black86xj

i need some help I have a 86 2.8L xj that does not want 2 start, I have fuel on the carb. I have replace the coil, pickup coil, wires plugs, modular, ned and pos bat cables cap and rotor, I dont know what else to do maybe someone can help me out. i dont think i'm getting spark! thx.

volcomstone550

sure the carb is good and adjusted right? bad gas? timing correct? make sure the wiring clip on the coil is snug and not corroded. good luck!

you can always just yank out the 2.8L and swap in a 3.4L v6 like i am in the process of doing.

...sometimes its just gremlins and needs a BFH.

black86xj

i know that the carb is good I just got a weber brand new cause I thought that was the problem, about the timing i'm not sure cause it was working good i went 2 the store came out try to start it crank is sounded like it wanted to start one time and then nothing at all. I was planning on doing the swap that sounds good 4 sure. thank you.

4.3L XJ

Pull the coil wire off the top of the distributor and have someone crank it while you hold it next to the engine with an insulated pair of pliers. Will it arc. If it does, repeat process with spark plug wires.

black86xj

thank you

black86xj

i tested 4 spark and I have spark from the coil and from the wires 2.i notice that the carb is spitting out gas now i dont know what is up with that.

4.3L XJ

Pull the plugs and see if they are wet. if they are, dry them out in an oven and then reinstall them.

On a side note, those 2.8s respond very well to Bosch +4 plugs. Not cheap plugs, but you will pick up an extra 1000 rpms and the horsepower to go with it.

black86xj

i had good plugs i thought. njk's i pull them out and only 3 and 5 where wet the rest where dry. i notice earlier when i was checking 4 spark, well i really dont know but the spark looks weak.

black86xj

I found out that the timing chain jump so i guess its out of timing, now i guess i have to get a timing chain on it, m question is that if the timing is of could that affect the compression?

dougy_fresh

jumped cam timing will almost always affect the compression.

for what you paid for that weber (unless u got a smokin deal), and are going to pay getting it going, you could be 3/4 of the way to a 3.1 or 3.4 swap with fuel injection.....

ask me what i'm doing when my 2.8 lays down?

19kiloxj

where did u find the specs and which 3.4 to use, im in the proc ess of trying to find one to rfeplace my 2.8 in my 86 but i have an ax5 manual tranny and im having problems finding the proper donor car which one is going to be best suited?

cabodog

Good evening.

1985 Cherokee 2.8 motor. 5 speed trans 4WD

I see by looking though these threads this seem to be an issue with many a Cherokee. But it also seen that it is a variety of issues. So here goes,

I just got this rig up and running a couple of weeks ago after buying it not running 2 years ago. New carb fresh oil and it started and ran okay. Still needed some tuning but it ran down the road pretty well. Now for the issue.

I had it running in the garage one day for about 10 minutes. I came back out in it quit. It would not even crank. I check the basics like battery connections battery charge, alt connections etc. Still would crank. 2 days later I came out and ill be darned, it started. After a few small trip to the store close by I went for a ride around the county. I was up on slight hill and it quit. It wouldn't even crank. It had power to the radio and the key buzzer but would not crank. I rolled down the hill to jump start it and nothing at all. No fire even with a bump start.

I started with the basics like battery is okay, Tested the starter and it is OK. I put new battery cables and everything in that department is okay. I checked all of the fuses and they are all OK. Still no crank. Electrical is one thing I know nothing about but shocking the heck out of myself! I have no idea of where to go from here.

Can anyone start to lead me in a direction to get this thing back up and running? If you know about the thread I am referring to feel free to pass me along . I look forward to hearing where to go next>

Thank you

4.3L XJ

Considering it is intermittent, I think the problem involves your starter relay. Specifically, the neutral safety switch on the transmission is not allowing the ground to connect so the relay can work. It is a rectangular box on the fender well behind the battery and is the first thing the battery cable connects to. Also, make sure your battery connections are clean. They make little brushes for that you can get at the parts store for a couple of bucks

cabodog

Thanks for getting back 4.3LXJ,

I have changed the starter relay, battery cables cleaned and sanded grounds. I started with the simple stuff.

It is a five speed manual trans. Is there still a neutral safety switch? I though that was in an auto trans only?

4.3L XJ

There should be a switch on the side of the transmission shift tower. Simple one wire plug on it.