I just got a cherokee i need help, i think i fudged it up....
 

SO i got it 2 weeks ago and am hoping to turn it into my daily car. I am already prepared to spend alot on it since i got it for super cheap. but anyways i changed the spark plugs and the cables. And yes i did make sure to do it right. i labled everything on the new cables and cap before i removed the old one and put the new one. i changed the cap and the button thingy. Now i cant get it to turn over. I dosent sputter it dosent click. It makes the regular noise to turn on but it dosent.... finish it you get what im saying. I turn on an ran fine before i changed everything. bstery is good and has gas.

Send Help

Make sure the wire going to and from the ignition coil is seated good......also what year, motor, and trans is it?

I am getting the impression it is not cranking, as in the starter not engaging at all. If i'm hearing you right, check out a thread or two about checking and cleaning the neutral start safety switch. The timing of the failure could just be a coincidence and unrelated to your other work. Don't forget to keep everyone updated, especially with the resolution, thanks!

Does it crank the starter but then not fire up or does nothing happen when you turn the key? I'm not sure what the "regular noise" you're referring to is. :)

Often when its the NSS, it will start if you wiggle the shifter or put it in neutral.

Oh yes it does that cranks but dosent fire up. If i give it gas it goes but once I let it go it turns off

Plug wires are on incorrectly. Take pictures before taking anything apart. Look for a picture online? Or maybe someone will post the firing order?

Google to the rescue
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...370c64770c.gif

Hmmmm,,, See the difference?

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...1442e49f06.jpg

Thats the same image shown in the Haynes manual. Close, but not close enough. Its got the right firing order, but is not clocked correctly.

The location is the issue. #1 is at 5 o'clock. Not 6.

To me he is saying it starts when using the throttle but won’t idle. Similar to what they do when there is a weak connection at the battery or low voltage or even after the battery is disconnected/reconnected because it needs to relearn the values of the IAC. ?

I think Waynerd is on to something. FWIW, I had this happen on mine where it would start up if I gave it gas, but once I let off the throttle, it would die. I replaced the battery and it fired up no problem. Initially I couldn't get it to start after I left a light on, I wasn't changing my plugs though, so I am not sure if that makes a difference.

If you are on this site… if you Own a Cherokee... When cruiser 54 gives you a hint... It's probably worth following...
He wrote The Bible on this stuff.

the dude is pretty vague in his description of whats wrong but it sounds like wrong plug wires