'88 Cherokee won't start
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Saskatoon, SK
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
'88 Cherokee won't start
I need help folks....
I bought an '88 Cherokee yesterday...it had been sitting since April but started (with a boost) when I went to look at it.
Today I thought I'd take it for a spin but it would not start...I have replaced the battery (the old one would not hold charge)...still nothing...I put on a new Rotor Arm & Distributor Cap...still nothing...I put a new Ignition Coil on....still nothing.
A friend came over for a little while & we figured out that there was no spark at the plugs or coming from the coil. It was at that point that I bought a new coil & fitted it...it still won't go (at this point I haven't been able to check if there is now a spark or not - I can't be in two places at once sadly).
I've been reading as much as I can & saw issues with the neutral safety switch...based on those threads I put the car in Neutral & tried to start it...still nothing...I rowed the shifter back & forth a few times & still nothing.
I bought an '88 Cherokee yesterday...it had been sitting since April but started (with a boost) when I went to look at it.
Today I thought I'd take it for a spin but it would not start...I have replaced the battery (the old one would not hold charge)...still nothing...I put on a new Rotor Arm & Distributor Cap...still nothing...I put a new Ignition Coil on....still nothing.
A friend came over for a little while & we figured out that there was no spark at the plugs or coming from the coil. It was at that point that I bought a new coil & fitted it...it still won't go (at this point I haven't been able to check if there is now a spark or not - I can't be in two places at once sadly).
I've been reading as much as I can & saw issues with the neutral safety switch...based on those threads I put the car in Neutral & tried to start it...still nothing...I rowed the shifter back & forth a few times & still nothing.
#2
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Chico,ca
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes
on
9 Posts
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I would also look at the cps,icm,and ballast resistor,the icm bolted to the bottom of the coil,and the ballast resistor is located on the left fenderwell inside,whit porcelin resistor with a wire to and from.
#3
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
im haveing a issue with my 88 as well, turns and turns but no fire up, going to check for spark tomorow, if i fix mine ill let ya know how lol, it ran yesterday and today does not want to start at all.
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Saskatoon, SK
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Thanks for the help, I know I'm going to sound stupid here but how do I test these parts?
#5
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Saskatoon, SK
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
#6
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Chico,ca
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes
on
9 Posts
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Nothing stupid,as far as the icm goes just see if you have power to it with key on,you can also test resistance on it,the cps is located on the bellhousing and you can also test it for resistance across terminals a and b,it should read open,the resistors rarley go bad,mostly they just come loose on one of the wires and half to be reconected. I would buy a manual like chiltons to help you.
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Saskatoon, SK
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Nothing stupid,as far as the icm goes just see if you have power to it with key on,you can also test resistance on it,the cps is located on the bellhousing and you can also test it for resistance across terminals a and b,it should read open,the resistors rarley go bad,mostly they just come loose on one of the wires and half to be reconected. I would buy a manual like chiltons to help you.
Trending Topics
#8
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Chico,ca
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes
on
9 Posts
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I would not spen alot of money on parts until you have an idea what it is,it can get exspensive quickly. The cps is hard to change due to its location. I always check them on the 20 scale and get about 11 on a good one.
#9
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Saskatoon, SK
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
It Lives!!
Thanks again for your help.
BTW I found this during my search for information - maybe everyone has seen this already but if not maybe it'll prove useful;
http://www.lunghd.com/Tech_Articles/...iagnostics.htm
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Tj Cope
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
21
11-16-2022 08:32 PM
seansr
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
12
11-15-2022 06:08 AM
XJ ONLY
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
8
01-26-2019 06:30 PM
Gtrsrlly
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
5
08-25-2015 11:50 AM
smithj
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
4
08-24-2015 10:24 PM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)