Been working on a no spark problem on my sons 95 xj, hoping somebody will have some ideas.

It had been sitting for about 3 months. Initially fired right up, he drove it about 100', added some fuel, and pulled it down into my driveway. Then he shut it down and came into the house. About an hour later he went outside and it wouldn't start. Initially when it wouldn't start there was spark (fired on starting fluid) so we were thinking fuel pump. Filter was fine and we have fuel flow at the fuel rail.

Next morning there's no spark and we've spent the past two days trying to get spark. What can cause a no spark condition on an xj?

Here's what we've done so far:
- replaced CPS
- checked for 12v to coil
- replaced the coil
- checked codes, only a 12 for battery recently replaced (swapped in a battery out of my 99 after the weak battery died while trying to get it restarted)
- replaced distributor cap
- pulled the computer out, no funky smells, connector looked good.
- checked all the wiring connectors we could find, everything looked good.

Anybody have any ideas or advice?

Thanks,
Gord

 

Other items in the mix for spark are the ASD relay, which is in the Power Distribution center box near the left wheel well. Location diagram is inside the cover....
The coolant temp sensor is also in the system, and it may be located near or in the thermostat housing. or maybe in the head.....no sure on yours...

Camshaft position sensor is in the distributor, and I'm not sure if it will affect a no-spark problem.

 

Using a VOM + schematic will really help and is a LOT cheaper than throwing random parts at it.

Just a suggestion.

 

What codes were present when you pulled them ?

 

Only code (pulled with the ignition on/off etc. technique) was a 12, which indicates recent power loss (swapped out battery).

Forgot to mention in my original post, we did swap a few relays to test when we seemed to have no fuel. FWIW, I pulled the two different ignition fuses with the ignition on. Both had 12V and both made a relay click when removed/replaced.

Any idea of the camshaft position sensor could be bad?

So crazy that it literally was running, then shut off and 19 minutes later it wouldn't restart!

 

You have 12v when cranking @ the coil and still no hot white spark? What's the fuel pressure in psi? What did you replace the CPS with and why was it replaced?

 

12v at coil with ignition on but not cranking. I also just swapped the asd and abs relays just to double-check that.

Also, I just went and pulled the codes myself. Throws a 54 (failure of distributor pickup). DOH!

Back to the wrecker! :-)

 

Hmm...First test should of had 12,54,55 ....