If this is correct, the problem is, the quadra trac system you have is supposed to compensate for any variations in wheel speed, whether it's driving in the snow, or cutting the wheels sharply to park on dry pavement. What u describe is typical behavior of a part time 4 wheel drive system. The problem is, your full time 4x4 should be compensating for this, and it's not. So, let me know if the above info about your 4wd is accurate (no part time 4wd setting, no 2wd setting, only full time 4wd and 4Lo setting. If it is, the system is not compensating for changes in the wheel slippage correctly.