I have a 97 xj 4.0 sport it was acting like it was out of time and would not run started tinkering and discovered some wires when i applied pressure it would run fine it was the wires leading to the crank sensor. So i replaced the wiring harness. Now it wont even run it will turn over and try to start but never start. Ive put it in time TDC by the marks on the gears distributor is new it has compression on all cylinders has spark into and out of distributor i am completely lost at this point it will turn over and backfire through the throttle body the plugs are gas soaked. I am in north georgia if anyone knows any jeeo geniuses around the area itd be appreciated as would any advice.

 

If it ran until you replaced the harness, the problem is in there somewhere. Go back over every inch of it, or put the old one back temporarily. Did you install a used harness?

 

http://tomasz.korwel.net/2006/12/19/...omment-page-1/ Look at this to see if you missed anything. Also check your plug wire firing order.

 

firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4 and the rotor turns clockwise. Clylinders from front to back are# 1-2-3-4-5-6

 

He said "new distributor", too. Was the distributor replaced as an attempt to cure the no-start?

 

Bad connection where new harness comes into play.

 

Could be he crank haft censer that was what was with mine when it quit running and would not start.

 

To be honest the info is a bit of a mess. " Discovered some wires" ?
Before digging any further, maybe testing the CPS would be an idea.