Howdy folks -

Usually I would do extensive searching before I threw this out there but I'm stuck in a bad parking spot and need to move.

I left the interior light on my '99 XJ the other day and drained the battery. For the past two days I've been trying to jump start it to no avail. It's been so darn cold here (below 30 for days) that I chalked it up to the weather.

Now it's warm and I have a brand-new jumper box and the thing still won't start.

It sounds like it's TRYING to turn over, but it's just not making it.

Any ideas offhand?

Thanks!

 

Cranking strongly. Have dash indicators and lights working when hooked up to jump-pack.

Read about the CPS but I have voltage and fuel readings.

How can I check my spark?

 

Not a lot to try.

START = FUEL + SPARK + CRANK

You said its "trying to start" so the starter seems OK.

Need to figure out if its Fuel or Spark.

You can inspect/wiggle spark plug wires, or try to get a screwdriver/pliers to see if the spark plug is firing....or you can try to get the fuel line off the fuel rail to see if there's gas.

Most common cause of no spark = CPS

Most common cause of no fuel is clogged or bad fuel pump

None are "quickly" fixed.

 

This involves taking the sparkplug out completely? I smell gas, so I don't think it's fuel.

Tried to start it in Neutral (no dice), so Neutral Position switch eliminated?

 

howdy,

replace fuel filter? maybe?


good luck sir, i feel your pain!

cpnwrench

 

oh yeah,


real cold out......that "dry-gas" bottle stuff you put in your gas tank to evaporate the moisture... maybe ?

or your "jump-pack" ain't got the oooomph you need to stay on your battery...get another car or truck and jumper to it for a good ten minutes then try.....

just a suggestion sir!

cpnwrench

 

Put the tranny in neutral and take the ebrake off and start pushing.

No but really if it isnt cranking fast enough with the jumper pack then you probably just need to get another car there, jump the battery for a good 10-15 mins and then try to start it. If it still doesnt start, Check for spark first then check fuel pressure

edit: and possibly get it into a warmer place where the battery has some power in it

 

Pull your fuel pump relay out, and then crank it for a bit to see if it starts.
Mine pulls the ( Screw you i'm flooded) once in a while when it gets cold!!!!
If it fires up it will die right away--- No fuel because you pulled the relay....
Put the relay back and start it up again
Hope this helps