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.

I Need Help...1991 Cherokee Won't Run

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 31, 2009 | 02:31 PM
  #1  
chantal73's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Amsterdam,Netherlands
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Unhappy I Need Help...1991 Cherokee Won't Run

hi,

i really need help..

my 1991 cherokee won't run.. when i turn the key it cranks..but that's it.

i drove it for a couple of weeks and all of the sudden it just stopped.

my husband checked everything from computer to csp..all is good

it has a spark..it's not the fuel pomp, i've tried two different computers,

my husband thinks the injectors won't open...

when he puts some fuel in the carborator it runs...until the fuel in it is gone..

anybody has any ideas ??


we can't read the computer for codes...
and bringing it to a jeep specialist is just to expsensive over here in the netherlands, but i just don't want to get rid of my cherokee like that,
so i was hoping i could find some help over here

greetings Chantal
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2009 | 02:35 PM
  #2  
jeepjerry's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Genoa City, WI
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Crankshaft position sensor may have went bad, it tells the computer when to open the injectors. It will still have spark without it since they have distributors.
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2009 | 02:37 PM
  #3  
mike37's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 9
From: Paso Robles Ca
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by chantal73
hi,

i really need help..

my 1991 cherokee won't run.. when i turn the key it cranks..but that's it.

i drove it for a couple of weeks and all of the sudden it just stopped.

my husband checked everything from computer to csp..all is good

it has a spark..it's not the fuel pomp, i've tried two different computers,

my husband thinks the injectors won't open...

when he puts some fuel in the carborator it runs...until the fuel in it is gone..

anybody has any ideas ??


we can't read the computer for codes...
and bringing it to a jeep specialist is just to expsensive over here in the netherlands, but i just don't want to get rid of my cherokee like that,
so i was hoping i could find some help over here

greetings Chantal
do a serch for key codes

you can turn the key on three times and count the check engine light flashes to get the codes
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2009 | 02:44 PM
  #4  
mike37's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 9
From: Paso Robles Ca
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

link to good instructions

http://reviews.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1991-1995-Jeep-Wrangler-YJ-Trouble-Codes_W0QQugidZ10000000005763791
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2009 | 02:45 PM
  #5  
chantal73's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Amsterdam,Netherlands
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Default

thanks for the answers...


if my husband takes out the crank shift positioner, it won't spark...
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2009 | 02:46 PM
  #6  
chantal73's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Amsterdam,Netherlands
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by mike37
do a serch for key codes

you can turn the key on three times and count the check engine light flashes to get the codes

Thanks for the reply

we can't check for codes since the light doesn't work...

if i turn the key i'm not getting any engine light.. my husband checked all the bulbs and they're working.. i just don't seem to have an engine light
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2009 | 02:46 PM
  #7  
Abovetimberline's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 11
From: Chico,ca
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

If you are able to put fuel down the throttle body and run it,that says the cps and timing is ok,turn on the key and check for fuel on the fuel rail,there is a cap on the front of the fuel rail that looks like the cap on your tire stem,remove it and use like a small screw driver to open the valve and see if you have pressure there.
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2009 | 02:49 PM
  #8  
chantal73's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Amsterdam,Netherlands
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by mixed89
If you are able to put fuel down the throttle body and run it,that says the cps and timing is ok,turn on the key and check for fuel on the fuel rail,there is a cap on the front of the fuel rail that looks like the cap on your tire stem,remove it and use like a small screw driver to open the valve and see if you have pressure there.
Hi,

my husband checked that and the fuel bursts out.. so yes there is enough pressure there
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2009 | 04:44 PM
  #9  
Jamie57's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 11
From: London Ontario Canada
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Is it a Limited? Does it have a factory security system?
And have you disconnected the battery?
If all three are yes then you need to reset the security system.
My 91 drove me bonkers for 3 days till I found out about this.
Exact same symtoms too.
Put the key in the drivers door and lock and unlock the dooor a few times.
It resets the system and it should run now.
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2009 | 06:09 AM
  #10  
chantal73's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Amsterdam,Netherlands
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Smile

Originally Posted by Jamie57
Is it a Limited? Does it have a factory security system?
And have you disconnected the battery?
If all three are yes then you need to reset the security system.
My 91 drove me bonkers for 3 days till I found out about this.
Exact same symtoms too.
Put the key in the drivers door and lock and unlock the dooor a few times.
It resets the system and it should run now.
no really ?? haha that would be something if that's ALL it is ghehe
gonna try later today...thanks
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2009 | 07:15 AM
  #11  
chantal73's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Amsterdam,Netherlands
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Default

well the key trick doesn't work hahahaha

i'm getting a little crazy over my jeep
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2012 | 12:41 AM
  #12  
Nicks90xj's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 148
Likes: 1
From: loma linda
Year: 90
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 with Bomb proof mounts
Default

check injector pulse with a tester. see if its geting signal on wire side. if there is fuel and spark it should run if the timing is good. might be injectors but starting fluid will help with that if there is signal on harness side. check spark plugs? strong spark on coil? and plug side of spark plug wires?
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2012 | 01:02 AM
  #13  
Radi's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,302
Likes: 23
From: Wisconsin
Model: Cherokee
Default

my husband thinks the injectors won't open...
I'm guessing he's right. Can you hear or feel them clicking when you crank the engine? ^^ prev post is good advice. The tester is called a "noid" light, it will flash when the injectors fire, assuming they are.
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2012 | 01:09 AM
  #14  
Nicks90xj's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 148
Likes: 1
From: loma linda
Year: 90
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 with Bomb proof mounts
Default

Originally Posted by Radi
I'm guessing he's right. Can you hear or feel them clicking when you crank the engine? ^^ prev post is good advice. The tester is called a "noid" light, it will flash when the injectors fire, assuming they are.
yes its a noid. best way to make sure
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
seansr
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
13
Oct 20, 2025 02:48 PM
zumer715
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
18
Jul 8, 2022 05:17 PM
XJ ONLY
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
8
Jan 26, 2019 06:30 PM
smithj
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
4
Aug 24, 2015 10:24 PM
hkb
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
4
Aug 21, 2015 05:48 AM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:53 PM.