96 Cherokee, all stock 4.0 with 236,000 miles.

My Jeep runs perfect but I pulled in last night and turned it off, it was running fine.

This morning I got in it to go to a job interview and it would not start.

I sprayed some starting fluid into the intake and turned it over and nothing.

I pull a plug and grounded it to the valve cover and had somebody turn it over while I watched the plug for fire and it produced none. Absolutely no spark at all.

2 years ago I replaced the rotor and cap along with 4 prong plugs and wires.

Help me trouble shoot here.

I checked the fuses under the hood and the 60 amp ignition Maxi fuse is fine.

Next will be my distributer.

I am trying to think where the coil is.

I have pulled the ECM box to make sure the plugs are not dirty.

There is also the key switch.

What other areas do I need to check?

 

battery? alternator?

also, the coil is down in front of the oil filter, kinda in behind the battery. I'd take a look at the rotor and cap too, figuring it can't hurt to be sure.

 

So, it's not even cranking? Like you turn the key and nothing happens (maybe a click)?

In that case first verify battery voltage
Next, assuming you have the automatic, try starting in Neutral, or move the shift lever back and forth a few times and try again.

No crank-no starts are somewhat different in approach then crank-no starts...

 

So it cranks with no spark. Until someone more in the know comes along...the mini fuses count! Does 96 have a #17? check'm all! Might be if a wire to ether your front 02 sensor, (near the hot manifold), or your rear 02 sensor, getting beat up, or burnt by lord knows what, grounds, THAT can blow a mini fuse that the ASD relay needs to make a bunch of other stuff work. (Like spark and injector pulse)

 

Start at one end and work your way back.
No spark at the plug?
Check at the coil main lead. Nothing?
Check for power at the coil + terminal with the key on.
No power? Check the PDC, Ignition switch and connectors.
Yes power? Check the - coil terminal for ground pulses while cranking (test light works)
No ground pulses? Check the CPS first.

 

Unplug and plug back in cps plug first .

 

Thanks for the answers so far and yes it turns over as I have plenty of starter power but the problem is no spark.


I am thinking it can be anything including fuel pump as the automatic shut off will kill my ignition even if it is a fuel problem.


Thanks for the answers, I am going thru stuff and will let you know what it was when I find out.

 

I doubt low/no fuel pressure will cause the ASD to shut it down. Pretty sure one of those mini fuses can though.

You might be able to borrow a code reader free Btw.., fuel pressure gauge as well. You should hear the pump run a second when you first turn the key to Ign. Good luck!

 

Today I am having similar issue. Cranks but will not fire. Cant see spark after pulling. Don't have a fuel pressure regulator so I tested by mashing nipple on rail with knife and expected to squirt gas, instead just a trickle. I hear pump engage so its getting voltage. is it possible pump could still be bad?? confused.

 

Yes, the pump can still make noise - mine did when it went bad recently.

Not sure what model/year you have - but I would take the fuel hose off as close to the pump as possible (behind the filter) and cycle the key to on (with the hose pointed into a bucket) - this really is the same test as the scrader valve, but is more of a pinpoint that ya, you're not pumping fuel, or you are and there are other issues (clogs, etc)

Once I swapped pumps it was fine again. Weird thing was when my pump went, not only did it still make noise - I had very good pressure in the hose still, at the schrader and when I went to pull off the line, but no fuel was coming out, which was a pretty obvious indicator the pump was bad.

 

Come on guys, lets "stay on point". Very unlikely it's a fuel pump issue, and that's very easy to check. Yes 2tall, stabs, it CAN run without pumping, but that is rare I'd think. Mine did exactly that when the pin from the motor to the impeller sheared.

 

In my case, I can rule out a sheared pin. Seems to be fine and making good contact. Cap and rotor were the first things I checked. I did notice while turning the key, if I stay on it longer than 6 seconds, sounds like I have a bird chirping right around my distributor. 98 4.0 inline 6

 

As DFlintstone said It won't be the fuel pump causing a no spark situation. I would double check all the fuses then the CPS and the coil. Those are the things that will cause a no spark/no start. BTW, You can not check the fuel pressure by pushing the the valve on the fuel rail. The only real way to check it is with a mechanical pressure gauge connected to the fuel rail. I don't recall if the 96 still requires 39psi or 49psi.

 

I think it went up when the regulator left the rail. I'm not sure if any 96's had the regulator up front or not. 95 did, 97 didn't.

 

No way. crankshaft sensor was replaced under 2 years ago. I spent six hours in the cold on my back with every wrench extension I have. Such a pain that thing is to replace. Please, give me something else to check. suggestions?