Hey guys, I'm typing this up from the Wyotech Shop, My 97 4.0 shredded a distributor gear last week. Got a dist from a 4.0 that worked just fine, put it in.

Now it cranks perfect, and will hesitate. It'll sputter like it wants to start, but it just won't.

Checked fuel pressure at the schrader valve, checked spark at the coil and the dist. Checked TDC compression stroke cyl #1.

All of those are good. Did a compression test on all 6 cyls too all within AllData specs.

Any ideas? I'm leaning towards crank position sensor.

 

Crank sensors are almost a wear item on the XJs and ZJs, I would start there.

 

OK, well we tested the CKP, and it's good. all of us are at a dead end. Instructors are confused as hell.

 

was the dist good you installed firing order correct

 

Yes. Everything is right. Had it checked by 4 instructors today. Only thing we could come up with is that there's no residual pressure in the fuel rail. Which leads to a bad pump, or clogged filter, or both.

 

Check for voltage at the primary side of the coil and check for a pulsing ground at the primary side of the coil. If you have voltage then the fuses and relays are ok. If you have no pulsing ground then the crank or cam sensor are to blame. BTW the cam sensor is also known as the pickup coil in the distributor.