So, totally random: I replaced my water pump and thermostat yesterday. Good times! But, went to start it up and nothing. Battery is good - cranks but won't turn over.

I know it has to be one of three things: fuel, air or spark -- so, I'm going to run the course with checking that first. Would an over-tightening of the serpentine belt cause an issue?

I'm going to go back and retrace my steps to make sure I didn't inadvertently disconnect the CPS, etc....but, any ideas here? I'm wondering if another issue independent of a water pump change has popped up while I was doing that...

Thanks,
- Jay

 

Jay_XJ has a 1996 XJ.

 

Did you spill anti-freeze on the ignition coil or distributor when you changed the pump?

 

Ha -- sorry. Yes: '96 Classic. Thanks, CCKen.

 

Not that I'm aware of, but anything's possible. Things were pretty dry when I reconnected the heater hose. I'll add that to the list.

 

If you removed the airbox to get at the t-stat more easily, it is possible you may have dislodged a connector on the fuel pump ballast resistor...



That would cause a no start condition but it will crank.

 

The 1996 XJ doesn't have the fuel pump resistor.

 

So, had a bit more time to dig in and determined that spark and fuel are both good. Going to try the CPS and the ignition coil next. Not sure why either of those would have been an issue with a water pump/thermostat change, but maybe it's just bad coincidence....

 

did you disconnect the coolant temperature sensor in the thermostat housing?

maybe its unrelated problem... check fuel pressure with a test gauge? check IAC operation?

 

Well, the search continues...

Replaced the CPS (that was fun) and assuming I got the damn thing to sit correctly in the bell housing, it didn't solve the no start. Checked the IAC and it seemed to be working.

I ruled out fuel -- threw starting fluid in the throttle body and still not start. Thinking now it might be the ignition coil. Any other ideas?

EDIT: Started! I disconnected the battery in the hopes that it would reset and it did. Sweet.

 

check for spark, pull a spark plug wire off the plug end and put a screw driver into the end of the wire, then lay it near a spot on the body with open metal, have someone try to start the jeep and see if you get spark from the screw driver to the metal. (DO NOT TOUCH THE METAL PART OF THE SCREW DRIVER WHILE DOING THIS)!!!