I'll start with a little background on my XJ....95, 130Kish miles, was a daily driver for me for several years then I lifted it and got another DD. For a couple years it sat in a barn basement and was only driven once every 3-4 months. Ended up selling it to a good friend and shortly after it stopped starting. He went through it and replaced the CPS, ignition coil, distributor, distributor cap, spark plugs, plug wires, and fuel filter (think that was everything). After all this the jeep ran for a little and then quit again (cranks, won't start). He says that the motor started for him twice after he put it at top dead center.

SOO, now I have the jeep back and can't get it to start. I have triple checked the distributor alignment (put motor at TDC, rotor is just past #1 cylinder). Any advice on what my next move should be? Go back through the work he did and double check it? Or look for a new problem? Turn it into a parts jeep and buy a new one ?

 

Did you test to see if it's getting fuel? And I know you replaced distributor, cap, plugs etc but is it actually getting spark?

 

Fuel pump clicks on like normal when you turn on the ignition. Thinking about buying a pressure gauge to check it, suppose it's a good tool to have in the garage anyways.

I'll have to get someone to crank it over while I check for spark and report back.

 

New non-OEM CPS's are well know for having problems, you might try replacing with a known good one too see if it helps. This had been documented numerous times here if you do a search.

It may not be but worth a try.

 

I believe most autozones have a fuel pressure gauge you can rent to test. Even if yours doesn't, you can buy a small gauge for pretty fair prices, and that way you can test the level of pressure. Also, note that they are not to be used when driving (as in, not permanently installed), just when sitting and testing.

 

1 guy turns key...
1 guy wiggles wires... everywhere...
Make sure that guy doesn't stick his hands/fingers in moving parts...
Also, wear gloves...

Oak tree mechanic 101.

 

Wow, thanks for all the advice! Think I'll start by checking the CPS, knowing my buddy he probably bought the cheapest one he could.


Good call, sometimes it's the simple stuff you forget to do. Good point on the gloves too, I would have probably gone in there and got zapped.

 

I forgot about that. I recently replaced my CPS and while researching some of the aftermarket ones haven't worked right out of the box. I went with an OEM but I think Rockauto has an OEM replacement one that works.

 

You need to see what you are missing, spark or fuel. If I'm not mistaken your 95 still should have 39psi +or- 5psi I'm not 100% sure what year they went from 39psi to 49psi. also make sure that you have a strong blue spark any other color will cause a problem with starting.