xjcongenie

I cracked the alternator casing, so I changed it now, my 1995 xj sport won't fire, and my computer was reading running when it was not, I'm in need of help

belvedere

If the old alternator wasn't charging, your battery may have discharged before you installed the new one. In that case, you'll have to charge the battery to get it going. Not sure what you mean about the computer.

The Rooster

Do you have spark and fuel...?

Bustedback

Did you blow a fuse while changing the alternator?

mdnov

Stupid Question. Was the battery disconnected when the alternator was replaced?

xjcongenie

Yea battery was hooked up and I am getting fuel, no spark. i had a mechanic hook it up to trouble shoot it, my computer was reading the engine was running when it wasn't so I got a used computer still no spark. I plan on doing my own trouble shooting just was wanting to get others thoughts on the issue

CCKen

I think your ASD relay is part of the alternator circuit in your year Jeep. You may want to troubleshoot in that direction.

xjcongenie

Ok thank you I will trouble shoot there, today I took the cap off distributor it was turning but the distributor rotor is black I don't know if that would hurt to change it, but I will check the relay for auto shutoff

kansas-klx

Couple of summers ago I had a no start problem after changing my alternator. Turned out it was a fuse in the power distribution center. Automatic shutdown relay fuse, if memory serves me correctly. Couldn't find any reason for it to be blown, but it was. Only found it after a loooong afternoon of troubleshooting, too.

mdnov

That is why I asked if the battery was connected when the alternator was changed. If the battery was connected, that could cause the fuse to blow. The battery should always be disconnected when doing any electrical work.

xjcongenie

Thank you, I think ill just change the relay just to be safe. It is driving me nuts I'm ready to go wheeling.

kansas-klx

Yeah, forgot to mention that I had disconnected the positive cable and moved it aside but as I worked it drifted back over and was touching the positive post (unnoticed by me ) on the battery again while I worked. Made for a frustrating afternoon trying to find why the engine wouldn't start...

It'll be a long time before I forget that day!

CCKen

Just an FYI:

Battery disconnect/reconnect protocol is disconnect negative cable first before disconnecting positive cable, then when reinstalling cables, connect positive cable first, then connect negative cable.

The ECM/PCM does not like voltage spikes that may be caused by arcing at the battery connections. Nor does it like disconnecting a battery cable whilke the engine is running; when this occurs, the ECM/PCM may dump any program it has for controlling the alternator, and may end up with no alternator output at all.

xjcongenie

I have changed distributor cap and rotor, pick up coil and auto shutdown relay. I still trying to turn over but will not fire

mdnov

Have you looked for burnt or crunchy wires?