Jeep Cherokee XJ 97 Crank no start sometimes it sputters

[rainman]

the earlist is the build date, the later the australian compliance plate date.

[Jonny Jeep]

Look at the tenth digit of your VIN to find out your model year.

T=1996, V=1997.

[Lenny6]

Originally Posted by alexbrown64

That should be an easy one.

First, use the key trick... Turn your ignition on and off 3 times. On the third time, leave the ignition on and read the codes on the dash. It might give you a hint to what could be the problem.

You have checked fuel pressure, so i believe you are OK there. I am really suspecting the distributor. It could be as simple as the rotor button and/or cap. I have had rotor buttons eaten up on my XJ.

Also, the Cam position sensor in there could of gone out. Cheap to replace. Mine cut out a few months ago and no start at all!! 5 minute fix once i got the part.

Also, had a coil go out once, so check that.. and the lead from the coil to distributor. So you may need a helper to crank the Jeep while checking for a good spark from coil to distributor, then good sparks from each of the leads out of the distributor.

Good luck,

Cheers,

Tried that the engine light won't stay on long enough for me to get codes

Len

[oldon]

On my '96 using the key dance it flashes codes after the fifth turn on.

[awg]

Originally Posted by alexbrown64

My XJ is finally running the best it has ever done in 12 years. I’m not touching it at the moment for fear of upsetting her.

Cheers,

I dunno whether ur even meant to say that



for fault diagnosis, it doesnt matter whether its a 96 or 97, as they are both OBD2..so download the 97 manual

but for the record, the OZ VIN plate dont mean sh!t, the brass oval plate on the firewall is your year

a '96 should have the pre-update body shape

[alexbrown64]

Have you OBD2 guys found a good Elm327 code reader that works on the port.
With my OBD1, i just use the key trick, but i did watch a youtube vid for OBD2 that used the same trick, but the codes came up on the dash, (unlike the the OBD1 where you have to decipher the flashes).

Cheers,

[rainman]

if you do the key dance to get codes. you will get a 55 code at least.
if you dont yr doing it wrong. keep trying.