Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

cranks but wont start

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-29-2010, 12:23 PM
  #1  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
damo885's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default cranks but wont start

hey guys, I'm new to this forum stuff but I have a 98 cherokee sport that I just recently purchased. I bought it very cheap from a guy I know. The jeep sat for a lil over 2 years and he said it ran before he parked it. I put a new battery in, i had to add gas cuz it had an empty tank, and it wont fire over. It will crank but it wont turn over. I had a cherokee before so I'm familiar with tinkerin with them. I figure it needs a distributor cap, plugs, wires. But I'm also leaning towards the cps. I bought the jeep as a cheap project to work on with my brother so i hope i didn't get in over my head. I just want to get it runnin so any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. thanks
Old 03-29-2010, 12:29 PM
  #2  
Member
 
ehudpower's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Straight 6
Default

try the crankshaft postion sensor, mine just keeps cranking to and everybody on here is telling me its that so good luck with that!!
Old 03-29-2010, 12:37 PM
  #3  
CF Veteran
 
XJ Stryker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Smiths Station, Al
Posts: 7,661
Likes: 0
Received 13 Likes on 10 Posts
Year: 87
Model: Wagoneer
Engine: 4.0 I6
Default

Here is a diagram of the crank sensor. Usually the connector is degraded.

Name:  Crankshaft_Position_Sensor_diagram.jpg
Views: 5581
Size:  51.5 KB
Old 03-29-2010, 12:46 PM
  #4  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
damo885's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

thanks for the quick replies. I guess i'll have to put a new cps in. The jeep sat for a long time and it needs a lot of other things replaced as well. I was hoping for the problem to be something a little less expensive but i guess its a jeep thing. thanks again
Old 03-29-2010, 12:50 PM
  #5  
Member
 
ehudpower's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Straight 6
Default

the cheapest crankshaft sensor i found so far is at 4wd.com but could be different then yours who knows!!
Old 03-29-2010, 12:56 PM
  #6  
Renix Super Guru
 
BlueXJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: In yourz postez fissin jurr spelinzs
Posts: 24,653
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes on 12 Posts
Year: 1990XJ/1989MJ
Model: Comanche
Engine: 4.0L Renix
Default

try several applications of contact cleaner in both ends of the plug and several cycles of plugging and un-plugging the connection.
Old 03-29-2010, 01:09 PM
  #7  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
damo885's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

what type of contact cleaner should i use and should i plug and unplug both ends
Old 03-29-2010, 01:11 PM
  #8  
Renix Super Guru
 
BlueXJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: In yourz postez fissin jurr spelinzs
Posts: 24,653
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes on 12 Posts
Year: 1990XJ/1989MJ
Model: Comanche
Engine: 4.0L Renix
Default

I use the spray from Radiocrack. Yes do both ends and anyplace that has a plugable connection.
Old 03-29-2010, 01:15 PM
  #9  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
damo885's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

thanks ill give that a try before i buy a new cps
Old 03-30-2010, 07:56 PM
  #10  
CF Veteran
 
XJ Stryker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Smiths Station, Al
Posts: 7,661
Likes: 0
Received 13 Likes on 10 Posts
Year: 87
Model: Wagoneer
Engine: 4.0 I6
Default

You can even clean the sensor side of the CPS. 9 times out of 10 the sensor it fine it just can't pick up the signal do to dirt and dust.
Old 03-30-2010, 08:50 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
Throttle Jockey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 811
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

the crank sensor is a mag pulse generator, i see it all the time in my job. it is a magnet and any debris on the end will impede the signal. like stryker said, try cleaning the end of it.
Old 03-30-2010, 09:01 PM
  #12  
Junior Member
 
Huntermac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Gordon, Ga
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L I6
Default

had to replace my crank sensor. was a b*** to get to but mine did the same thing.
Old 04-05-2010, 08:50 PM
  #13  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
damo885's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Thanks for all the advice. I changed the crank sensor today and it started right up on the first try. It was a pain to do but it was worth it in the end. Now I can get to the other hundred things that my jeep needs lol. When I run into more trouble, you guys will be the first ill ask. I appreciate the help and thanks again.
Old 10-14-2010, 08:15 PM
  #14  
Newbie
 
bcingu's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: V6
Default

how do u get the CPS OUT? AND WHAT KIND OF TOOL DID U USE ? MINE IS FRAYED AND IT KEEPS DIEING BUT I DONT KNOW HOW TO GET IT OUT

BCINGU
Old 10-14-2010, 09:19 PM
  #15  
CF Veteran
 
Troth's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Inline 6 4.0L
Default

I would check your spark plugs too just to be safe. I dont want to make assumptions, but if your he sold it to you really cheap he may not have done too much maintainance. Plugs are easy and cheap. sounds like you got your sensor problem figured out, congrats, check plugs too


Quick Reply: cranks but wont start



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:44 AM.