1995 to 1999 Jeep XJ Sport swap... all bark, no roar
11-05-2018, 10:09 AM
#1
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
1995 to 1999 Jeep XJ Sport swap... all bark, no roar
Here's one for you guys, i have a 1999 Jeep Cherokee Sport that I got for free from the neighbor. I pulled the head and found that the cylinders had been sitting for 2 years with water in them due to a cracked head, absolute joy to my heart when I knew I had to do an engine swap... living in the land of jeeps and the blessed moab where the 4.0l goes cheaper than a used car I bought a 4.0l out of a 95. now to be clear this is after much research and deliberation. I did the swap. I moved all the sensors, and the flex plate out of the 1999 engine onto the 95 motor. after all that, bolting it up and hooking all the wires and grounds to the engine, I tried to start it, it was all crank no turn. I pulled the spark plug, no spark, the ignition coil is getting no power either so the distributor isn't bad. is there any ideas? or suggestions? this is my first swap and i figured what it would be a fun vehicle to go with my 1984 Toyota pickup to go off-roading with. (here is the website that i got the swap info from https://www.nc4x4.com/forum/threads/...r-jeep.176054/ )
in short
1995 Jeep 4.0L
all sensers removed
distributor NOT removed
all 1999 parts/sensors placed on including flex plate
cranks but no spark
I'll be back on in a couple of hours, about 12:30 Utah time. to answer any other questions that arise, yes i can send pictures if needed.
in short
1995 Jeep 4.0L
all sensers removed
distributor NOT removed
all 1999 parts/sensors placed on including flex plate
cranks but no spark
I'll be back on in a couple of hours, about 12:30 Utah time. to answer any other questions that arise, yes i can send pictures if needed.
11-05-2018, 06:24 PM
#3
Old fart with a wrench
Did you install the crank sensor AFTER you bolted the bellhousing on? The CPS can very easily get damaged if you don't remove it first before you break the trans bolts loose. It mounts just 1/16" from the flexplate.
11-05-2018, 06:42 PM
#4
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I will check that sensor, I was looking at other forums with similar no turn problems, I’m going to check it with a multimeter and see if it works first before I run out and get one. My mechanic, oddly enough, has never seen this swap before so he hasn’t a clue what to do without turning on the clock and charging me by the hour to replace it.
11-05-2018, 10:00 PM
#5
Old fart with a wrench
Wait. Is your 99 a new coil rail type or a distributor? My 2000 has the coil rail and digital cam sensor, but still has the early block. You can't run a distributor ignition on my engine without changing the whole computer system and everything. My clue was you said the head was cracked and that led me to think it was the 0331.
Okay, I just checked Rockauto for ignition parts and you do have a distributor. 2000 was the changeover year and sometimes leftover 99's are marketed as 2000's. My XJ was built in March of 2000 and I have the coil rail.
Okay, I just checked Rockauto for ignition parts and you do have a distributor. 2000 was the changeover year and sometimes leftover 99's are marketed as 2000's. My XJ was built in March of 2000 and I have the coil rail.
Last edited by dave1123; 11-06-2018 at 04:15 AM.
11-07-2018, 09:46 PM
#7
Old fart with a wrench
True! Mopar is the best. You pay a little more, but it's well worth the price.
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11-09-2018, 04:36 PM
#8
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Alright wasn’t the crank sensor and the spark plugs still aren’t getting power, any idea how to test an ignition coil? I mean everything on this car has been sitting for 2 years.
After replacing the cps the check gauges light went away so I think it was dead.
After replacing the cps the check gauges light went away so I think it was dead.
Last edited by FaytheMoabKID; 11-09-2018 at 05:05 PM.
11-13-2018, 10:50 AM
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
i checked the ignition coil, the wire up to it is shorting out at the plug so im going to splice in a new one and i think it should start up so after that im out of ideas other than comb it over with a multi meter.
01-01-2019, 10:10 PM
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01-02-2019, 12:03 PM
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Other than that it runs, I’m having bad gas problems now because it was sitting for 2 years but I’m good. Oh, and make sure everything’s plugged in all the way.
Have fun with it is the biggest thing I can emphasize, these are fun jeeps. Even though it’s goving me a hard time I still am having fun figuring out all the mechanics of it. I won’t pretend to be an expert but that’s all the advice I have for you.
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