1989 Cherokee cranks no start.
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Langley BC
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
1 Post
Year: 1989
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0 L
1989 Cherokee cranks no start.
Hey y’all.
I’ve got a 1989 Jeep Cherokee Renix that is cranking but no start. Has no spark at the plugs, so I assume that’s the problem. Cps was replaced twice, new battery, new distributor cap and rotor, new coil. Getting power all the way up to the distributor, nothing after that. Could the distributor itself be faulty? The rotor is spinning when it cranks but not very fast. Can send a video. Thanks for any help
I’ve got a 1989 Jeep Cherokee Renix that is cranking but no start. Has no spark at the plugs, so I assume that’s the problem. Cps was replaced twice, new battery, new distributor cap and rotor, new coil. Getting power all the way up to the distributor, nothing after that. Could the distributor itself be faulty? The rotor is spinning when it cranks but not very fast. Can send a video. Thanks for any help
#2
Senior Member
When is the last time you cleaned your two main grounds? One is on the dip stick tube and the other is at the back of the head on the driver's side.
This is just a starting point and if they haven't been cleaned lately it can only do good to clean them. Others will probably chime in with more specific questions but don't ignore these grounds. They control a lot of stuff.
This is just a starting point and if they haven't been cleaned lately it can only do good to clean them. Others will probably chime in with more specific questions but don't ignore these grounds. They control a lot of stuff.
#3
::CF Moderator::
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prescott, Az
Posts: 43,971
Received 1,559 Likes
on
1,263 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
#5
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Langley BC
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
1 Post
Year: 1989
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0 L
www.cruiser54.com
Tips 1,3,4, and 5.
Tips 1,3,4, and 5.
#6
::CF Moderator::
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prescott, Az
Posts: 43,971
Received 1,559 Likes
on
1,263 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
The rotor might be bad.
Trending Topics
#8
::CF Moderator::
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prescott, Az
Posts: 43,971
Received 1,559 Likes
on
1,263 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
How are you checking for spark?
I've yet to see a reliable test for the coil/ICM that is reliable. How are you testing?
I've yet to see a reliable test for the coil/ICM that is reliable. How are you testing?
#9
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Langley BC
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
1 Post
Year: 1989
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0 L
Checking for spark the usual way, pull the plug and hold it close to the engine. Only way im checking the coil is with a multimeter. Says it has 12v on the tip of it, but not sure if that means anything. Gonna pick up a used icm tonight and see if swapping does anything
#10
::CF Moderator::
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prescott, Az
Posts: 43,971
Received 1,559 Likes
on
1,263 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Good plan
#11
CF Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,762
Received 470 Likes
on
384 Posts
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Well, you can go the same with the center lead coming from the coil. Be careful. Same voltage but 6x the sparks. You said you had a new coil already.
Is your distributor properly indexed? (I know that would still spark but at the wrong time.)
Is your distributor properly indexed? (I know that would still spark but at the wrong time.)
#12
CF Veteran
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Lost in the wilds of Virginia
Posts: 7,964
Received 957 Likes
on
772 Posts
Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Yes, the distributor itself could be faulty. The speed of the rotor will affect WHEN and WHERE the spark is delivered, but it won't affect whether or not it can jump the gap, If it's not spinining at the correct speed and timing, you aren't going anywhere.
You can't post a video here directly, but if you post it to YouTube, you can post a link here. I think it would be helpful.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: West Covina, Ca.
Posts: 538
Likes: 0
Received 25 Likes
on
21 Posts
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Note from DJ
More clarification needed!
In your post 9 you stated that you were checking for spark by [“Checking for spark the usual way, pull the plug and hold it close to the engine”].
If you are only holding the spark plug close to the engine; you will never see any spark that way; the metal part of spark plug must be making good contact with a good metal grounded part of the engine.
Now if you are talking about the protective part of the spark plug wring that slides over the spark plug that you are holding close to the engine; you need something metal inserted in the protective part of the spark plug wring that is now held close to the engine.
If you are checking for spark this way you need something that has an insulating handle in your hand; if not your body may become the shortest distance for the electricity to travel. This is not a good feeling!
What I use a number two fillips screw driver.
More clarification needed!
In your post 9 you stated that you were checking for spark by [“Checking for spark the usual way, pull the plug and hold it close to the engine”].
If you are only holding the spark plug close to the engine; you will never see any spark that way; the metal part of spark plug must be making good contact with a good metal grounded part of the engine.
Now if you are talking about the protective part of the spark plug wring that slides over the spark plug that you are holding close to the engine; you need something metal inserted in the protective part of the spark plug wring that is now held close to the engine.
If you are checking for spark this way you need something that has an insulating handle in your hand; if not your body may become the shortest distance for the electricity to travel. This is not a good feeling!
What I use a number two fillips screw driver.
The following users liked this post:
BlueRidgeMark (08-28-2021)
#15
CF Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 4,043
Received 1,120 Likes
on
899 Posts
Year: 1989
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0
Are you getting fuel? Smell gas when cranking or the plugs wet? If not, I'd suspect the crank position sensor (cps).