Jeep Cherokee XJ 97 Crank no start sometimes it sputters

[Lenny6]

Originally Posted by LuluBelle

Lenny did you check what rainman posted?
Check for Spark First if you go to a auto sparky it will cost you $$$ you can run all those tests yourself it could be something as simple as a bad coil or a cam sensor
_____ooooo
/__l_l_,\____\,___
l_---l_l__l---[ ]llllll[ ]
_.(o)_)__(o)_)--o-)_)

I checked for spark, have none. Checked for injector power, have none. When I turn the key really fast to start it tries to start but then nothing just crank and crank!! Oooo!! checked for power to the ecu, I have power. Changed CPS, fuel pump, I have pressure 49psi..

Lenny

[alexbrown64]

As per Rainman's post on fault finding, it really looks like the cam sensor. Only a few months ago, my cam sensor went out. The Jeep cranked and cranked and would not start. The cam sensor in the distributor just stopped working. No warning. I had a spare and popped it in in 5 minutes. The jeep burst into life again instantly.
You cant fix or clean it. It looks like a plastic plate in the distributor. Have you swapped it out for a brand new one Len? If you have since fitted a brand new, good quality cam position sensor, and you still have no spark, then we need to look at something else.

Pic of my old cam sensor and new replacement. Looks like an unimportant plastic plate, but will stop the XJ in its tracks if it plays up.

[alexbrown64]

Here are 6 of the important sensors for the Jeep. All these are my brand new spares i keep with the Jeep. Mine is a 1995 4.0, OBD1.

Along time ago, when i was afraid of my Jeep and didn't understand it (and thought the only person who could fix it was the dealer, and parts prices were astronomical), my Jeep broke down and i had to get it towed. The workshop diagnosed a faulty coil and cam sensor. Cost me a bomb. That was 10 years ago. Recently, it stopped suddenly again. Cost me $40 and 5 minutes of my time, using one of my sensors.



First trick is to check for codes, then fault find fuel and spark, then look for potential easy fixes like sensors, wiring, fuses etc. If its mechanical, it will usually let you know by clicking, clucking, overheating, flashing engine lights etc...

Cheers,

[Lenny6]

Originally Posted by LuluBelle

Lenny did you check what rainman posted?
Check for Spark First if you go to a auto sparky it will cost you $$$ you can run all those tests yourself it could be something as simple as a bad coil or a cam sensor
_____ooooo
/__l_l_,\____\,___
l_---l_l__l---[ ]llllll[ ]
_.(o)_)__(o)_)--o-)_)

Yeah I did

Lenny

[Fishframe]

Always check the actual spark plugs as well. My 4.0L TJ can be a little rough on plugs.

[LuluBelle]

Ok Lenny this might sound far out but it happened to me off the injector harness there is wires running down to you upstream O2 sensor if they are not in the correct position they can melt on the exhaust manifold and short blowing a fuse in the PDC? the big fuse box under the bonnet and no go?
Otherwise check all your sensors for a 5 volt circuit But that happened to me and took me ages to figure out
Good Luck
_____ooooo
/__l_l_,\____\,___
l_---l_l__l---[ ]llllll[ ]
_.(o)_)__(o)_)--o-)_)

[awg]

Originally Posted by alexbrown64

Here are 6 of the important sensors for the Jeep. All these are my brand new spares i keep with the Jeep. Mine is a 1995 4.0, OBD1.

Along time ago, when i was afraid of my Jeep and didn't understand it (and thought the only person who could fix it was the dealer, and parts prices were astronomical), my Jeep broke down and i had to get it towed. The workshop diagnosed a faulty coil and cam sensor. Cost me a bomb. That was 10 years ago. Recently, it stopped suddenly again. Cost me $40 and 5 minutes of my time, using one of my sensors.



First trick is to check for codes, then fault find fuel and spark, then look for potential easy fixes like sensors, wiring, fuses etc. If its mechanical, it will usually let you know by clicking, clucking, overheating, flashing engine lights etc...

Cheers,

Hi Alex,

whats the small red box sensor on the front row (far right..lol) ?

Is that a Coolant Sensor ? ...(they changed for the '96 model)

I dont have a spare for that, but do for all the others..also have a PCM
...plug & play fault finding

@ the OP..yes you will need to check the cam sensor next with a multimeter
the procedure is detailed in the FSM, "Index", "Diagnostic, Ignition System"

download the FSM for free off the internet