Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

Very confusing no start, unless ECU reset

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-08-2018, 06:20 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
d-bone95's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default Very confusing no start, unless ECU reset

So this is a weird one,

I've had running/starting issues and have done a whole bunch of diagnosis and whatnot to get the jeep back to running good, here's where I'm at now:

I just installed a brand new OEM CPS, reset the ECU as you should with a new CPS, and she started and runs great. But, once I shut it off and tried to start it again, no crank, no nothing, clicks once and that's it.

Here's the weird part though, after the no crank/no nothing, I disconnect the positive battery cable and reset the ECU, and she started and runs and drives fine, but as soon as I shut it off it won't start again.

Can someone please point me in the right direction to what on earth is going on?
Thanks in advance
Old 03-09-2018, 11:49 AM
  #2  
CF Veteran
 
robertj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Herndon, VA
Posts: 1,077
Received 21 Likes on 18 Posts
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Sounds like it could be a bad ECU.
Old 03-09-2018, 12:48 PM
  #3  
CF Veteran
 
Turbo X_J's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: ☼ Blackhole Sun
Posts: 8,567
Likes: 0
Received 18 Likes on 16 Posts
Year: My Jeep is a GMC
Default

Originally Posted by d-bone95
Can someone please point me in the right direction to what on earth is going on?
It could be an Earth or a positive connection, clean everything up and it'll probably start every time. I hate to say you probably wasted time & money just replacing the CPS.
What all did this "diagnosis" consist of exactly?
Old 03-09-2018, 09:40 PM
  #4  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
d-bone95's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

The old CPS was bad, that's forsure, it was the initial problem. The backstory is it died driving home one day, no start/no spark, replaced the cps with a non oem one and it started fine but ran really rough, replaced that cps with an oem one and now runs great, but will only start if I reset the pcm, not the ecu, just to clarify.

In terms of diagnosis, every fuse/relay was checked, wires and grounds were checked/ cleaned, battery was load tested and is fine, fuel pump checked out good. The only thing that hasn't been tested is the starter.

In terms of this issue, to clarify, it will only start if I reset the pcm, and it fires up first try and runs good. if I don't reset the pcm, it clicks once and doesn't turn over. Could it be a the starter solenoid or a starter relay issue?
Old 03-10-2018, 12:31 AM
  #5  
CF Veteran
 
Turbo X_J's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: ☼ Blackhole Sun
Posts: 8,567
Likes: 0
Received 18 Likes on 16 Posts
Year: My Jeep is a GMC
Default

It only starts when you disconnect & re-connect the battery, that's where the connection issue is.
Old 03-10-2018, 12:57 AM
  #6  
CF Veteran
 
PatHenry's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Groton, MA
Posts: 3,695
Received 234 Likes on 207 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: I6 4.0L
Default

Jordan made a very good point in a previous post about the battery cable "jumping" when the starter tries to draw the massive amount of power it needs to fire the starter. Everything else ran fine, no radio resetting, lights worked, etc.
Therefore, considering what Turbo is saying, you need to make sure that the battery cables are both clean and -tight-.

I'd put some terminal or di-electric grease on the terminals and make sure the cables are tight AF - let us know if that helps.
Old 03-10-2018, 12:09 PM
  #7  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
d-bone95's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

That's the plan for today, I'm going to clean up the battery and recheck and tighten all the battery cables, might just replace them for peace of mind and see if it solves the problem

I realized my explanation of the issue was somewhat unclear, when I go to start the jeep I get a relay click, that's it.

EDIT: to even further confuse this, I just hosed down the engine bay, including the starter, because it was nasty and I was planning to remove the starter, and now it starts? I'm guessing the starter is going/ gone bad and somehow cleaning it is now allowing it to start. Can dirt/oil on the starter cause a no start?

Last edited by d-bone95; 03-10-2018 at 05:37 PM.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
DaRock
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
37
06-27-2022 09:29 AM
98XJ321
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
3
04-06-2015 11:27 AM
jeepney123
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
2
11-01-2012 11:26 PM
JCsavage
Stock Grand Cherokee Tech. All ZJ/WJ/WK Non-modified/stock questions go here!
2
12-17-2011 06:41 PM
JCsavage
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
2
12-17-2011 08:42 AM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


Quick Reply: Very confusing no start, unless ECU reset



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:37 AM.