97 4.0 No start
 

Help please..97 4.0 4wd, hunting rig (not Licensed) Started and ran perfect when I bought it last month. During delivery he backed it off the flatbed and hit really hard on the curb. Hard to start next day, drove around block, ran rough then wouldn't start again. Has a hard engine "thump" when turning over. Found and replaced a broken oil pressure sending unit. Check engine light is on. I don't have any tools to check codes. What now? Thanks

If yours is an early 97, try the procedure below. If yours is a later 97 build, this procedure won't work and you should beg, borrow or steal a code reader or a scan tool. You need to find out what code is set as you have a check engine light. Anything less and you're guessing or you have to use the old fashioned way of testing to find out which element(s) necessary for starting the engine that you are missing....fuel, spark or both.

Good luck and let us know what you find!
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OBDII models (1996 and “SOME” 1997 models)

Put the key into the ignition, push down the odometer reset button, then turn the key to RUN with your finger on the button - and then release the button. The odometer will go through 1111111 through 999999, then display the car's serial number. It will then show the 2 digit error codes. A "5-5" will always occur to signal the end of the sequence. Some will flash the "1-2" code indicating a recent battery disconnect even if you haven't done it. Ignore these two codes, and mark down all others.

The 2 digit code is helpful, but it is not as specific as the full PXXXX code, which is only available using a code reader or scan tool, so generally I recommend using the code reader or scan tool. But if you have a CEL and don’t have access to a code reader or a scan tool, try the odometer technique to point you in the right direction until you can gain access to a code reader or scan tool

Note: The above OBDII odometer technique works only for 1996 and early 1997 model XJs, so while it might work on one 1997 XJ, it might NOT work on another! Once Chrysler made the change during the 1997 build year, for anything built after that date through 2001 you will need either a code reader or a scan tool to retrieve the codes.

Ok, so my daughter's boyfriend's uncle towed it to his shop, replaced the fuel pump and it's running now. Yea. Now I just need to find a diagram of the ignition key setup. Using a screwdriver to start it is getting old.