Stock Grand Cherokee Tech. All ZJ/WJ/WK Non-modified/stock questions go here! ZJ (93-98), WJ (99-04), WK (05+)
All ZJ/WJ/WK specific tech questions asked here!

94 ZJ 5.2 will not start - several questions

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-04-2011, 03:33 PM
  #1  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
celtuckian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Harrodsburg, KY
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1994
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.2l V8
Default 94 ZJ 5.2 will not start - several questions

I have a '94 Grand Cherokee Laredo with the 5.2L. One day it decided to be difficult to start, but finally did after cranking for a while. Then things were okay for a couple of days and then it did it again.

It was acting as if it was a fuel pump, but since I had just filled the tank and didn't to fool with dropping a full fuel tank, I decided to first make sure something else wasn't wrong.

Long story short - I get spark to the distributor, but I do not get spark to the plugs. After several searches on here and reading several posts about similar problems, the following items have been replaced:

New distributor cap
New rotor
New crank position sensor
New coil pick-up/cam position sensor (whatever you want to call it)
New spark plugs
New fuel filter
New timing chain and gears
Checked Automatic Shut-Down relay (it is working fine)
Checked relay to fuel pump (it is working fime

Now for the questions...
What should fuel pressure at the rail be when the ignition is turned on but engine not running?
How do you check a crank position sensor to determine whether it is functioning properly or not?
How do you check a coil pick-up/cam position sensor (again, whatever you want to call it) to determine if it is functioning properly?
Why will this thing not start?

Sorry for the long post, but I am chasing my tail and having no luck.

Thanks,
Old 12-05-2011, 12:35 AM
  #2  
Member
 
94zjdriver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Indianapolis Indiana
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1994
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.2
Default

I had a simular issue with mine.. would stall and then run good for a couple of days. then stall agian and run good for a couple of day... finally got to the place it would hardly get out of its own way... put in new fuel pump... like new again.. just saying.
Old 12-05-2011, 11:35 AM
  #3  
CF Veteran
 
ol"blue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Tenn. and Mich.
Posts: 28,068
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Year: 2004
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.7L V8
Default

To check the crank sensor:


Old 12-07-2011, 11:32 AM
  #4  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
celtuckian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Harrodsburg, KY
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1994
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.2l V8
Default

Thanks, Ol' BLue. This will definitely prove helpful.

As it turns out, I finally conceded to let the local mechanic take a look at it as I didn't have the time to do the diagnosis, nor the inclination to stand out in the rain (I have no garage).

The problem ended up being the coil. It had enough juice to create a spark at the distributor cap, but not enough to push it through the remainder of the electronics, etc. to the spark plugs. Very frustrating (and expensive, by the time I replaced all the aforementioned parts).

But...problem solved. Bad coil.
Old 12-07-2011, 11:56 AM
  #5  
CF Veteran
 
ol"blue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Tenn. and Mich.
Posts: 28,068
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Year: 2004
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.7L V8
Default

Originally Posted by celtuckian
Thanks, Ol' BLue. This will definitely prove helpful.

As it turns out, I finally conceded to let the local mechanic take a look at it as I didn't have the time to do the diagnosis, nor the inclination to stand out in the rain (I have no garage).

The problem ended up being the coil. It had enough juice to create a spark at the distributor cap, but not enough to push it through the remainder of the electronics, etc. to the spark plugs. Very frustrating (and expensive, by the time I replaced all the aforementioned parts).

But...problem solved. Bad coil.
Oh well, glad you've got it running again.
Old 12-07-2011, 12:27 PM
  #6  
CF Veteran
 
Bustedback's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oroville, CA
Posts: 12,367
Likes: 0
Received 19 Likes on 18 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 with all of the noise and clatter
Default

You're good for another 100k now.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
investinwaffles
Modified XJ Cherokee Tech
11
05-18-2021 12:02 PM
madmanmarty
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
30
08-30-2015 03:17 PM
Tompop
Stock Grand Cherokee Tech. All ZJ/WJ/WK Non-modified/stock questions go here!
16
08-25-2015 03:35 PM
JPXJMOAB
Stock Grand Cherokee Tech. All ZJ/WJ/WK Non-modified/stock questions go here!
5
08-21-2015 08:05 PM

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


Quick Reply: 94 ZJ 5.2 will not start - several questions



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:15 PM.