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.

What's the right firing order?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 22, 2018 | 12:46 PM
  #1  
TheClaw's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: ChicagoLand
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default What's the right firing order?

I'm replacing the plugs, wires and distributor cap. I noticed that there is "1" molded into the existing cap. No reason to think it's not original (bought it with 29k miles). The terminal on the cap goes to the #1 cylinder. However, in the Haynes and chilton manual the distributor cap sequence looks rotated by one position. The "1" indicated on the existing dist cap is shown as the number "5" in the manuals. I'm inclined to reinstall the new dist cap in the same order as the one already on the car but confused why both manuals show a different order.


Reply
Old Dec 22, 2018 | 01:10 PM
  #2  
Turbo X_J's Avatar
CF Veteran
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,567
Likes: 20
From: ☼ Blackhole Sun
Year: My Jeep is a GMC
Default

To quote DFlintstone:
"The books and diagrams are WRONG! #1 is at 5:00 as viewed from the side, 153624 clockwise. (inline 6 cyl.)"
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2018 | 02:35 PM
  #3  
dave1123's Avatar
Old fart with a wrench
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 14,398
Likes: 740
From: Manlius, east of Syracuse, NY
Year: 2000 XJ Sport & WJ Laredo
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Look at the location of the #1 wire on the diagram in relation to the hold-down screws. It's the first wire socket past the screw in the clockwise direction. Regardless of it's position on the clock, that molded number 1 has nothing to do with it being the #1 spark plug wire socket. On the old breaker point distributor, you could install the distributor in any position and call #1 wire socket the one that the rotor points to when piston #1 is at TDC on compression. As a matter of fact, on the Chevy small block V8, I used to install the distributor 1 tooth off to give me more room to tighten the hold-down clamp because of the vacuum advance can. Then I just moved the plug wires in the cap. Other guys would look at that and say "That's wrong!" "Yeah, but it runs the 1/4 in 12.5 anyhow!"
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2018 | 02:55 PM
  #4  
Dumajones's Avatar
Moderator CF K9-unit
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,842
Likes: 12
From: Alaska
Year: 2000 sport
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: New 4.0l from s&j engines
Default









Yep book is wrong... Here is the right way.

Last edited by Dumajones; Dec 22, 2018 at 02:59 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2018 | 03:53 PM
  #5  
DFlintstone's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 24
From: Nor-Cal Coast
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
Default

Nice pic Jones
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2018 | 05:24 PM
  #6  
Dumajones's Avatar
Moderator CF K9-unit
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,842
Likes: 12
From: Alaska
Year: 2000 sport
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: New 4.0l from s&j engines
Default

Originally Posted by DFlintstone
Nice pic Jones
Thanks..

The first pic I have no clue where I got it.
Second pic I snatched from Pete
The third I moved the screws to correct position.
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2018 | 05:38 PM
  #7  
TheClaw's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: ChicagoLand
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Too bad I spent good money on those crap manuals.

Yeah, good pictures Jones

Thanks,
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2018 | 09:15 PM
  #8  
DFlintstone's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 24
From: Nor-Cal Coast
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
Default

It's only 1/2 crap Jeff. Can be handy to have print handy. Myself, often I can see the "procedure" described makes no sense, often there are shortcuts. Still a whole lot can be very helpful. Enter the FSM's. (Factory Service Manual) Myself, even on an actual computer, (not a stupid phone), all the info is there but can be a real ***** to find. And that's here in front of a computer, not out at the job. Anyway crusier54.com may, or may not have links to the FSM for your rig.

And thnks for the Credit Turbo.

Last edited by DFlintstone; Dec 22, 2018 at 09:32 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2018 | 09:25 PM
  #9  
dave1123's Avatar
Old fart with a wrench
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 14,398
Likes: 740
From: Manlius, east of Syracuse, NY
Year: 2000 XJ Sport & WJ Laredo
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Whelp! Wrong again! I should just disappear into a closet, huh? The problem is I haven't had a 4.0L with a dizzy in 8 years and when I changed the cap and wires, I just replaced them where the old ones were. Thanks for setting me straight, Duma. At least when I'm wrong, I'll admit it.

SO, that makes the molded #1 in the right place then, second one past the screw going clockwise, right?

Last edited by dave1123; Dec 22, 2018 at 09:33 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2018 | 09:39 PM
  #10  
DFlintstone's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 24
From: Nor-Cal Coast
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
Default

Originally Posted by dave1123
I used to install the distributor 1 tooth off to give me more room to tighten the hold-down clamp because of the vacuum advance can. Then I just moved the plug wires in the cap. Other guys would look at that and say "That's wrong!" "Yeah, but it runs the 1/4 in 12.5 anyhow!"
Neat Dave. Yep, spark where spark is due. Pesky condensers.............

Reply
Old Dec 23, 2018 | 08:18 AM
  #11  
Turbo X_J's Avatar
CF Veteran
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,567
Likes: 20
From: ☼ Blackhole Sun
Year: My Jeep is a GMC
Default

^
how long did it take you to key all that in? lol
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2018 | 04:55 PM
  #12  
TheClaw's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: ChicagoLand
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

I think you just downloaded the entire internet into this thread!
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2018 | 07:57 PM
  #13  
Steve5280's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
From: Fort Collins
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L coming out, 4.7L Stroker going in soon.
Default

15 is too young, 36 is too old, 24 is just right. 153624. Credit to an old mechanic friend Mud.
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2018 | 05:56 PM
  #14  
DFlintstone's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 24
From: Nor-Cal Coast
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
Default

Not so sure but it seems to me Pete got a little cared away with his dizy indexing mod. I haven't cut my stuff or tried it on ether of my 90"s, Though.
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2018 | 02:11 AM
  #15  
awg's Avatar
awg
CF Veteran
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,816
Likes: 725
Year: 96
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by Steve5280
15 is too young, 36 is too old, 24 is just right. 153624. Credit to an old mechanic friend Mud.
that was good when I was a young fella

now that I am old & confused, 36 be very tasty, 54 just right, 62 still not too old, almost need a V8
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:05 AM.