It never ends, replaced battery grounds now no start
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 482
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From: Masonville, NY
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
I know this sounds really dumb, but did you check the battery terminals and connections? I had a loose connection on one of my terminals that kept me chasing my tail for a while. Sometimes I would have no power at all, and sometimes it would crank but then not turn over. Rummaging around in there may have disrupted something.
BlueRidgeMark, I just would caution against taking the Advance/Autozone/etc. battery test as gospel. I had one store tell me a perfectly good battery was bad.
BlueRidgeMark, I just would caution against taking the Advance/Autozone/etc. battery test as gospel. I had one store tell me a perfectly good battery was bad.
With the new battery, cranking volts are 11 volts...
Swapped in a used cam position sensor. Still no joy......
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,357
Likes: 103
From: Canton, MI
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
How "working" is it.
You can test the coil.
See pics.
Testing Primary - 200 Ohm scale:
Testing Secondary - 20K Ohm scale:
Testing the coil while it's still installed is made easier if you fab some test leads like these. Terminals available at O'reilly's.
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 482
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From: Masonville, NY
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Thank you Ken! I have an aftermarket that is out of spec by a little and a Mopar one although it's pedigree is questionable. Had difficulty testing it as it's installed. I'll pick another one up and keep my fingers crossed......
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,052
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From: PA
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Crow,I would put all parts back to original,clean all ground terminals,add dielectric grease & make sure all are tightened completely.
Also "new" battery cranking of 11 volts is not good.
Inspect & clean the wires at your starter. Is your starter covered in oil?
How fast is the starter spinning?
And are you getting good spark at your plugs?
Also "new" battery cranking of 11 volts is not good.
Inspect & clean the wires at your starter. Is your starter covered in oil?
How fast is the starter spinning?
And are you getting good spark at your plugs?
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,357
Likes: 103
From: Canton, MI
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I respectfully submit the following (within the quote)
.
Crow,I would put all parts back to original,clean all ground terminals,add dielectric grease & make sure all are tightened completely.
The OP has installed new ground cables and used Ox-Guard, which is good. Never use Dielectric grease on ground or B+ ring terminals
Also "new" battery cranking of 11 volts is not good.
What's wrong with 11 volts? That's good. I hope you don't expect to see 12 volts during the cranking cycle.
Inspect & clean the wires at your starter. Is your starter covered in oil?
How fast is the starter spinning?
The OP said he has no problem cranking (post #1)
And are you getting good spark at your plugs?
OP said he doesn't have a blue spark so he's going to try a new coil.
The OP has installed new ground cables and used Ox-Guard, which is good. Never use Dielectric grease on ground or B+ ring terminals
Also "new" battery cranking of 11 volts is not good.
What's wrong with 11 volts? That's good. I hope you don't expect to see 12 volts during the cranking cycle.
Inspect & clean the wires at your starter. Is your starter covered in oil?
How fast is the starter spinning?
The OP said he has no problem cranking (post #1)
And are you getting good spark at your plugs?
OP said he doesn't have a blue spark so he's going to try a new coil.
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: Masonville, NY
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,357
Likes: 103
From: Canton, MI
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Look at the schematic in post 17. You can see a Grey wire coming from the PCM - it's the driver wire (ground pulse). The Dark Green/Orange tracer wire is the power wire from the ASD relay. You won't see 12 volts from the ASD until the engine is rotating and the CPS sees the rotation and pulls the ASD relay in. The ground pulse from the PCM is controlled by the Cam Sensor.
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 482
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From: Masonville, NY
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Pulled plugs several times. They are getting fuel and are wet.
Replaced battery
Replaced coil
Tested CPS - good, infinite resistance between B & C terminals
Swapped in a cam pos. sensor. Have since replaced it with the original one that was newer
Spark looked weak to me slightly yellow
Cranks but no start. It wants to, but no joy...
Check fuses in PDC. All good
Swapped around relays with ASD relay.
I think thats about it.I hope this isn't pointing to the PCM...
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: Masonville, NY
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Look at the schematic in post 17. You can see a Grey wire coming from the PCM - it's the driver wire (ground pulse). The Dark Green/Orange tracer wire is the power wire from the ASD relay. You won't see 12 volts from the ASD until the engine is rotating and the CPS sees the rotation and pulls the ASD relay in. The ground pulse from the PCM is controlled by the Cam Sensor.
I've reread your post a dozen times and I'm not able to wrap my mind around it..
Last edited by Crow Horse; Feb 23, 2016 at 06:50 PM.
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7,965
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From: Lost in the wilds of Virginia
Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,302
Likes: 23
From: Wisconsin
Model: Cherokee
Replace battery to engine ground, battery to fenderwell, battery to radiator support with 4AWG marine cable and engine to firewall ground.
Pulled plugs several times. They are getting fuel and are wet.
Replaced battery
Replaced coil
Tested CPS - good, infinite resistance between B & C terminals
Swapped in a cam pos. sensor. Have since replaced it with the original one that was newer
Spark looked weak to me slightly yellow
Cranks but no start. It wants to, but no joy...
Check fuses in PDC. All good
Swapped around relays with ASD relay.
I think thats about it.I hope this isn't pointing to the PCM...
Pulled plugs several times. They are getting fuel and are wet.
Replaced battery
Replaced coil
Tested CPS - good, infinite resistance between B & C terminals
Swapped in a cam pos. sensor. Have since replaced it with the original one that was newer
Spark looked weak to me slightly yellow
Cranks but no start. It wants to, but no joy...
Check fuses in PDC. All good
Swapped around relays with ASD relay.
I think thats about it.I hope this isn't pointing to the PCM...
I think Ken is trying to explain what you should find on the two wires plugged into the coil. One supplies battery voltage, through the ASD relay after the engine is rotating. The other is switched off of ground by the PCM every time the coil should fire.
