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im sick please help - it wont stay started

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Old Oct 4, 2014 | 07:50 PM
  #1  
DocOrng XJ's Avatar
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Engine: 1987 4.0L (242 CID) I6 RENIX FI 242 173 hp (129 kW) @ 4600 rpm, 224 lb•ft (304 N-m) @ 4000RPM
Default im sick please help - it wont stay started

Ok so here's the deal.. I don't normally ask questions but I been sick for like 9 days now and I cant think clearly. So I need some help Please.

Vehicle: 96 Jeep Cherokee 4.0HO Manual 160K ish miles
Issue: When I turn it over, it cranks but will not start and stay that way.

What I know / Symptoms:
Battery & starter is good, it turns over.
Fuel pump and fuel filter are good and gas is flowing.
If I spray starting fluid down it's throat it starts and runs until i stop spraying.

What I've done:
Double checked battery, alternator, starter, fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel lines.
I pulled the injectors and there is alot of black crud built up. When i turn it on and turn it over, the injector's don't spray. (Are they suppose to?)

What I am asking:
Besides the injectors, is there anything else I need to look at?
What other Symptoms or problems it could be?

Thanks guys
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Old Oct 4, 2014 | 08:24 PM
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Cam position sensor then PCM
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Old Oct 4, 2014 | 11:44 PM
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Sounds like low fuel pressure to me. Verify fuel pressure first.
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Old Oct 5, 2014 | 04:37 AM
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Yep, you state " fuel pump and filter are good and gas is flowing", but you have a crank-not start issue with a fuel delivery issue (because that what your diagnostics so far suggest!): so you need to verify fuel pressure at the rails.

And how did that the injectors don't spray?
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Old Oct 5, 2014 | 07:26 AM
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yeah.. no fuel spray
test the fuel pressure as mentioned by cruiser
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Old Oct 5, 2014 | 07:46 AM
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No one suggesting a bad CPS? Looks like a typical symptom of a faulty CPS (crankshaft) to me.
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Old Oct 5, 2014 | 08:01 AM
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does it have spark? mine would fire on ether without spark. but the whole no spray at injectors... id do like suggested and test fuel pressure and then look for maybe a bad ground to injectors where they are all not firing. I've been hearing a lot about grounding issues on these jeeps. I'm new to jeeps but I'm having an injector issue of my own. mine is an 87 though, could be much different.
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Old Oct 5, 2014 | 08:23 AM
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Looks like someone has some reporting back to do.

Last edited by holycaveman; Oct 5, 2014 at 08:35 AM.
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Old Oct 5, 2014 | 08:33 AM
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Originally Posted by JMcIrvin
does it have spark? mine would fire on ether without spark. but the whole no spray at injectors... id do like suggested and test fuel pressure and then look for maybe a bad ground to injectors where they are all not firing. I've been hearing a lot about grounding issues on these jeeps. I'm new to jeeps but I'm having an injector issue of my own. mine is an 87 though, could be much different.
He has spark. And he has fuel pressure. But the bad ground (even though it's every other answer on this forum) is actually something to consider or rather wiring in general in my op.

Bad camshaft position sensor or pcm and ground/ wiring can cause a no spray condition from the injectors.
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Old Oct 5, 2014 | 09:29 AM
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Originally Posted by holycaveman
He has spark. And he has fuel pressure.
How much in psi? I must have missed where anyone so far has stated a spec.
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Old Oct 5, 2014 | 09:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Turbo X_J
How much in psi? I must have missed where anyone so far has stated a spec.
He stated he had pressure. Actual psi matters little in this particular issue.

For instance even with 10 psi the injectors will spray. He stated there was no spray at all.

How much psi is applied when he dumps fuel down the carb and it runs? Again psi is irrelevant for this application.

Last edited by holycaveman; Oct 5, 2014 at 09:40 AM.
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Old Oct 5, 2014 | 09:38 AM
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Originally Posted by Kalali
No one suggesting a bad CPS? Looks like a typical symptom of a faulty CPS (crankshaft) to me.
Runs on starting fluid.
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Old Oct 5, 2014 | 09:38 AM
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Originally Posted by holycaveman
He stated he had pressure. Actual psi matters little in this particular issue.

For instance even with 10 psi the injectors will spray. He stated there was no spray at all.
I'm confused, so actual fuel pressure matters or it doesn't?
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Old Oct 5, 2014 | 09:40 AM
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Originally Posted by holycaveman
He stated he had pressure. Actual psi matters little in this particular issue.

For instance even with 10 psi the injectors will spray. He stated there was no spray at all.
Perhaps he has less than this arbitrary number of "10"?

It runs on starting fluid.

Not enough fuel pressure or injectors not firing.
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Old Oct 5, 2014 | 09:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Turbo X_J
I'm confused, so actual fuel pressure matters or it doesn't?
Absolutely does matter.

Where the number "10" came from I have no idea.
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