I have a 1999 Cherokee 4.0. I replaced the starter and battery; after sitting for a year I went to start it and the engine would not turn over. Any suggestions?

 

Wait, did it sit a year before or after replacing the battery and starter?

 

It wouldn't crank or cranking and wouldn't start?

 

After sitting for a year, I replaced the starter (new) and battery (new).

 

check the basics first. Check the fuse, ASD relay, starting relay. Check the battery terminals, cables and grounds.

If it doesn't crank, try wiggling the shifter while turning the key to start, and also try to shift into neutral and start it.

If it cranks but doesn't start. Then check the fuel pressure, spark etc.

If it sound like the starter is trying to turn but doesn't crank. Check the solenoid.

 

Thanks for your input, but my worst concern was realized. I removed the spark plugs and tried to check for a vapor lock and all of them were badly corroded with number two severely corroded. I checked for moisture inside and sure enough there is water inside the number two cylinder.

 

Blow all the water out of the cyd's and then pour a light weight oil into them all and let sit for a few days or a week. At the same time pour a can or 2 of heat into the gas tank to remove water from fuel.


Then try to bump over the starter to see if it will turn over (not start no plugs) if not check on the oil in cyd and use more if needed then wait. You don't want to break a ring so go slowly. When it does finally turn freely stick the old plugs back in, pull coil wire and then turn over for a short time to force oil into the exhaust out of the cyd.


Then new plugs and see how it will run. This is not a method that always works but may save you an overhaul for a while I have used it many times in the past with good luck most of the time. Just don't get in a rush.