TN12valve

Hey guys,
I am having some issues with my 1997 Cherokee Country 4x4. I went through a drive-thru this moring and shut the Jeep off while i was ordering because i try to be a nice guy like that. When i got done ordering i turn the key... No start. No crank even. Which is understandable in my case because i know that my NSS needs to be cleaned.

So i continue to try and start it, while holding up the drive-thru line, but still nothing even after cycling it from Park to Neutral and so on... So i finally get out and push it out of the way and into a parking spot.

This is when i realized that i dont have dash lights or guages, but i do have the "open door beeping". When i turn the key still nothing. So i put it back into Park and rock it back and forth thinking that this might clear up the NSS as it has before, but still nothing. I checked my battery connections and even cleaned/tightened them down. No success.

Here is where it gets weird. I called my buddy to come jump me off because i was figuring that it was a dead battery (which still didnt make sense because it started fine this moring and every other morning). So he came and jumped me off, but when i hooked up the cables the dash lights were still very dim, but it did start. Once it started it didnt want to stay running and i had to keep giving it fuel or it would die. I tried to put it in gear and it died and will not start back. It has never done anything like this before.

Could this be a CPS issue? I am not sure what else to even look at right now, just looking for a couple suggestions as to where i might start to look. Thanks y'all!!!

ZINGGG

So it wouldn't crank at all until your buddy put jumper cables on it... Sounds to me like it may be time for a new battery. But first, get it load tested at any auto parts store to be sure that's your problem. Your NSS wouldn't cause it to die once it starts up. And your other symptoms could be caused by a bad CPS, although that doesn't cause a no crank issue. It would still crank for days, just not catch. So start with the battery

Gee oh Dee

Battery or bad grounds.

TN12valve

Battery looks to be in pretty bad shape... But why would it not want to stay running once it was jumped? I mean as soon as i let off the gas it would die if i let it.

I just did a quick search for a ground diagram on here with no luck. Can you direct me to one?

Gee oh Dee

Main engine ground is the one that the neg side of the battery is connected to. Follow it, you will fknd the main ground. Should be near the oil filter.

Batteries can 'look' good and still be bad.

Newer XJs need a good charge on the battery to stay running I guess. My Renix was fine without a battery.

Gee oh Dee

Wait...is this the Grand in your avatar pic?

TN12valve

No its not the Grand... It is my 97 Country 4.0

Candycane

This happened to my car yesterday... don't know where to start, and husband isn't really handy, especially with cars. Haven't tried to jump it, should I take battery to be tested? It seems as though the engine isn't getting fuel. All gauges except or gas and temp stopped, windows stopped, turn signals and lights. Interior light still worked, temp gauge goes to top when turning the key... Three minutes after gauges went the car sputtered to a stop... Push started for three seconds but dies immediately... Any ideas guys? Just got this back from body shop!!! (((( please help!

Roler

[QUOTE=TN12valve;1803734]Battery looks to be in pretty bad shape... But why would it not want to stay running once it was jumped? I mean as soon as i let off the gas it would die if i let it.[QUOTE]


Yes, a battery can be just good enough to get you started but not enough to keep it running. Have it load tested to see if it needs replacement.
Refreshing the grounds with electrical (intermittent) issues is a general good thing to do, to have that box ticked for future reference.

ZINGGG

This is why i suggested to go get it load tested. Because yes, it can die once it starts. Auto parts stores will do this for free.

Well try to get it jumped first and see what happens.

Then you can use a fuel pressure gauge and test at the fuel rail if you are getting fuel to the engine or not.

Was this not happening before the body shop had it? It seems like there may be a few different things going on here.

TN12valve

This is why i suggested to go get it load tested. Because yes, it can die once it starts. Auto parts stores will do this for free.

I had it towed to the house because i had to go to work. I will take it in and get it tested as soon as i get home today. Ill let y'all know how it turns out. Thanks for the great advice!

TN12valve

Another thing i just thought about... When i got it started back after the jump off, my CEL was off. It has been on for an o2 sensor issue but did not come back on after it was jump started. Could this be of any significant value as to figuring out my issue?

stoutjeep95

I'd get that alternator checked out. Starts on a jump but won't stay running unless you're revving up the motor, thus spinning the alternator faster...making the required power to keep it at idle. It's a pretty easy job, replaced mine and it's a good thing to replace on an off road vehicle anyway.

TN12valve

I plan on taking the battery and alternator up to the parts house to get them both checked when i get off work. I'll keep y'all posted.

winston427

When the battery dies completely or is disconnected it will clear the CEL codes. It typically takes a 50 mile drive cycle after reconnecting the battery for the ECM to relearn any new or pre-existing codes. After you get the issue fixed then go for a drive or just let it run through the drive cycle during your normal daily drive. If the CEL comes back on then have the codes read and go from there.