Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

96 XJ won't start when warm

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-02-2012, 03:17 PM
  #1  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Murphys96XJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default 96 XJ won't start when warm

Hey guys I'm new to the forum and having an issue with my Cherokee. It's a 96 4.0L HO. It won't start when it gets warm. I've been poking around and searching for a while and haven't found anything really concrete so any help would be great. There are no engine codes or lights on the dash. When it gets too warm it will turn over just fine but won't fire. Coil is working and it has fuel pressure, and it will occasionally cough like its trying to start but then go back to cranking. Any ideas?
Old 06-02-2012, 03:22 PM
  #2  
CF Veteran
 
jeepsurfer1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: va
Posts: 2,516
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: i-6 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by Murphys96XJ
Hey guys I'm new to the forum and having an issue with my Cherokee. It's a 96 4.0L HO. It won't start when it gets warm. I've been poking around and searching for a while and haven't found anything really concrete so any help would be great. There are no engine codes or lights on the dash. When it gets too warm it will turn over just fine but won't fire. Coil is working and it has fuel pressure, and it will occasionally cough like its trying to start but then go back to cranking. Any ideas?
Your sure your geting spark and gas and air?
Old 06-02-2012, 04:24 PM
  #3  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Murphys96XJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

New plugs, wires, cap and rotor. Coil is firing just fine and ohm tested just fine. It's got fuel pressure at the rail. I've been told to check and see if ether will start it so ill be.doing that later.
Old 06-03-2012, 12:34 AM
  #4  
CF Veteran
 
jeepsurfer1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: va
Posts: 2,516
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: i-6 4.0
Default

Pull a plug and check spark that way
Old 06-04-2012, 10:04 AM
  #5  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Murphys96XJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

I'll pull it in the garage and check it tonight if I can make it act up again. It's starts are getting slower and slower over the last few days but only when its really warm does it not start at all.
Old 06-05-2012, 11:23 PM
  #6  
CF Veteran
 
jeepsurfer1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: va
Posts: 2,516
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: i-6 4.0
Default

So odd I don't have the answer...
Old 06-05-2012, 11:32 PM
  #7  
CF Veteran
 
Radi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 5,302
Likes: 0
Received 19 Likes on 16 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by jeepsurfer1
Pull a plug and check spark that way
^^

Next time it acts up, grab one of those old plugs you yanked, attach a plug wire to it, ground the shell and crank. See if you get spark *when it's acting up*.
Coils are good for working just fine on the bench and measuring A-OK, but acting up once they get a little warm. Substitution is the best test.
I've also seen CPS' do that, but not nearly as frequently as the coil.

Also you might pull a plug after the no-start and see if it's wet with gas. If it's bone-dry, look into the fuel system.
Old 06-06-2012, 06:01 AM
  #8  
CF Veteran
 
tjwalker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: In the middle of Minnesota!
Posts: 5,805
Received 99 Likes on 88 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

I agree with the others. You must check for spark when symptomatic. You need a strong, BLUE, snapping spark to start the engine. Orange/white/yellow indicates a weak spark which may not be strong enough to start the engine.

If you have good spark, suspect a fuel problem. If you have weak spark, suspect the ignition coil. And if you have no spark, suspect the crankshaft position sensor or coil. It is not unusual to see thermal (heat related) failure on the crankshaft position sensor.
Old 11-14-2022, 05:28 AM
  #9  
Newbie
 
trav18's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2022
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Cherokee

Originally Posted by tjwalker
I agree with the others. You must check for spark when symptomatic. You need a strong, BLUE, snapping spark to start the engine. Orange/white/yellow indicates a weak spark which may not be strong enough to start the engine.

If you have good spark, suspect a fuel problem. If you have weak spark, suspect the ignition coil. And if you have no spark, suspect the crankshaft position sensor or coil. It is not unusual to see thermal (heat related) failure on the crankshaft position sensor.
I’m having the same problem with my jeep that starts with starting fluid and I checked the spark from the coil to distributor and it’s not consistent replace the coil with a new one same problem
Related Topics
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
Rotorhead
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
10
08-31-2015 12:41 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)
 


Quick Reply: 96 XJ won't start when warm



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:04 PM.