tadtv

The day after the main distributor wire broke off on the freeway, and then I put new wires and a distributor cap from Kragen, I got a check engine light. Any connection? What should I look for? Could it be a timing issue? It feels like it has a little less power up hills but that could be my imagination. All cylinders sound like they are firing. I tried the ignition on off thing to read the code, but nothing shows up on the dash. Maybe I'm doing it wrong. Anyone know how to do that as well? Thanks

ol"blue

Welcome to CF. Are you sure you placed the new plug wires in their correct position on the cap, and on the plugs? With the ignition off make sure they're all seated fully on the cap and plugs.
You need to turn the key from the "On" to the "Off" position three times within 5 seconds, stopping in the "On" position. This will explain it for different years of Jeeps and give the list of codes: >->http://go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoECUcodes.htm

Bustedback

How about some info: what year and engine?

tadtv

I've tried to read the code over and over and it's not showing for me. From the off position, I turned to On,off,on,off,on and nothing happened and also On,off,on,off,on,off, ON (last position before the spring loaded start position)

Engine is a six cylinder

all wires were put back in order as best as I could tell. What is the order of the cylinders from radiator back? Also what about the dist cap? what is the order of that. Thanks

kjc

After you do the on/off x 3 key trick, the CEL should flash after a few seconds.. Again, as posted above, model/year/engine info is the LEAST info you should be offering up if you really wan't decent help Here's a pic to check your plug wires. Notice the hold down screws positions for reference.

freegdr

this is correct firing order and screw location unless grang cherokee is different

tadtv

1996 Grand Cherokee, Engine 4.0 liter MPI unleaded

I checked the plug wiring sequence and all is correct. I'm still not sure why I can't get the check engine light to read out. What am I doing wrong?

is "off" the position where you insert the key?

Thanks

ol"blue

Off is just the unlocked position, where no lights are on in the dash, not where you insert the key. That's the locked position.

tadtv

Okay got it. I found another position that I never noticed. After the last stopped position and before the spring loaded start position there was a small momentary contact. On mine I actually went to the last position or slot before the "starter" spring loaded position and then just bounced the key momentarily towards the start position, but not far enough to engage the starter, but enough to find this middle ground. I did that three times and then my digital odometer displayed the code and the check light flashed it. I tried different ways according to posts many times over the last month until I found this. So I hope this helps anyone else confused by all this.

jnicewan

What was the code?

94zjdriver

All that an still no code... :????

tadtv

Code was 12 & 72

dave1123

Better you should get somebody to use a scan tool on it. Auto Zone will do it for free.