Here's the basics:
'98 XJ Classic, I-6, no start. Ran & Started great the other day repeatedly, then yesterday afternoon, all of this begins.
It cranks, is getting fuel, has excellent spark, all fuses and relays are fine, it just will not fire up and run. I'm baffled by this and can't seem to figure out what the hell could be causing it. So far my only guesses are the CPU (doubtful & unlikely) or the ignition pick-up under the Dist. cap (kinda leaning that way).

Basically I'm looking for some things I might have missed somewhere along the way...


R.L.

 

Could it also be the dreaded crank position sensor?

 

No CPS on 98, fortunately... Have you tested signal at alt. and starter? Could be cap/rotor or dist. Any way to get a code reader on it?

 

???
Some body didn't tell my 98 XJ this. I just changed mine last month.

 

All 4.0 engines have a crankshaft position sensor. Every single one.

But if you have good spark, then the crank sensor is not likely suspect here.

If the computer doesn't see the input signal from the crank sensor, you will not have spark and you will not have fuel going to the fuel injectors.

 

haha ....yeah there is definitely a CPS on the 98's and as a matter of fact, CPS problems are more common than not on XJ's.

I would guess that that is what is causing your problem. But a lot of the times when they go out, you will get a CE light on the dash.

 

You might pull a couple plugs and see if it looks flooded. One of a few things for a no-start with both spark and fuel.

I see you say its getting fuel. Still it's so easy to give a squirt of starting fluid to be sure that's not it.

 

So, after letting it sit and spending time on the phone trying to find an ign. pick up, I decided to check spark on individual plugs. I pulled the #2 wire off, stuck in my handy spark checking tool, and the **** fires right up. Now I'm pretty sure it was the ign. pick up, as it has been raining, and yesterday was windy as all hell and I think it might have dried under the cap out...
Now, I forgot if there's an o-ring seal between the distributor and the cap...
P.S.: I'm still looking fr a reasonable priced, working distributor for my other '98...

 

I was having intermittent starting and stalling problems with my '96 not long ago. Replaced the CPS and no more problems!

 

Never seen an O ring there. I think that's a "sink" coil there in the dizy for the injection. (Cps & computer handle the spark & timing) One good cure for a flooded engine is to let it sit for awhile. You might check your plug color after a good run, see if they look rich. Also make sure you are getting good Man. Vac. to the Map sensor.