89 Renix wont start
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 1
From: Oceanside So Cal
Year: 88
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 renix
if you have spark at the coil wire going to the cap, and not to the plug wires; check your rotor. I had a cracked rotor many years ago the would take the spark from the coil, and send it through the crack in the rotor to the dist. shaft. effectivly rerouting the spark path.
edit; but i see you have changed that twice. disregard the above.
edit; but i see you have changed that twice. disregard the above.
Last edited by Domaas; Oct 3, 2012 at 09:44 PM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 2
From: Nazareth/Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L 242ci I6
If the spark goes through the coil wire, but not to the plugs, it has to be something with the distributor. It may have a new cap and rotor, but maybe the thing itself crapped out. Or all of your plugs and wires are shot. Do you use dielectric grease on everything? It's a good habit.
CF ADMIN

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 34,088
Likes: 257
From: Lantana, Fl
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.Slow
Im going to go out on a limb here, but inside the cap, there's a "button" in the center. Push on that a couple times to make sure the spring inside isn't bound up and keeping it from making contact with the rotor.
Secondly, take the "tab" in the center of the rotor and bend it up a little to ensure contact with the cap "button"
Secondly, take the "tab" in the center of the rotor and bend it up a little to ensure contact with the cap "button"
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 1
From: Oceanside So Cal
Year: 88
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 renix
i believe at tdc #1, the #1 post should be.020 inch from the trailing edge of the rotor. If its far enough out, maybe its just scattering the spark?
cruiser, if im off please post the correct spec..im shooting off memory and a few cold ones here.
Last edited by Domaas; Oct 4, 2012 at 05:39 PM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 24
From: Nor-Cal Coast
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
Howdy Atom. Well I did read through. You ARE sure the rotor is spinning. Your deal being as goofy as it it is I might actually hold the rotor while someone taps the starter. See that it IS being driven, nothing is slipping. Easy enough. All that plastic and stuff needs to do is "distribute", with out giving the spark a chance to make it to ground.
Is it a sharp snap, blue spark that has little issue jumping 1/2 inch, ... or something else? (white, yellow). If a good spark is coming in the "button" and out a plug wire of course it should spark. Of course if it finds a way to ground in there it isn't going out the plug wire. (you ARE grounding the body of the plug when you check)
Assuming the rotor is going around, and the spark is crisp and blue, I'd blame the cap rotor, or wires, new or not. I'd swap, (again).
I'm suspicious the spark from the coil is weak since all else seems to have been swapped or checked. I might do the ICU/Coil contact cleaning Cruiser suggested, since you are having spark issues. Bummer Btw! (and well posted).
Is it a sharp snap, blue spark that has little issue jumping 1/2 inch, ... or something else? (white, yellow). If a good spark is coming in the "button" and out a plug wire of course it should spark. Of course if it finds a way to ground in there it isn't going out the plug wire. (you ARE grounding the body of the plug when you check)
Assuming the rotor is going around, and the spark is crisp and blue, I'd blame the cap rotor, or wires, new or not. I'd swap, (again).
I'm suspicious the spark from the coil is weak since all else seems to have been swapped or checked. I might do the ICU/Coil contact cleaning Cruiser suggested, since you are having spark issues. Bummer Btw! (and well posted).
Last edited by DFlintstone; Oct 4, 2012 at 12:28 AM.


