I've got a 97 XJ Sport that won't start. Yesterday I was having a rough idle and the throttle was sticking after letting off the gas pedal and my thermostat gauge isn't working. I figure it's 2 separate problems.

Anyhow, today I took off the throttle body and sprayed it down with throttle body cleaner and cleaned the throttle plate and IAC as best I could.








I replaced the throttle body and the Jeep started up a little rough but ran. The throttle was still sticking a little. A few hours later I went to start it up again but it won't turn over.

Any suggestions of what might be causing the problem?

 

If it will not turn over check battery, connections, NSS. The sticking/crappy idle sounds like the IAC is kaput.

 

Checked all connections and battery. Got it to start by opening up the air filter box and pumping the throttle, but that's after a couple of tries. And once I kill the engine it's a pain in the *** to start up again.

If I replace IAC, would it help the ignition problem?

 

Is it not turning over, as in the starter motor isn't turning the engine? Or is it turning over but not firing up?
If it isn't turning over at all, see the things Turbo XJ listed. If it's not firing unless you feather the gas pedal, replace the IAC.

 

Thanks! Sounds like it's the IAC so I'll be putting in a new one once these thunderstorms pass. Hopefully this will fix the starting problem.

 

If it wont start without giving it gas, its possible the tps is bad. search on here and you will find how to test it. also if you used to much tb cleaner in the intake you may have fouled some plugs, pop those out and see if they are wet/dirty.

 

Thanks. I replaced the TPS a little over a year ago just after I bought the jeep. Would it really go bad in a year? Pretty sure I kept everything dry but I'll take a look at the other plugs and sensors as well. Sorry I'm not the biggest expert on mechanics, still learning the basics.
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Replacement sensors are notorious for failing prematurely. Buy mopar sensors.