I am in the process of doing a full tune up on my 1992 Cherokee 4.0 and so far I have done the following :

New battery
New battery cables
New platinum tip plugs
New oil filter/oil change
New air filter
New fuel filter
New distributor cap/rotor

And now when I turn the key to start it the oil guage pegs but the engine does nothing- no click, and the lights all stay the same. The post on the starter where the + cable is connected only has the 1 cable on it. Is there supposed to be more then one wire/cable on that terminal?. I checked the ground and there is the - cable and two smaller wires going to the post on the engine block

 

Bill you must have something loose going to the starter. The oil gauge thing is normal.

 

did this prob. occure after the tune up? the shaft to your ignition switch may be bent. my mother barrowed my xj for a parts run and she couldn't get it to start because she wasn't turning the key enough. the gauges would peg like they are supposed but notheing else no sounds no start. it might be worth it to try to turn the key all the way and reach under the dash to acuate the lever.

 

There should also be a smaller wire running to the starter with out it it won't start..

 

The only other small wire is going to a post below the + cable that has a 5/16" nut on it

 

ok ya that would be the other wire....

 

Are you sure the cables are on the battier right? I just ask cause I've done that before, when in a hurry..

 

Where is the lever located under the dash?

 

It is a rod that runs to a box located on top of the steering column. The key activates that rod from inside the column. if that ros is even slightly bent it won't push in far enough to engage the starter. Ros is about 3/16" in diameter Bill.

 

I could be wrong here but having just bought a GC that had no alarm fob after the battery was disconected I read in CF to used the key in the passenger lock a couple times and I did then the GC fired right up.

Good luck

 

I hooked up a remote starter and it started right up. The downside is it for sure has a blown head gasket.

 

That is an easy fix anyway Bill. The head is heavy and I use a cherry picker to lift it or to lower it by myself but not complicated anyway. The remote start thing helps confirm the rod is bent to your ignition switch.

 

well I am glad to see that it started. I am going this weekend to pick up a used steering column for mine I may end up haveing an extra rod on there I would be willing to give it to you if its there you would just have to pay shipping or come and pick it up depending on were you are. let me know if you are interested.

 

Is the rod located inside the steering column?. I talked to a couple shops today and estimates for the headgasket replacement ranged from $563.00 to $1000. Since I bought the Jeep and the guy didn't get it smogged now in California it's the sellers responsibility to pay the repair bill or give a refund. It is good for a buyer but not so good for a seller of a vehicle

 

Bill I can't remember when the column switchover happened but the early Jeep Cherokees used a GM column. (Mine is GM) and those are everywhere if that is what yours has. My 92 had a GM column but my 96 had a Chryco column. So I am unsure which type yours has.