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1989 jeep cranks and cranks then starts sometimes

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Old 11-26-2009, 10:54 AM
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Default 1989 jeep cranks and cranks then starts sometimes

I just bought a 1989 Jeep Cherokee 6 cylinder with known problems. The problem you crank and crank the jeep will sometimes start and run good. Here is where I am at. If I pull a plug wire and have the engine cranked the jeep starts quick when the plug fire reaches the ground. I have checked start relay and it is wired to specs. New plugs, another coil.
Anyone ever have this crank and crank and quick start problem?
Old 11-27-2009, 09:37 AM
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Year: 1991
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Welcome to CF. Now, I have a 91XJ 4.0. It gave me the same trouble that, it sounds like, you have. If you replace the cap and rotor your problem may be fixed. Just so you know the people on this forum are very knowledgeable. You just need to be a bit more specific on what you have and what the problem is. They have helped me out with trouble shooting numerous times.
Old 11-27-2009, 12:38 PM
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Default new cap and rotor did not fix problem

Before I bought the jeep, A new alternator, crank shaft sensor, coil was installed. The jeep is taking to many cranks to start. I installed new plugs, rotor and disturber cap.
The jeep is still cranking to much.
The people before me put in a push button start. I have deleted this and wired back to original diagram where the key switch will work.
One thing they had a wire run from the outside pole on the starter solenoid to push button. I can turn the key on and still start with this wire touching the battery and the jeep starts good. If I wire this wire into the key switch the jeep again cranks and cranks before starting.

This is where I am lost at. Am I missing where the outside pole wire on the starter solenoid goes? Thanks
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Last edited by wayland; 11-27-2009 at 12:57 PM. Reason: I just noticed the dirgam is for a Wrangler, is there a differance from Cherokee?
Old 11-27-2009, 12:42 PM
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possably a bad relay to the fuel pump ?
Old 11-27-2009, 01:00 PM
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Default Moved relays to different positions, no change

When I moved relays to different positions no change.
It looks like I have plenty of fuel pressure but I will run a test to be sure. Thanks
Old 11-27-2009, 01:08 PM
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Something to try is when see if you have spark as soon as you turn it over when the red wire is hooked up to the battery vs when hooked up to the ign,if it there is a delay I would look at starter relay or icm.
Old 11-27-2009, 02:38 PM
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Default Tried the red wire different ways, no good

I did what you suggested and the fire was the same, when cranked the spark was good and quick.

I just ran a fuel pressure check, 30 psi,
Ran a compression check, 115,115,115,100,100,100
compression is a little low but this is a 1989 jeep.

Still have the same problem, You must crank the engine several time before it starts and sometime it will not start.
After I ran the compression test and put all the gas in the cylinders while running the test. The jeep just started up perfect.
Now I am wondering about dirty injectors.
Old 11-27-2009, 03:36 PM
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It is possible the fuel is draing back to the tank,it sounds like you have a fuel pressure tester,did you leave it on the rail to see if pressure stayed at 30?
Old 11-27-2009, 10:57 PM
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Default fuel stayed at 30

I checked first not running, fuel pressure was 30, then I did a running test, stayed at 30 and fluxed a little like 29 to 31 when I ribbed the engine up and down.

I just did a test to see if the injectors were firing when I first try to start. They are firing.

Tomorrow I am going to pull the injectors and do a cracking test to see if the injectors are spraying fuel.
Will let everyone know the results. Thanks
Old 11-28-2009, 08:30 AM
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Default Just letting everone know I found some get info here.

http://jeepgarage.free.fr/OWN/igniti...tem%204.0l.pdf

Down about middle way on the page it gives some great test to run.
Old 11-28-2009, 08:51 AM
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Default Problem found and fixed

When I started to run the test, the first test at distributor found the problem. The connection where you connect the dist. wires to your wiring harness was corroded causing poor connection.
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