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.

Won't start!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-21-2010, 09:04 AM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
CanadaJeep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Brooklin, Ontario
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default Won't start!

So I drove my XJ last night and had to put the defrost on, only to smell a burning rubber. So I figured it was the clutch and turned off the defrost.
Today I went out to start it and NOTHING! I have battery power (stereo and heater fan). There is no clicking or anything. I turn the key and only my stereo comes on.
What could this be? Please help!
Old 02-21-2010, 09:45 AM
  #2  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
CanadaJeep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Brooklin, Ontario
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

anyone?
Old 02-21-2010, 10:03 AM
  #3  
CF Veteran
 
BillyBoy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Posts: 1,117
Received 30 Likes on 25 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

does it make a click or anything?
can you hear the fuel pump from your gas tank when you first turn the key forward?
Old 02-21-2010, 10:11 AM
  #4  
CF Veteran
 
BillyBoy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Posts: 1,117
Received 30 Likes on 25 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

When you say the stereo comes on... are any of the other electronics affected?
Maybe that burning rubber smell you caught was wires or a relay melting.
I'd turn the key into th forward position (running)
Make sure you are in park,
and try to jump the starter with a screwdriver.
Basically, put on a glove (leather works well) graba a screwdriver, and make the connections on the starter-sylenoid.
Make sure you DO NOT tough the screwdricer to ANY body (of your jeep) parts.
It'll ground out if you do.
You follow the red wire from your battery to the sylenoid, usually it's the thick wire with a bigger ring on the end.
You touch the tip of screwdriver to the OTHER wire connection stud, then allow the screwdriver body to make the connection with the thick/red/big ring wire/stud. The juice takes the path of least resistance, turning the starter.
If the starter turns, you know the problem is somewhere electrical from the ignition to the starter.
Then you get to download the schematic of your jeep dash and learn how to take it apart so you can track down the bad wire.

Good luck bro.
Billy
Old 02-21-2010, 11:00 AM
  #5  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
CanadaJeep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Brooklin, Ontario
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

you wouldn't happen to have pic would you?
Old 02-21-2010, 12:05 PM
  #6  
Junior Member
 
swells's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Hurricane ut
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

did you check the switch on the steering coloum under the dash. mine burned up recently.
Old 02-21-2010, 01:30 PM
  #7  
CF Veteran
 
BillyBoy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Posts: 1,117
Received 30 Likes on 25 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Sorry man-
I'm non-technologically advanced.
Old 02-21-2010, 01:57 PM
  #8  
CF Veteran
 
BillyBoy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Posts: 1,117
Received 30 Likes on 25 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

[IMG]file://dmc-fs7/fs7_ctx_homedir$/Wczerw/My%20Documents/My%20Pictures/starter1[/IMG]

[IMG]file://dmc-fs7/fs7_ctx_homedir$/Wczerw/My%20Documents/My%20Pictures/starter2[/IMG]

The solenoid is on the top of the starter,
(the smaller cylinder).

This is located lower on the car, usually you have to lie underneath it and reach up to jump it.

On the top pict, you can see the front of the solenoid, the two posts you have to "jump" with your screwdriver.

RemEMBER!!!!

touch the little one that does not have a wire coming DIRECTLY from your battery first, then make the connection with the screwdriver to the post with the hot wire.

If you touch the hot wire first, you'll get bit!

Good-Luck!

Billy

Old 02-21-2010, 03:36 PM
  #9  
Member
 
Dsandine's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: omaha
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Liter H.O.
Default

did you try running CEL codes?
Old 02-21-2010, 03:39 PM
  #10  
Newbie
 
hugh8170's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by Dsandine
did you try running CEL codes?
also check ur fusialble link
Old 02-22-2010, 01:27 PM
  #11  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
CanadaJeep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Brooklin, Ontario
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

UPDATE - turns out it starts while in neutral, so it's the safety switch.
better that then having to trace a bad wire.
Thanks BillyBoy for your input.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Tj Cope
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
21
11-16-2022 08:32 PM
seansr
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
12
11-15-2022 06:08 AM
Gtrsrlly
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
5
08-25-2015 11:50 AM
smithj
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
4
08-24-2015 10:24 PM
Brynjaminjones
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
2
08-22-2015 05:01 AM

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


Quick Reply: Won't start!



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:01 AM.