XJ Cherokee running/starting issues...

4WheelingPlus.com · Oct 9, 2009

Ok... a few years ago I swore I would never own a jeep but long story short I ended up with one that I built for my "wife". :haha:

It went from a bone stock XJ missing the motor, tranny, t-case:

To a fairly capable (not yet tested) off road rig:

My son and I finished it last night. We tested the you know what out of it and then parked it into the garage with big smiles on our faces.

I was so stoked about it that I decided to drive it today and long story short I got a few blocks from home and had to limp back since it was coughing and sputtering.

Now it doesn't have spark. I've replaced the CPS and the coil and still no go.

I've spent all day trying to get it to run again and as of right now it's DEAD! It won't start.

I'm supposed to be loadin it up tomorrow so as to have it ready for our Naches trip Saturday morning.

Any and all suggestions are appreciated.

NotSoPC · Oct 9, 2009

What motor do you have in it now?

Pat · Oct 9, 2009

I'd start by checking all the fuses and relays. Take the tops off the relays (not horn and A/C but the important ones) and have an assistant watch them contacting while you crank the engine.

My jeep has had more problems with fuses and relays than anything else, the ASD circuit is a motherfucker. :haha:

4WheelingPlus.com · Oct 9, 2009

NotSoPC said:
What motor do you have in it now?

stock 4.0L

4WheelingPlus.com · Oct 9, 2009

Pat said:
I'd start by checking all the fuses and relays. Take the tops off the relays (not horn and A/C but the important ones) and have an assistant watch them contacting while you crank the engine.

My jeep has had more problems with fuses and relays than anything else, the ASD circuit is a motherfucker. :haha:

There are 4 relays on the passenger fender. The 2nd one back from the battery clicks like crazy when I try to start it and it keeps clicking for a while after I stop trying to start it. Any idea what that relay is for? I already replaced it but it still clicks.

Also: what is the ASD?

Spanaway Mudder · Oct 9, 2009

can you hear the fuel pump kick on when you first turn the key on? "charging the fuel rails"... if not... change out pump...

Pat · Oct 9, 2009

Spanaway Mudder said:
if not... change out pump...

Don't do this. I own a spare fuel pump because I did this. If the pump isn't working it's more likely that it's not getting power.

Spanaway Mudder · Oct 9, 2009

Pat said:
Don't do this. I own a spare fuel pump because I did this. If the pump isn't working it's more likely that it's not getting power.

yup... if it doest turn on its ALWAYS SOMETHING ELSE!!!:looser:

Iam speaking out of experience....:corn:

Pat · Oct 9, 2009

ASD is the Auto shut down circuit. In order for the fuel pump to work the auto shut down relay and the fuel pump relay BOTH need to close. If they don't the fuel pump won't work AND you won't get any spark.

But if there is pressure at the fuel rail and you can hear the fuel pump whining then this isn't your problem.

Pat · Oct 9, 2009

Spanaway Mudder said:
yup... if it doest turn on its ALWAYS SOMETHING ELSE!!!:looser:

Iam speaking out of experience....:corn:

Not "always" something else... just more likely. There are dozens of reasons for fuel pump to not function, but the pump crapping out is just ONE of them.

I'm also speaking from experience. :flipoff:

4WheelingPlus.com · Oct 9, 2009

I've got decent fuel pressure at the rail.

No spark at the coil.

sorry for short responses... im on my cell phone trying to type. lol

zukkev · Oct 9, 2009

The distributor can be off a tooth and wreak havoc on you!!! I've seen 'em go from running ok, to coughing/sputtering cutting out, and even no start!!! Verify that, and that all the connections are good....

4WheelingPlus.com · Oct 9, 2009

It starts now. Runs really bad. Bad hesitation and missing on at least one plug/injector.

I read somewhere that the CPS has to be aligned perfectly up against the top edge before tightening it down??? Perhaps it's off just enough to cause this runablitiy issue?

It ran really good before I did all of this so I'm guessing the hesitation and missing is related to either the new CPS, new coil or maybe another wire that came loose?

Also have a new fuel leak that wasn't there before. It's at the end of the fuel rail.

AND: I broke the exhaust donut when changing the CPS so now I have a major exhaust leak.

This is fun. :redneck: