jeepin71

I have a 96 cherokee that when I came out of the gas station this morning died and when I tried to start it it hardly ran when I would floor it it would just die out. I just kept starting it untill bam it started right up and ran perfect. Did nothing to it just started it. After it was running I drove down to the fire station and parked it for the day, after sitting about 8 hours I jumped in it and cranked and cranked and got nothing. I tried a shot of starting fluid and it didn't even try to start. I'm getting spark from my coil and getting spark at number one. By the way it was -3 today. Does anybody have any ideas? And help would be nice, thanks

ivantheigor

Is the check engine light on?

freegdr

possible cam sync sensor you need to check codes

jeepin71

Check engine light was on about a month ago but went off. How do u get codes?

tjwalker

Key-on, key-off technique should work to pull stored codes on your 96. Here is a link.
Post the exact code here for comment.

http://www.go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoECUcodes.htm

DannyH

Awesome.

jeepin71

Thanks a bunch for the link that helped out a lot. code was idle air sensor the guy at napa seem to think it would still start with the sensor being bad but I'm going to try a new one tom. And hope it works. .

xjandrew

It will still start and drive fine with the iac being bad. It will just idle like **** and lower your mpgs

XJLuke

If there is no check engine light you wont get a code. I had the same problem and it was the Cam Position sensor.

jeepin71

It runs 3 codes one being something with the battery being unhooked with the last 50 starts one saying I got a bad o2 sensor I knw that's bad because my cat is junk and the last is my idle air sensor. . Check engine light is not on untill I run it for codes. . . Check timming today and that was good pulled spark plugs to make sure they aren't fouled and they are as dry as a bone. I don't knw what eles to check

XJLuke

Actually I'll retract that previous statement. The problem I had was with the Crank Position Sensor, however it could be the Cam Sensor as well. I believe the Cam sensor is much cheaper to replace, that is the one on the side of the motor next to your distributor. The Crank sensor is up under the transmission tunnel on tom the trans by the fly on the driver side. The Crank is a ***** to replace, you will need at least one 3/8" universal socket joint and a bunch of extensions. On mine I found out that either the factory or the previous owner had stripped one bolt on it and it was super hard to remove. The CAM sensor is easier but you will also need to be careful. #1 If the two 7/32" bolts on it look rusted at all be VERY!! VERY careful, they strip easily and then you're F'ed. I had to use a 1/4" 7/32s DEEP socket to get in there close. I also had to grind the head of the socket flat to get a good sharp purchase on the head of the bolt. The up side is this part is more cheaper, I think and if you're careful not to scratch it when you put it in U can return it. Meaning replace it see if the engine starts and if not then it could be the CRANK sensor. Another thing if I remember correctly is that you have to be careful when you remove the CAM sensor, not to move the CAM gear inside the engine. This is not to say there arent a number of other things that could be to fault though the CAM AND CRANK are common issues. Could also be the, timing chain, the idle air valve often gets clogged with carbon or the sensor.

XJLuke

There is a test some one told me once that you could do for that sensor any one else heard this? Its something like while running you pull the connection from the valve or the sensor and the engine is supposed to throttle up and die in a few seconds, if it dosent then U know the sensor is bad?

Also, as per my previous post/article LOL, you're jeep wont run at all if the CRANK sensor is bad.

KD3NE

You can get codes even if the Check Engine light is out.

Not all fault codes will trip the CEL on the first time. Some codes have to have 5 consecutive run cycle fails to trip on the CEL.

One example is the P0300. 0302, 0302, 0303, 0304, 0305, and 0306 codes.
P0300 Random Multiple Misfire
P0302 - 0306 Misfire in cylinder 1 - 6

As the computer runs it goes through cycles, if the misfire code occurs X times consecutively the CEL comes on. Say the X number is 5, if it misfires 4 times then does not misfire there will be no CEL.

In your Code Reader look for a Menu Selection of .... PENDING CODES

There is where you will find codes before the CEL light is on.

Before I even consider buying any used '96 and up vehicle, I put my reader on it and look for Pending Codes, and there is even a way to pull up Old Codes ( where the CEL light came on then went off by itself ) on newer vehicle.

OBDI - 95 and older you won't be able to do this.
OBDII - 96 and newer you should be able to get codes

jeepin71

Alright got a new problem there iis no power going to the fuel pump and there is no pressure at the fuel rail but there is power at relay and jumped it as well and still no power at pump. Any ideas? Thanks for the help guys

jeepin71

Also getting a shut down relay code???????