Hi Jeep Fans, Like most people with XJ's I need a little help from those that's have had or experienced this same problem. I have a 1996 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4.0L that I recently saved from the salvage yard but can't seem to get it started. It does crank but fuel pump does not kick on, no fuel pressure at rail, and not spark of course. The previous owners over the past six months put a lot of money in it trying to get it running since they bought it new and had a lot of sentimental attachment to it. They put a new crank sensor, coil, plugs, wires, cap, rotor, fuel pump, and I think cam sensor. I need to look over all this paperwork again. Most of this was done at Crysler dealership is why if was so expensive as you can guess and I know these days it doesn't mean the parts might not still be bad but just doesn't make sense after everything done that they could never get it running. I've checked all fuses and tested the crank sensor's resistance with a multimeter and the reading was about 430 ohms if I am remembering right. Another thing I noticed is there is no dash indicator lights working with the jeep in accessory mode. Like the check engine light ect. The only one that lights up when cranking is the brake light. I also cleaned all the grounds under the hood. I think that's everything so you all know everything I do now lol. Any help on what to do would be greatly appreciated. I almost forgot I tried to pull codes by key cycling but the check engine light doesn't work and my code reader that has always worked on everything I know with OBD2 will not link up to this 1996 Jeep Cherokee XJ. I know this is a one-year special jeep good and bad that stands alone on most of its electronics but still can't figure out why I can't pull codes at the least.

 

Check all relays (esp ASD and Fuel Pump) and fuses.

Disconnect CPS and retry OBD (cruiser tip).

What protocols is your OBD unit capable of?

 

I checked most relays and there is not a relay in the ASD opening. I will do the crank position sensor suggestion. It’s a Obd2 reader for sure but can’t remember the name at this moment. This is a 2WD but I have 2 others that are 4WD but they are both Grands. I will continue to test the relays though and you are talking about with multimeter right. Thank you for the suggestions and reply of course. I’m sorry I was looking at the ABS slot and there is no relay there. The Auto Shutdown Relay does have a relay and I tried switching it already but didn’t work so do still need to test all the relays as well.

 

Equally important, figure out what protocol your XJ is using. I ***think*** it's ISO 9141-2. From ccKen:




OBD types:

OBD2 protocols by vehicle make and model [Updated list] - OBD Planet

So figure out:

1. Are all the connections in the OBD connector working;

2. What protocol you actually have; and

3. Does your reader support that protocol.

 

And the sockets. IMO sounds the like the ASD and/or FP circuits are askew and issues could be anywhere between them and PCM (or PCM itself).

If bunches of experts have looked at this for months and gotten nowhere (albeit shooting the Parts Cannon) you wonder if there are "mods" esp. rewiring. Get the FSM and check everything in Chapter 8.

See you in 2026.

 

There are some PCM repair and testing services available.
You may want to at one point send your PCM to find out if it is working correctly.

 

Thank you all and I will check all of that on my first day off and let you know when I figure it out if any of that don’t work lol. Thanks again

 

I did and had researched a little bit on the PCM repair and different places. Just didn’t know which one was reliable and or if anyone had ever used any of them and had good luck with them. Any suggestions on a good place for that or to get a rebuilt one, plug-in place so to speak.

 

This is the company that I used. They are listed on EBAY...I had zero issues with them. The explain all the charges upfront, very thorough in testing and explanation of what is wrong and whether they can repair it or not.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/184958707873

Few years back I had a no start issue. No fuel pump, no connection to the OBDII...it ended up being a bad PCM.....

take a look at an old post and the diagnostics that went into it.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/sen...roblem-251669/

hope this helps

 

Thanks so much Bruce I will look at that and sending mine off as soon as the bad weather coming passes thru. It’s not just the company we send them to its the mail service these days and making it there and not getting lost. If that happens it’s finding another pcm of course which I’ve seen them between 400-1200 dollars but guessing they have those too. I guess they are so much because no other years match an 1996? Again thanks so much I really appreciate it.

 

One more quick question, I did look at that site on eBay real quick and looks like they have one for about 145.00. Of course I’m thinking just get it for a backup and in case mine gets lost but all it ask is for year, engine, make and model. I was thinking they would need the vin for it to work with my particular jeep. Have you or know of anyone that had ever gotten one plug and play and work without it being programmed to your exact jeep?

 

that is the cost to repair yours......not for the purchase of one.

 

Okay thanks Bruce I did think that was pretty cheap for another one. Sending mine out today and will post back if that fixes it or once it’s running again.

 

Update on crank no start, no fuel, no spark on 1996 Jeep Cherokee. It ended up being the computer(PCM) after all and its back up and running again. Just wanted to say thanks so much guys and I really appreciate all you help. This a great forum with people ready to help one another and that's really great to see these days. Thanks again
Phillip

 

welcome to the forum....stay active on here for others that may need help...
Glad your back up and running...