No, you must isolate the root cause of your problem. No shortcuts.

 

Ok, so I lost spark with the old ecu, I had already ordered the new one because my original was damaged before I took ownership of the vehicle the ecu that was in it was for an automatic and I have a stick so it was throwing codes left and right. So I have the new ecu installed.
I've replaced the cps and got identical results as before.
I'm getting week ac voltage out of the secondary side (where the spark comes from) of both new and old ignition coils, both coils read good on the ohms tests.
Today I intend to replace the camshaft position located in the distributor cap; if that doesn't work I don't know where else to turn.

 

Have you checked your grounds?? Seems to be missed here. Stranger things have happened. ... Just my 2 cents..

 

I'll go ahead and check the grounds and this last sensor. If neither fixes the issue I think I will go ahead and try the after market ignition controller and here is my line of reasoning...
1. If (and that's a pretty big if) that solves my spark issues then I will save some money overall.
2. If all these sensors and a plethora of other issues can cause me to loose spark wouldn't it make more sense to bypass the risk of getting stranded on the trail or on my way to work etc.
3. Worse case scenario I put it on and it doesn't solve the problem I take it off and look for other avenues of approach.
I am not trying to approach this as a quick fix but more of an overall preventative measure. If a system is flawed to begin with isn't a better solution to do your best to remove the flaws so they don't interfere with normal operation?

This is the conclusion I've come to, if you have a logical reason or previous experience with this solution please let me know I am all ears to possible schools of thought and solutions.

 

The design is not flawed, rather you have a problem that you just haven't identified root cause with yet. Everybody has these tough ones once in a while....

Trying out outfox the OEM system with an aftermarket unit will almost assuredly be a bust.

Spark: 12 volts from ignition switch to the ASD relay; when the key is first turned on the PCM provides a ground to the ASD relay to energize it, then the ASD relay passes 12 volts to the coil primary side. If no crank sensor signal is generated after a couple of seconds the PCM cuts the ground to the ASD relay (and fuel pump relay too) and that cuts power to the coil (and fuel pump). Key to START and once again the PCM energizes the ASD relay. Now, a critical element is the crank sensor--no signal from the crank sensor and the PCM won't trigger the coil to provide spark.

 

So I've double checked all of my connections and grounds, replaced the camshaft position sensor (pickup, I guess; which was bad). The original cps was fine when I manually engage the starter relay both the asd and fuel pump relay engage as controlled by the pcm.
That being said still no spark. The ignition coil is still putting out minimal voltage but by no means enough the arch. The new ignition behaves exactly like the old one so there must be an issue between the pcm and the ignition lead. However if there was as short in the line would I get any voltage at all coming out of the coil at all?

 

I hooked up a diagnostic scanner which is showing the codes P1389 (Auto Shutdown voltage) and P1388 (Auto Shutdown Ckt)

So I am going to look around and see if I can't get a more in depth explanation.

I will continue to update my findings and again any further advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

I found this link that may be useful to the next guy: http://www.justanswer.com/jeep/1d5jn...-shutdown.html

I suppose I will run through this line of trouble shooting and update as results are found.

 

A P1388 is an open or short detected in the ASD (automatic shutdown) relay control curcuit.

SYMPTOM: P1388-AUTO SHUTDOWN RELAY CONTROL CIRCUIT

WHEN MONITORED
With ignition key ON and battery voltage above 10.4 volts .

SET CONDITION
An open or shorted condition is detected in the ASD Relay control circuit.

POSSIBLE CAUSES

Intermittent condition
ASD relay resistance
Fused ignition switch output circuit
ASD relay control circuit shorted to ground
ASD relay control circuit open
PCM