1990 comanche no spark
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Kalispell, MT
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
i have spent the last three days reading a bunch of forums trying to figure this out. i have a 1990 comanche 4.0 5 speed. i went to the store the other day and when i came out the jeep wouldn't start. got it home and the first thing i did was replaced the cps with a new one. when that didn't work i changed the coil with a known good one, still no luck. then i cleaned every ground on the motor, still nothing. finally i decided to swap in a different ecu and finally the jeep decided to run, i drove it around for a hour or so and came home. when i went to leave the same thing happened no spark. i'm getting pretty frustrated and would really like to get this jeep back on the road. any advice is appreciated. thanks
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 7,378
Likes: 2
From: Miami, fl
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
So it's crankIng and no spark?
Might be fuel...double check the ground behind the left tail light and switch around the relays to see if you have an malfunctioning one...
Might be fuel...double check the ground behind the left tail light and switch around the relays to see if you have an malfunctioning one...
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,577
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Testing things would be good.
+1000 on the taillight ground.
Ever been to www.cruiser54.com?
do Tips 1,3,4, and 5 for sure.
+1000 on the taillight ground.
Ever been to www.cruiser54.com?
do Tips 1,3,4, and 5 for sure.
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 0
From: college station
Year: 1988
Model: Comanche
Engine: 4.0
Just cause you replaced the CPS it doesn't mean its good. Alot of the Cps from the local parts store are poor quality and have a large failure rate right out of the box. I would do cruisers tip on testing it to make sure its putting out the right parameters before you spend any more money on parts. for sensors you should always go OEM.....
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Kalispell, MT
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
i've done tips 1,3,4, and 5 also tested the cps and got a reading of .3 ac volts.
Testing things would be good.
+1000 on the taillight ground.
Ever been to www.cruiser54.com?
do Tips 1,3,4, and 5 for sure.
+1000 on the taillight ground.
Ever been to www.cruiser54.com?
do Tips 1,3,4, and 5 for sure.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Kalispell, MT
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Trending Topics
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,577
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
The factory had a service bulletin to replace the harness between the CPS and eCU. Part of the instructions stated that the old connector should be removed. some techs didn't do that...
Hence, some poor sap like you or me plugs a new cPS into dead harness.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Kalispell, MT
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
took apart two of the ecu's and this is what i found on both. something is shorting it out. not sure what but i definitely do not want to burn up another one.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Kalispell, MT
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Kalispell, MT
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
i disconnected everything down there and pulled the harness up. took back the sheathing around the wiring and inspected them up to where they meet the injectors and did not see anything wrong. other then the knock sensor wiring has three wires and one of them was completely bare the whole way.


