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98 Grand Cherokee died while driving, cranks but won't start

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Old May 19, 2015 | 06:09 PM
  #1  
wsc803's Avatar
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Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I-6
Default 98 Grand Cherokee died while driving, cranks but won't start

Hello everyone!

Looking for some help. My 1998 Grand Cherokee (4.0, I-6, automatic) cut out while driving today, less than a half mile from home, from a cold start. Left me right in the middle of a 4-lane road. I was driving along and it sputtered slightly and just cut out, almost like I had accidentally knocked it into neutral (except no RPMs) but I was still in drive. All electronics work. It cranks and turns over, but won't start.

From what I can research (and I've got limited knowledge) it might be the crank sensor?

A useful tidbit of info is that I got my oil changed 2 days ago (6 new quarts) but the oil is low for some reason?

-gas tank is over 1/2 full
-can't use key trick because it's a 98
-no check engine light
-oil gauge is low (was fine yesterday)
-voltage gauge is low
-retraced my path, didn't see any trails of fluid that I left, or nothing new where I parked it last night

This was over 4 hours ago, it's at the gas station a half mile away. Walked back 10 minutes ago and still nothing. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
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Old May 19, 2015 | 07:22 PM
  #2  
watertrucker's Avatar
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Joined: Nov 2014
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From: Imperial Valley Ca.
Year: 1996
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.2 V8
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You might check the bulkhead connections on your pcm( computer) It's located behind your coolant recovery bottle. My 96 ZJ has a plastic cover on it. The Grand Cherokee is famous for dying when those connections come loose or get dirty or corroded.
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Old May 20, 2015 | 08:41 PM
  #3  
dave1123's Avatar
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 14,398
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From: Manlius, east of Syracuse, NY
Year: 2000 XJ Sport & WJ Laredo
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0L
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I agree with watertrucker except the low voltage has me concerned. I think you should start by charging the battery and load testing it. You may also have a loose or corroded battery cable going to the power center/relay box. That's the smaller red wire from the battery cable clamp to the PDC (power distribution center/ relay and fuse box under the hood). That supplies power to everything besides the starter.
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