hey guy here,

I finally bought my first cherokee and here's my problem. It will turn over but nothing happens, but if you hold the gas petal all the way down, it will try to start but nothing. It's fuel injected so that doesn't made sence. So I pulled the plugs and cleaned,regaped them.Cleaned the cap and rotor. the rotor was clean but the cap had some build up, so I cleaned it up and reinstalled everything. I also pulled the fuel filter and checked it, while I had the filter off, I turn the key to check if the fuel pump was working(it was). The trottle body had so build up, so I cleaned it.

Does this sound like the timing(says auto timing),coil pack,CPS?

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I got my xj running!!!

The catalytic converter was completely clogged and the rubber hose
in the gas tank that connects to the fuel pump was loose, witch allowed
the fuel pressure to drop. Now I can start my build

 

You need three things to make a motor run...Compression, Spark, and Fuel. So you'll need to check all of these to figure out why it won't start. Check the spark first, if you're getting spark, it'll rule out the CPS, coil, distributor, Cam Position Sensor, timing, etc. It should be a nice blue spark. Next see if you can get it started by spraying some starting fluid into the Throttle Body. If it starts you're getting a lack of fuel, which could be do to bad injectors or something along those lines.

 

I trying starting fluid and nothing.

 

Then you either have a lack of compression or lack of spark. Check for spark by pulling the plug wire from the coil off the top of the distributor cap. Ground it out on something metal while a buddy turns the engine over. If you see a blue spark, it's good and has plenty of spark. If it's orange, it's too weak to start the engine. If there is no spark, then you have a real problem. Test to the plug that goes into the coil with a multimeter while the ignition is on. There should be at least 12 volts to it. If there is, you could swap the coil because it is the cheapest and easiest fix. If that does not fix it, it could be the Crankshaft Position Sensor or the Camshaft Position Sensor. I had no spark and just fixed it today, so if you need any help, let me know.

 

thanks, i'll try that

 

If you find you have no spark make sure your coil wire is not burned on ether end. Just something that happened to me 2 times in 4 years . If thats ok continue with what 96cherokee sugested..

 

You might also look at crank position sensor, its on driver side of bell housing, mine went bad last year, wires go bad due to heat of eng and trans. Also I just replace the coil, had it tested at autozone and tested good, but ended up replacing it after I couldnt find anything else wrong and it started right up

 

Well let's not overload his brain just yet. First we have to find out whether or not he's getting spark. And if there's no spark, you'll have to check everything stated in the previous posts. I could guide you along the process if you need help, I just went through all this and finally got my Jeep running today.

 

thanks guys, I can't wait to try those things.But it has been raining.
I'll keep you posted.

Also I was reading another post and saw someone talking about the steering column being loose and there jeep not starting. Mine is loose, could that be a problem for me?

 

I'm pretty sure they are talking about the steering lock. If the steering wheel isn't locked the key won't even turn. And at that point you have to jiggle the wheel back and forth while trying to turn the key. But if your engine turns over, it's not that.

 

Dont wory. If it's raining and you have spark it will find you

 

ok, I pulled the the wire coming from the coil and checked the spark. The spark looks orange to me, it should be blue right?

 

Yea, it should be blue. You could either just try and replace the coil or test everything before you start throwing parts into it. It very well could be the coil, but I'd test the resistance of the CPS (10k-20k setting) with a multimeter first. Here is a picture of the location of the plug.

http://media.photobucket.com/image/j...or_diagram.jpg

And here is the connector.
http://fototime.com/78EA763821BA137/standard.jpg

You need to test the resistance between prongs B and C. It should have no resistance (0 ohms). If it has any resistance, it needs to be replaced. If that tests out fine, it is most likely the coil, but could also be the Camshaft Positioning Sensor (not to be confused with Crankshaft PS). I'm not quite sure how to test it, but I'm sure you can find it on google. The Camshaft Positioning Sensor is also known as a pick-up coil or stator.

 

my CSP plug does not look like the one in the picture.
mine is round with the contact in a triangle, not a straight line(the wire that goes to the bell housing).
I went ahead and bought a coil and plugs. The store checked the resistance and the old one and new one are the same, but they said try it and bring it back if thats not the problem. So I'll try tomorrow

 

new coil, new sparks plugs and NOTHING.
what's next????