Hello everyone. I inherited a 1996 Orvis edition Cherokee with the 5.2L V8 a while back. A week ago, I accidently left the rear door slightly opened on a cold night. The next day, it would not start. It cranks, but never seems to 'catch'. Here is a list of things I have checked thus far:

- I tried jump starting the vehicle: It just continued to turn over, but never actually started.
- I checked for fuel pressure by removing the schrader valve and pressing on it: fuel squirted out. Additional pressure is available after each attempt to start the vehicle.
- I removed a spark plug wire, attached an old spark plug, and had someone else turn over the motor while I held the spark plug to the exhaust manifold: I witnessed spark.
- I tried the battery from my truck to see if jumping wasn't working: the vehicle behaved the same with either battery.
- I turned the key in the passenger door lock several times to see if the security mode had been enabled: no change in behavior.

I purchased a crankshaft position sensor after searching the forums (LINK), but even with the vehicle jacked up and pictures for reference, I cannot even see the physical part. I hope this isn't the issue. Also, I replaced the spark plugs a month ago and it had been running great prior to this incident.

Can anyone please provide some further troubleshooting assistance? Once again, this is for the 5.2L engine.

Thanks!

Khrannok

 

From what I have read in my 1996 Grand Cherokee Service Manual I don't believe it is your CKS. If it is bad you will not get spark as it's job is to send a signal to the computer which in turns sends a signal to the coil and distributor to set the proper spark.

You are right about not seeing the CKS as it is a very frustrating job to remove. I never actually saw mine until I got it out and it took several hours. I had hoped the Factory Manual would give removal tips but it didn't. Now that I've done it once I would suggest removing the cross member under the tranny so you can lower the front of the tranny. Then working from the top, remove the valve cover, plug wires and exhaust manifold and you just might be able to see it. Finding the pigtail where it plugs into the wiring harness is also a challenge as it's back behind the distributor on the drivers side.

Other things you can check are the Automatic Shutdown Relay, security alarm system and simply disconnecting the battery for a minimum of 20 minutes to reset the system.

Best of luck.

 

What is your fuel pressure? You're not getting fuel if you have spark and still no starting. Could be an ASD relay, blown fuse, bad fuel pump, or out of gas. Could even be in theft shutdown mode.

 

Possible the anti theft system is not letting it start?

 

Colorado Jim, thanks for the tip about is likely not being the crankshaft position sensor. I will move on to other items for the time being. I have done the following:

- I performed the security alarm reset procedures located HERE and HERE; however, neither process resolved the issue.
- I disconnected the battery for 30+ minutes and reconnected. This did not resolve the issue.
- I swapped out the horn's relay with the ASD's, because they had the same part number. This did not resolve the issue.

Bustedback, I purchased a fuel pressure gauge, and attached it to the schrader valve. I turned the key to the on position (without cranking) and pressure was about 7 PSI. It shoots up to ~37 PSI when I crank the engine. It holds pressure for a long time.

89cherokee479, as I indicated to Colorado Jim above, I performed the two procedures for resetting the anti theft system, but neither resolved the issue. I was really hoping it was something this trivial too.

I've also replaced the fuel filter located behind the driver side tire. There was some filthy stuff coming out of the intake side, but the outtake side was clean. Unfortunately, this did not resolve the issue.

Thanks for the feedback thus far. I'm still not willing to throw in the towel!

Khrannok

 

Inside your distributor is a camshaft position sensor. It's job is to send a signal to the computer (PCM) to coordinate the firing of the fuel injectors. Since you have spark and you have fuel pressure maybe the injectors arn't firing at the right time or are not firing at all. By firing I mean injecting fuel.

 

Ever figure out the problem here?