XJ won't start
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
XJ won't start
Having problems with the jeep. It died after coming to a red light, the jeep idled fine through the light and then sputtered when I stepped back on the gas, the engine kept running though. I turned it off and attempted to crank it back a couple times and it just sputtered and would not turn over.
At this point the jeep will not even attempt to fire, it cranks and cranks and cranks and does not sound like any cylinders are attempting to fire.
The engine was replaced by a reputable mechanic only 3 weeks ago
Its a 96XJ with the new distributor type without the camshaft positioning sensor.
Current status:
Checked spark, getting orange spark at the plug, blue spark at the coil
Checked Fuel Pressure at the rail 40 psi after switch key to on, 55psi when cranking
Things I've done/checked so far:
Replaced CPS
Replaced distributor in the same index as the old one
Replaced Battery terminals
At this point I am at a loss as to what to check next or try next to get this thing to turn over.
Any further suggestions would be immensely appreciated.
At this point the jeep will not even attempt to fire, it cranks and cranks and cranks and does not sound like any cylinders are attempting to fire.
The engine was replaced by a reputable mechanic only 3 weeks ago
Its a 96XJ with the new distributor type without the camshaft positioning sensor.
Current status:
Checked spark, getting orange spark at the plug, blue spark at the coil
Checked Fuel Pressure at the rail 40 psi after switch key to on, 55psi when cranking
Things I've done/checked so far:
Replaced CPS
Replaced distributor in the same index as the old one
Replaced Battery terminals
At this point I am at a loss as to what to check next or try next to get this thing to turn over.
Any further suggestions would be immensely appreciated.
Last edited by jletcher; 05-25-2009 at 02:11 PM.
#3
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
I've checked fuel pressure up to the rail, I have not checked the injectors themselves to make sure they are injecting into the cylinder. When I crank it for a while I do smell a rich fuel smell, and have been purging the cylinders every couple of attempts to make sure I am not flooding it. I was surprised to see however, that when I pull my plugs with the wires disconnected after trying to crank it that there is no noticeable fuel on the plugs themselves.
Should I be seeing gas on the plugs after I crank it if the plug is not wired to the dizzy?
As for the timing, initially I indexed the distributor exactly the same as the distributor I replaced that was timed properly after the engine was replaced. Later after no success I pulled plug one and cranked the engine to the top of the compression stroke and lined the dizzy up with plug 1. Still does not even attempt to start.
Should I be seeing gas on the plugs after I crank it if the plug is not wired to the dizzy?
As for the timing, initially I indexed the distributor exactly the same as the distributor I replaced that was timed properly after the engine was replaced. Later after no success I pulled plug one and cranked the engine to the top of the compression stroke and lined the dizzy up with plug 1. Still does not even attempt to start.
Last edited by jletcher; 05-25-2009 at 02:09 PM.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Punxsutawney Pennsylvania
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Renix 4.0 I6
well yeah there should be gas on the plugs after trying to crank it.. clogged injectors maybe?? timing might not be your issue it just came to mind .. if it was running sluggish and you just replaced the engine id recheck your firing order and the plug wires but look at the injectors too its probably the injectors
The following users liked this post:
revolver (08-02-2019)
#6
CF Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Oak Harbor, WA.
Posts: 6,989
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 liter RENIX I-6, DIY Cold Air Intake, 2.5 FM Exhaust, 3 Core Radiator
You have good fuel pressure at the rail but, you're getting no fuel in the cylinders. Sounds like your injector fire pulse isn't happening. I know you said you swapped the CPS but, I would look into other things that can cause your injectors not to fire..I.E...spray fuel into the cylinders.
Try shooting some starting fluid into the TB. If it attampts to start from that, then you know your not getting fuel from your injectors.
Try shooting some starting fluid into the TB. If it attampts to start from that, then you know your not getting fuel from your injectors.
#7
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posts: 1,964
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
Year: 1994 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I agree with the last poster..Shoot the throttle body ful of starting fluid and try and start it..If it`s just a fuel injection problem you should start and run a few seconds or so after spraying the starting fluid in..Would save a lot more guess work
Trending Topics
#8
Same problem with flooding condition
I'm having similar problem with flooding condition.
Injectors stay on when cranking causing a flooding of the spark plugs.
New Pcm ,cps,h2o,coil,cap,wire,three set of plugs.
Good fuel pressure,good hot blue spark at coil cap and pulgs.
Injectors stay on when cranking causing a flooding of the spark plugs.
New Pcm ,cps,h2o,coil,cap,wire,three set of plugs.
Good fuel pressure,good hot blue spark at coil cap and pulgs.
#9
ORANGE SPARK!!!!!
I am having the exact same issue....
What happened with your truck? I see that no one else commented on your orange spark.... Orange spark = insufficient spark.
#10
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 2 88 XJ/1 86 XJ/ 98 Grand Cherokee
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I know that if your jeep doesnt run at all it could be the Coil! If your Coil goes bad your Jeep will not run at all. Try to check that as well and what the other posters have said.
#11
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Keesler AFB, MS
Posts: 1,640
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1998 XJ
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
just my two cents bc this sounds like the same thing that happened to me with the wifes car. i got in a hurry and was not paying attention. just throwing this question out there.
did you happen to put desiel in it?
did you happen to put desiel in it?
#12
Already has good spark @ the coil (read first post)
The question really is, What is causing good spark @ coil but giving weak spark @ plugs?
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Highlands Ranch Co.
Posts: 717
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1985 shell
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 1996 6 cylinder Briggs & Stratton
#15
Newbie
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Similar problem
I just did a motor swap, hooked everything back up now it only turns over and cuts out never attempts to fire. I have good spark all the way to the end of the coil wire but after the cap it's orange spark and very weak.