Drove my Jeep Saturday ,not an issue at all .No stalling ,plenty of power . No signs of any problems .Went out Sunday to go somewhere and it wouldn't start . (no spark from coil ) it turned over just fine . Replaced coil & still no spark . A friend of mine tried hooking it up to a diagnostic machine and just got an error (no codes).took steering collum apart and noticed ignition switch had heated up at some point .Checked for voltage to coil and got nothing .I know there are similar threads out there,saying to replace the CPS .But right now I'm low on cash flow .One of my friends thinks it's the brain box ,those things ain't cheap . Do y'all think it's the CPS ,brain box or ignition switch . Please help !!!! I gotta get this thing back on the road . Your help or input is appreciated . I can work on a few things but am not a mechanic by any means.Thanks

 

Well since you say that the ignition switch has been over heated you should start there. If it isn't your problem right now it will be soon if it has the signs of melting. Next I would look into you CPS. Do a search on here, There are several write ups on how to test it. The only problem the test for the CPS isn't always 100% accurate. If you do end up having to buy a new CPS do your self a big favor and get it from the dealer. The after market ones are hit and miss with a lot more miss!

 

Managed to pull off CPS and wound up dropping a socket into the transmission ,( Oh joy ) . Will check with dealer on price of new one . Any recommendations on how to get it out,without pulling the engine and flywheel ?I had no idea the hole next to that sensor was so wide .New ignition switch is roughly $40.00 . I have no idea how far the dealership is going to bend me over for this sensor .Will keep y'all posted

 

Pull the inspection plate cover and use a magnet to fish it out.

 

Check your fuses for power to feed the coil.

I am working on a no start 97 for some time now, so far no luck.

I put a test light on the orange wire near the coil, until it got

12 volt.....

 

Good reading here guys ...http://jeep-xj.info/HowtoECUcodes.htm

 

I did not get any bad codes off my code reader.

My 97 XJ ended up being the CPS, and the Camshaft sensor.

 

Thanks for all your help guys . I got the socket out ! replaced the CPS and it still didn't start . Replaced ignition switch and success . Ignition switch was a breeze to replace . Thanks for all of your input